Building & Safety Division

Overview

The Building & Safety Division is responsible for building and safety standards for all construction in the City. It is charged with safeguarding life or limb, health, property, and public welfare. This is accomplished by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures and certain equipment through the enforcement of the California Building Code (CBC). The Building & Safety Division provides enforcement through building permits, plan review, and field inspections of new building construction and building alterations or renovations.

The CBC regulates all construction activity within Hawaiian Gardens and regulates building, fire, mechanical, plumbing, green building, and electrical construction codes. The CBC requires that no building or structure shall be built, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved upon, converted or demolished without first obtaining a separate building permit for each building or structure.

Building Inspection & Assistance

Building Inspections are conducted on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please note, inspections are not conducted in any specific order or time unless prior arrangements are made with the Building Inspector. Requests for inspections must be made at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the inspection date by calling (562) 420-2641 extension 224.

Minor Building Plan Checks may be done over the counter, by appointment only by calling (562) 420-2641 ext. 224

Applications

Accessibility Information Bulletins

Construction Information Bulletins

Construction & Demolition Recycling

Helpful tips for contractors and residents.

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION RECYCLING CHECKLIST

Complete C&D Waste Management Plan Forms & submit to the CDD- Building Department
Contact Waste Resources Inc. at (888) 467-7600.
Retain copies of all hauling and disposal tickets/receipts
Submit the Post-Project Form and all disposal tickets/receipts to the CDD– Building Department

UNIVERSAL WASTE RECYCLING IS REQUIRED

Beginning January 1, 2017, universal waste must be properly managed for all newly constructed buildings, and tenant improvements over 1,000 square feet per CALGreen Section 301.3 Universal waste includes items such as mercury thermostats, batteries, CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes and ballasts.

Proper disposal of universal waste must be documented and submitted to the City upon request. Please retain all recycling receipts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a recycling requirement?

The California Green Building Code (2019 Cal Green) requires all new residential, commercial, and mixed use construction projects in California to divert a minimum of 65 percent of construction and demolition (C&D) waste from landfills.

C&D represents a significant part of the solid waste stream. The majority of the C&D material can be reused or recycled, conserving natural resources and saving valuable landfill space.

Who can I hire to haul waste?

Waste Resources is the exclusive hauler of all solid waste for the City of Hawaiian Gardens. Waste Resources has all of the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance to conduct business in the City. They can be reached by calling:(888) 467-7600.

Can I use a hauler that is not authorized by the City?

No, C&D debris must be hauled by the authorized hauler Waste Resources, Inc. Use of an unauthorized hauler will be considered illegal hauling and may put your building permit in jeopardy.

Can I self-haul material?

Self-hauling is permitted in certain instances. If you would like to self-haul material from your project, please contact the Building Dept. at (562) 420-2641 ext. 224

Electrical Information Bulletins

Fire Information Bulletins

Fees

Fees for a proposed project will depend on the size and complexity of the project, and are calculated using the Los Angeles County current fee and multiplied by the following factors:

Building Permits – Los Angeles County Title 26 , multiplied by factor 1.30
Electrical Permits – Los Angeles County Title 27, multiplied by factor 1.30
Plumbing Permits – Los Angeles County Title 28, multiplied by factor 1.30
Mechanical Permits – Los Angeles County Title 29, multiplied by factor 1.30

Internet Links

Solar Power Permit (Residential)

SolarAPP+ Process:

Residential solar projects are now able to apply for permits online with the help of SolarAPP+, a web-based portal for residential solar energy system installations, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to automate project plan reviews, receive and automated permit, pay fees online, and schedule inspections.

SolarAPP+ Process

Submit for automated review through SolarAPP+.

o Register or sign in to SolarAPP+

o Submit design

o Pay permit fees (per project)

o Download SolarAPP+ Approval Document

Submit SolarAPP+ Permit application to the City.

o Email your permit from solarapp+ along with the checklist, and a single line drawing to buildingtech@hgcity.org

Schedule the inspection online.

o Building Inspections For how to schedule inspections please see the Building and Safety Division Page.

o Fire Department Inspections Per LA County Fire Department Memorandum, it is required to obtain Fire Department final prior to use of the PV and ESS installation. See Fire Department requirements as well as how to schedule final inspection with LA County Fire Department. The applicant for this construction permit shall contact the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division to schedule and pass an inspection prior to use of the PV or ESS installations. LACFD Expedited-Permitting for Photovoltaic and Energy Storage System Installations. If the link is not working, please contact (323) 890-4125.

City Website Process:

The City of Hawaiian Gardens seeks to implement AB 2188 through the creation of an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems means all of the following:

A solar energy system that is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal.
A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesigned from time to time.
A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling.
A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code.

To see if your project qualifies for the streamlined permitting process please see the submittal requirements and eligibility checklist below. If your project qualifies, please follow the submittal requirements in detail, and you may email the entire package to buildingtech@hgcity.org. Prior to processing your application a full payment in the amount of $407.57 is required. Payments are accepted online or in person at the City of Hawaiian Gardens Community Development Department. Should you have any questions please contact the Community Development Department at (562) 420-2641.

Office Hours