LADBS Permit Search by Address - Free LA Permit Lookup
Search building permits, plan check status, and permit history for any Los Angeles property - instantly and free
Search Permits
Enter a property address to find all permit records
Permit Records
View all building permits issued for the property including status and details.
Plan Check Status
Track plan check progress for pending permits and applications.
Permit History
Access historical permit data and completed project information.
How to Use the LADBS Permit Search Tool
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) maintains a public database of every building permit issued in the City of Los Angeles. Our free permit search tool queries that database by property address and returns all permit records - active, expired, finaled, and in-plan-check.
To use the tool, simply enter a full property address (including street number, street name, and "Los Angeles, CA") and click Search. Results include permit type, permit number, issue date, expiration date, status, and scope of work.
What You Can Find With an LADBS Permit Lookup
- Building permits for new construction, additions, and alterations
- Plan check status - whether plans are approved, pending, or corrections required
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits
- Permit history dating back decades for any LA address
- Open permits that may need to be finaled before selling
- Unpermitted work indicators - additions or improvements without corresponding permits
Why Search Permits Before Buying or Selling in LA
A permit search is one of the most important steps in any Los Angeles real estate transaction. Unpermitted work is extremely common in LA - estimates suggest 30-40% of all single-family homes in the city have some form of work done without proper permits.
Running a permit search before buying protects you from inheriting someone else's code violations. Running one before selling lets you find and address open permits before they delay escrow or reduce your sale price.
Frequently Asked Questions - LADBS Permit Search
Is the LADBS permit search free?
Yes - both this tool and the official LADBS website provide free permit searches for any property in the City of Los Angeles. No account or login is required.
How far back does LADBS permit history go?
LADBS digital permit records go back to the 1980s for most properties. Some older permits from the 1960s-70s may be available in scanned format. Records before that era are typically not in the digital system.
What does "permit finaled" mean in LADBS?
"Finaled" means the work covered by the permit was completed, all inspections were passed, and the permit was officially closed. A permit that is issued but not finaled may indicate work that was started but never completed or inspected - which can be a red flag for buyers.
Can I search permits for unincorporated LA County?
Unincorporated areas of LA County (not within a city) are handled by the LA County Department of Regional Planning and Building and Safety - a separate system from LADBS. Our tool covers the City of Los Angeles. For county unincorporated areas, use the LA County permit portal.
What should I do if I find unpermitted work?
If your permit search reveals construction with no corresponding permit, you have several options: apply for a retroactive permit, use LA's ADU amnesty program (for garage conversions and unpermitted units), or hire a licensed compliance contractor. CCS Inc specializes in exactly this - contact our team for a free consultation.
How long does it take to pull a building permit in Los Angeles?
Standard LADBS plan check takes 4-8 weeks for residential projects. Express plan check (EPX) can approve simple projects same-day or within a week. ADU permits under SB 543 now have a 15-business-day guarantee for review. Use our Permit Timeline Estimator to get a project-specific estimate.
Need Permit Assistance?
Our team can help you navigate the permit process, file applications, and track your permits through completion.
