It can sometimes feel like Los Angeles is a concrete jungle – a jungle filled with potholes and uplifted sidewalk. Los Angeles has 11,000 miles of sidewalk and 23,00 miles of roads. That’s a lot of pavement to maintain. The City is notorious for long wait times to complete regular maintenance.
Liability in trip and fall cases is a fuzzy grey area. The city will point the finger at the property owner and the property owner will likely ask the city to take on the responsibility. Either way, it’s not a situation any property owner wants to be in.
That’s why many property owners take it upon themselves to repair and maintain their sidewalks, curb and gutters and small street repairs.
The first step in the process is to obtain an A-Permit.
What is an A-Permit for street resurfacing and repairs in Los Angeles?
An A-Permit allows for minor street construction in the public right-of-way. This includes:
- City Streets
- Lanes
- Alleys
- Parkways
- Sidewalks
- Public easements
- Unimproved streets
An A-Permit is submitted to the Bureau of Engineering for approval. The BOE ensures that your plan adheres to all city, county, state and federal regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
What is considered minor street construction/repair on an A-Permit application?
Minor street construction includes:
- New driveway installation or repair
- Sidewalk installation or repair
- Curb and gutter repair
- Installation of streetscape fixtures
- Street tree wells
Let’s say you are installing or repairing your curb and gutter and you need to repair some blacktop along with that, you will need an A-Permit for that. As long as your scope of work does not change the flowline of a gutter or grade of a sidewalk or street, you’re good.
Why do I need an A-Permit for street resurfacing/repairs in Los Angeles?
Why do you need to stop at a stop light? It’s the rule.
An A-Permit is the city’s way to confirm that your construction project follows city design and materials specifications. As part of the A-Permit, your project will be inspected to verify that you and the city are receiving quality construction from your contractor.
How much does an A-Permit cost for street resurfacing or repairs in Los Angeles?
It depends on the project. An A-Permit by itself is $375. If an A-Permit is required for resurfacing, you may also have to pay Street Damage Restoration Fees. The Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) may collect Special Inspection Charges, if the BCA deems it necessary.
The Bureau of Engineering may also charge you fees to test the density of street fills and concrete.
In short, the final price of the permit depends on the scope of the project and the number of inspections necessary. You can find the city’s list of permit fees here.
Ultimately, the process of pulling permits can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. This is why most property owners hire their licensed contractor or an experienced permit expeditor to pull all the necessary permits for their construction projects. Licensed contractors and professional permit expeditors know all the ins and outs of the city’s permitting process. They can get your permits in order quicker and easier than most property owners themselves.
Ready to hand the permit pulling to the professionals? Give us a call today for a free estimate.
Need Help With Your A-Permit Project?
A-Permit.com handles the entire permit process — from application to BOE inspection.