Building & Safety Division

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Overview

The Building & Safety Division regulates construction and occupancy of all residential, commercial and institutional buildings in order to ensure life, fire and health safety. Prior to issuance of building permits, the Building & Safety Division performs plan check of all proposed construction projects which includes additions, and alterations to existing buildings. Field inspections are performed on all new construction, additions, alterations and demolitions for compliance with all structural, fire, energy and life safety requirements.

Responsibilities

Plan Review: We review all proposed construction projects (including additions and alterations) before issuing building permits to ensure they meet structural, fire, energy, and life safety requirements.
Field Inspections: We conduct on-site inspections for new construction, additions, alterations, and demolitions to ensure compliance with standards and requirements.
Public Assistance: We also provide the general public with basic construction information, seismic safety information, calculating of fees, and issuing building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and demolition permits.

Upcoming Changes

Please note: The updated fee schedule for the Community Development Department will be in effect on July 1, 2025. On June 24, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2606, adopting the Fiscal Year 2025-26 schedule of Community Development Department and Public Works Department Fees and Charges.

Building Fees FY25-26

On November 12, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2589 to amend the Comprehensive Schedule of Municipal Fees and Charges for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025, and Resolution No. 2590 adopting a user fee cost recovery level policy for all City departments.

Contact Information

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For general Building & Safety inquiries, please email planning@rollinghillsestates.gov or call (310) 377-1577, ext. 105
For inspections, please email Manny.Rodriguez@willdan.com

Building Permit Process

BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS

The City of Rolling Hills Estates is a contract city and utilizes Willdan for Building and Safety services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has implemented an electronic building permit process to ensure that construction activity continues uninterrupted.

Electronic submittal of plans is strongly encouraged. If submittal of hard copy plans is necessary, please visit City Hall at 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274. Appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled by calling (310) 377-1577 ext. 105.

Please choose the form from the list below that applies to your project and send the form and required plans/documents by email to planning@rollinghillsestates.gov.

See RESOURCES below for available rebate programs.

STEP 1

Minor Work Zone Clearance Form
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)- Fully dimensioned plans (Include: site plan indicating existing and proposed lot coverage; building elevations; floor plan); completed Project Statistics form; one set of plans signed by HOA and adjacent neighbors.
- Small Additions- Fully dimensioned plans required. (Include: site plan indicating existing and proposed lot coverage; building elevations; floor plan);completed Project Statistics form; one set of plans signed by HOA and adjacent neighbors.
- Interior Remodel- Fully dimensioned plans required (Include: existing and proposed floor plans).
- Tenant Improvement- Fully dimensioned plans required (Include: building elevations; floor plan); approval letter from Property Owner or Property Management Company.
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sewer work
- Window, doors (new or replacement)
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems- Plans required (unless project qualifies for SolarAPP+ submittal)
- Solar battery storage systems- Plans required (unless project qualifies for SolarAPP+ submittal) Please note: Prior to submitting to Building & Safety, plans must be reviewed and approved by the Los Angeles County Fire Prevention Bureau. Please contact their office at (310) 830-9596)

Minor Work Zone Form and Underground Utility Waiver Request Form- Electrical panel upgrades for properties with overhead electrical service line.

Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charger Application- Installation of EV chargers for commercial and residential use.

Reroof Request Application- Roof covering and repairs.

STEP 2

Obtain Homeowners' Association (HOA) review (if required). Please contact your HOA and submit reviewed form along with the Minor Work Zone Clearance form. HOA Review Form

STEP 3

Obtain a current business license:https://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/departments/administrative-services/business-licens e.

STEP 4

Once Planning has approved the project, forward application materials to bkoch@willdan.com.

STEP 5

Building and Safety will confirm via email, the permit fees. Please make checks payable to the City of Rolling Hills Estates and please note the project address in the memo section of check.

Payments may be made in person or by mail to:
City of Rolling Hills Estates
Att: Finance Department
4045 Palos Verdes Drive North
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

For Credit/Debit Card Payments, please call 310-377-1577

STEP 6

Permits will be issued electronically once the check is received.

SolarAPP+ Automated Solar Plan Review

SolarAPP+ Automated Solar Plan Reviews

NEW! SolarAPP+ can now process Solar+Battery Storage projects!

The City of Rolling Hills Estates is now offering automated solar plan review and instant permit issuance for qualifying residential, roof-mounted photovoltaic systems and systems with battery storage. Licensed Contractors or installers may utilize the new online SolarAPP+ platform.

What is SolarAPP+

An automated online application for instantaneous permitting of new residential rooftop solar systems.

Why Use SolarAPP+

Obtain a permit without needing a full plan diagram
Lower your costs, including three free revisions
Expedites installation with instantaneous permit issuance once you've completed the application

As a result, SolarAPP+ lowers costs and expedites solar installations, encouraging property owners to invest in generating renewable and sustainable energy. To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the Eligibility Checklist. Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated SolarAPP+ portal for instant permitting. All other solar/PV installations require a regular Building Permit.

Los Angeles County Fire Department

If your project includes an Energy Storage System (ESS) component, your project will be required to complete an inspection with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division provides expedited-permitting for Photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage System (ESS) Installations, for qualified projects. All PV and ESS must be in compliance with the latest version of the Los Angeles County Fire Code. All PV and ESS-related references are provided at: https://fire.lacounty.gov/fire-prevention-expeditedpvess/

Applicants must contact the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division to schedule and pass an inspection prior to use of the PV and ESS installations. The Regional Unit that serves the City of Rolling Hills Estates is the Carson office.

On March 26, 2024, the County of Los Angeles provided Code clarifications regarding Residential ESS "Unit" - Based Provisions.

How to Get Started

If you are a licensed contractor or installer, you may register and submit your design through the SolarAPP+ webpage (Non-licensed/owner-builders must apply for a regular Building Permit).
A processing fee will be charged by SolarAPP+ and all permit fees will be collected through the permitting platform. Once all fees have been paid, the permit will be issued.
Download the approved plans and get to work.

Schedule Inspections

If your project includes ESS: (1) contact the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, Carson office, to schedule the project's inspection for compliance with the Los Angeles County Fire Codes; and (2) contact the City of Rolling Hills Estates, Building and Safety Division, to schedule the project's inspection for compliance with the CA Building Codes.
If your project does not include ESS, please contact the City of Rolling Hills Estates, Building and Safety Division, to schedule the project's inspection for compliance with the CA Building Codes.
Building inspections for permitted work are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Accommodations can be made, if inspections are required on Mondays.
Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day inspection requests cannot be accommodated.
Next day inspection requests must be emailed to Manny.Rodriguez@willdan.com by 3pm. Inspections are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only.
Please provide the job address, permit number, type of inspection, and the day which you are requesting. The inspector will contact the requesting party for confirmation with the date and timeframe.
Please ensure that a printed copy or digital copy of the permit approval and job card are at the site at all times, and available for the inspector during the scheduled inspection. Failure to have the approved SolarAPP+ issued permit will result in a failed inspection and possible reinspection fee.

SolarApp+ Tutorials

Inspections

Building inspections for permitted work are currently available for Rolling Hills Estates from Tuesday-Friday.

INSPECTION REQUEST INFORMATION (PDF)

All inspection requests MUST be emailed to Manny.Rodriguez@willdan.com.
Please provide the job address, permit number, the type of inspection, and the day which you are requesting.
The Building Inspector will contact you for confirmation with day and a time-frame.
A request for next day inspection must be submitted before 3pm.
Please be sure to have a printed copy, or digital copy, of the approved plans.
Please have a printed copy of the permits & job card at the site. Field or working plans without plan-check approved stamps will not be accepted. No exceptions. Failure to have these will result in a failed inspection and possible reinspection fee.

Please note: Certain projects may require Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide alarm inspections. Click here for more information.

Handouts and Forms

Codes

The City of Rolling Hills Estates has adopted by reference, the following Los Angeles County Codes:

Building Code
Electrical Code
Plumbing Code
Mechanical Code
Residential Code
Green Building Standards Code
Existing Building Code

Title 15 of the Rolling Hills Estates Municipal Code contains references to the County Codes, as well as local provisions.

To View County of Los Angeles Code Amendments:

Municipal Codes Library by Lexis Nexis

Current Codes

Effective January 1, 2023

2022 County of Los Angeles Building Code (Title 26)
2022 County of Los Angeles Electrical Code (Title 27)
2022 County of Los Angeles Plumbing Code (Title 28)
2022 County of Los Angeles Mechanical Code (Title 29)
2022 County of Los Angeles Residential Code (Title 30)
2022 County of Los Angeles Green Building Standards Code (Title 31)
2022 County of Los Angeles Existing Building Code (Title 33)

Enforcement of the provisions of each Code begins on the effective date listed above for projects with an application date on or after their respective effective date. Each Code incorporates local County of Los Angeles amendments and the respective State and model codes.

Purchasing County of Los Angeles Building Standards Code

Building, Residential, Green Building Standards, and Electrical Codes

International Code Council – Los Angeles Regional Office
5360 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601-2298
1-800-422-7233
ICC Website

BNI Building News
1-888-BNI-BOOKS BNI Website

Mechanical and Plumbing Codes

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
5001 E. Philadelphia Street
Ontario, CA 91761-2816
1-800-85-IAPMO
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Website

2022 Code Updates

The California Building Standards Commission (hereinafter the “Building Standards Commission”) is an independent commission within the State Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency responsible for reviewing, adopting, and publishing building standards for the State of California. The Building Standards Commission adopts a compilation of updated building regulations every three years. These Codes include the:

California Fire Code
California Building Code
California Residential Code
California Electrical Code
California Mechanical Code
California Plumbing Code
California Energy Code
California Existing Building Code
California Referenced Standards Code
California Green Building Standards Code

The State of California Title 24 construction codes are typically updated and published on a three- year cycle. The International Code Council publishes the base codes in 2021, titled the 2021 International Building Code, the 2021 International Residential Code, etc. Then the various California regulatory agencies such as: the State Fire Marshal’s office; the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD); the Division of the State Architect (DSA); and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) review and amend these base codes and republish them as the California Building Codes, Parts 1 through 12. The Building Standards Commission then publishes these triennial code updates, typically on July 1^st, and State law mandates that these codes become effective throughout California 180 days after that publication date.

For this latest cycle, the publication date was July 1, 2022, meaning that the current cycle of State construction codes take effect on January 1, 2023. This is done in order to foster uniformity in fire prevention, life/safety, and construction standards statewide. Local jurisdictions are permitted to use that ensuing 180 days after publication to review and amend the California published codes based on local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.

The 2022 Codes became effective on January 1, 2023 and apply to any project submitted for plan check thereafter. On November 15, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted the necessary Ordinances to adopt by reference the 2022 California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential, Green Building Standards, and Existing Building Codes, with amendments.

For specific Building Code questions, please contact Sarkis Nazerian, Building Official at SNazerian@willdan.com.

Resources

Low Impact Development Standards Manual
LA County Consolidated Sanitary Sewer Maintenance District Maps
LA County Assessor's Maps (Parcel Maps)
LA County Land Records Viewer (Corner Records, Tract Maps, etc.)

Rebate Programs

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) - Sun Storage Rebate: CPA's Sun Storage Rebate offers residential customers up to $750 ($250 extra for income-eligible) for installing eligible solar battery systems.

Fees