Class A-Permit Contractor In Los Angeles

The Ultimate Guide to Class A-Permits for Sidewalks and Public Rights-of-Way

That crumbling sidewalk is not going to fix itself. Whether you are tired of looking at the crumbling concrete sidewalk in front of your property, the city has called you out on it, or a pedestrian has made a trip and fall claim, it’s time to fix that sidewalk or driveway approach. A Class A-Permit contractor in Los Angeles can help. 

Why do I need to fix my sidewalk and/or driveway approach in Los Angeles?

Oh yeah, you thought the city would fix the sidewalk? You must be new to Los Angeles. 

With over 11,000 miles of sidewalk to maintain, it will take DECADES for the city to get to your bump in the concrete. 

And you think the city will be held liable if a pedestrian trips and falls on the sidewalk – or issues a complaint regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act? Well, you may have to think again. While the liability issue can be fuzzy (you will want to consult an attorney), the bottom line is this: you need to fix your sidewalk to save you the headaches caused by someone falling near your property. 

In order to fix your sidewalk, you will need an A-Permit.

What is the difference between a Class A and Class B Permit in Los Angeles? Which one do I need?

If you are a commercial or residential property owner in Los Angeles, you will likely need just an A-Permit to fix your sidewalk or driveway approach. A Class B Permit is a different beast.

Class A-Permit 

What does an A-Permit cover? An A-Permit covers all work done on the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way is basically anywhere the public is allowed to walk, bike, drive, skateboard, etc. That includes:

• New driveway installations
• Driveway repair
• Sidewalk installation
• Sidewalk repair
• Curb and gutter repair
• Installation of streetscape fixtures (bicycles racks, speed humps, parklets, parkways landscaping, etc.)
• Street tree wells
• Curb drains
• Street resurfacing/repairs for minor excavations

Class B Permit 

While a Class A-Permit covers minor improvements in the public right of way, the Class B-Permit is mostly issued for major improvements adjacent to land under private development. This can include the design and/or construction of:

• Major Streets
• Sewers
• Storm Drains

Basically, a B-Permit is needed in any project where new grades, elevations/depths, and structures will be created through any property or right of way owned by or under the control of the City.  

Class A-Permits are usually the purview of small property owners, while developers or a company involved in larger constructions projects will like need a Class B Permit.

How do I get a Class A Permit in Los Angeles?

Of course you can DIY this part of your construction project. Literally anyone can apply for an A-Permit. It doesn’t have to be the property owner.

But be warned, most property owners find the process to be similar to trying to find your way out of the minotaur’s labyrinth.

A-Permits are probably one of the more common permits to pull for minor construction projects in Los Angeles. Because they are so common and cover just minor construction, A-Permits can take as little as 1-3 days to pull via the city website. This doesn’t mean that the application process is easy. The city provides an entire 6-page document enumerating the necessary information needed to apply for an A-Permit including:

• Site plan drawings
• Proof of property boundaries
• Proof of insurance and bonds 

You also will need to have to consult with a city inspector before the project even begins – and another inspector to sign off when all the work is done. 

Common mistakes that trigger A-Permit rejections in Los Angeles

Attention to detail is fundamental when applying for an A-Permit. Your permit could be rejected because:

• Incomplete or incorrect application form: Make sure you spell all the names correctly (yours, your address, etc.) and fill out the form COMPLETELY
• Non-compliant or insufficient construction drawings: Make sure your construction drawings are up to code and are clearly labeled. 
• Lack of supporting documents: You may need additional forms, such as a soils report or zoning approval.
• Underpayment: Did you consult the city’s list of fees? Make sure you are paying enough for all your permits and inspections. 
• Zoning and Land Use Issues: In short, you may have all the architectural drawings perfectly in place, but the construction may not be allowed on your property. Get a zoning analysis done to avoid this headache. 

How much does an A-Permit cost in Los Angeles?

The price varies depending on what you are fixing, as an A-Permit covers a wide array of construction. 

The price starts at $375. For $375, you pay for a basic A-Permit. However, you will also have to pay for the inspection and the scope of work. The larger the project, the larger the fee.

And…it may turn out that you need other permits. Do you need to work on city trees? That’s a different permit and another inspector. Connecting your curb drains to the city’s drainage system? That’s another permit and special inspector. 

You can find the city’s list of permit fees here. 

How much does an A-Permit cost if a tree is damaging my sidewalk?

Ahhh!!! The one silver lining in the permit fee process – city trees. 

Contrary to popular belief, most sidewalk damage in Los Angeles is not caused by our infrequent earthquakes. They’re caused by city-owned or property owner-owned trees. Throughout the many building booms in Los Angeles, city planners allowed developers to plant quick-growing trees (ficus, anyone?) whose roots are now destroying our city sidewalks. 

For that reason, if a city tree has damaged your sidewalk, you do NOT need to pay a permit fee for an A-Permit. The city DOES require a picture of the damaged area, so they can waive the fees. 

To prevent tree roots from damaging your brand new sidewalk, the existing tree roots must be trimmed or the tree replaced. So, before you trim the tree roots, you will need a Street Tree permit, which is issued by the Bureau of Street Services. You get this permit AFTER you obtain an A-Permit.

As you can see, the permitting process can be long and involved. That is why most property owners hire a professional to work through the process for them. 

Should I hire a permit expeditor to get an A-Permit in Los Angeles?

There are entire Reddit forums and Facebook groups dedicated to property owners trying to navigate the permitting process. Save yourself some time, energy and headaches by hiring a licensed contractor to pull the permit or a permit expeditor. 

A professional permit expeditor or licensed contractor already knows all the information the city requires and will work with your contractor to ensure that the plans and specifications are up to code. A permit expeditor also will check in with the city’s Bureau of Engineering to make sure that your application doesn’t get lost in their sea of paperwork.