Scheduling inspections online through the Accela permitting portal is quick and simple. A guide for scheduling inspections online can be found here.

Our building services technicians will be happy to provide you with an estimate of your permit fees via email, within 24 hours of your request. See Fee Schedules & Forms for a copy of the fees.

The following are the fees that may apply to your project: 
    > Building Permit Fees 
    > Miscellaneous Permit Fees
    > Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Permits
    > Development Impact Fees 
    > Engineering Services Fees 

All new commercial and residential developments and additions exceeding 500 square feet must remit school fees. These fees are paid directly to the public school district the project is located in; either Eastside Union School District, Lancaster School District, or Westside Union School District; and to Antelope Valley High School District Office located at 44811 Sierra Highway in Lancaster. Phone (661) 948-7655. If required for your permit, please bring your receipt to Building and Safety for proof of compliance and payment of fees.

Los Angeles County Sewer Connection Fee
A sewer connection fee is applicable when new connections are made to the sewer. These fees are paid directly to Los Angeles County Sanitation District located at 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whitter. Phone (562) 699-7411. If required for your permit, please bring your receipt to Building and Safety for proof of compliance and payment of fees.

Contact Building & Safety permit staff to assist in resetting Accela passwords either by email: permits@cityoflancasterca.gov or phone: (661) 723-6144.

See the attached guide for how to find documents.

Try searching by the property’s APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number). If that does not work, contact the Building and Safety permit technicians and someone will assist you: permits@cityoflancasterca.gov

Contact a Building and Safety permit technician to obtain a CE permit for the required repairs or to “legalize” unpermitted construction: permits@cityoflancasterca.gov. Provide a copy of the violation notice to Building and Safety staff along with a completed permit application and any required plans.

Building & Safety does not require permits for residential fences less than 7 feet tall. Planning may have other requirements for fence heights depending upon the location of the proposed fence. Planning has guidelines for fences in the Municipal Code.

One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses do not require permits if the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.

Only a property owner who lives at the property or a properly licensed contractor may pull a permit. The City’s Municipal Code states that a permit can be issued to the bona fide owner of a residence if the dwelling is used and occupied solely by the owner. For Owner-Builder exemption and guidelines, see the Contractors State License Board for more information.

CSLB FAQ

City of Lancaster Municipal Code

The City’s Zoning Map can be found here.

Building and Safety does not have any information or maps showing the location of property lines. Property lines can only be accurately located by having your property surveyed by a licensed Land Surveyor. For more information refer to the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors website.

The Los Angeles County Office of Assessor map shows the boundaries for Lancaster and our neighboring jurisdictions.

The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District

Building and Safety staff cannot provide guidance on the cost of building materials and labor, however staff is happy to provide an estimate of Building & Safety permit fees via email. Contact permits@cityoflancasterca.gov. The fee schedule is also available here.

Contact Code Enforcement to report illegal construction.