Permit Pitfalls: How Our Team Handles City Requirements So You Don’t Have To

Let’s face it—getting a building permit in Los Angeles or Malibu isn’t for the faint of heart. Between evolving zoning laws, neighborhood ordinances, and lengthy city backlogs, even the most straightforward remodel can hit a wall without the right expertise.
At Addition Building & Design, Inc., we specialize in navigating the red tape, so you don’t have to. From custom home builds in the Pacific Palisades to luxury outdoor spaces in Calabasas, we’ve seen it all—and we know how to move your project forward, even when the city says, “not so fast.”
Here’s how we do it:
🏗️ 1. We Know the Code—Because We Live It Every Day
Building in L.A. or Malibu? You’re dealing with some of the strictest codes in the country. Fire zones, hillside ordinances, coastal commission approvals, historical overlays—it’s enough to overwhelm even experienced homeowners.
Our in-house experts and permitting specialists stay up to date on:
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) updates
- Coastal Development Permit (CDP) regulations
- Slope analysis and geotechnical report requirements
- Fire department access standards
- HOA and neighborhood-specific approvals
✅ Bottom line? We don’t just design and build—we design, build, and ensure compliance, efficiency, and accuracy.
📋 2. We Handle the Paperwork, Appointments & Submissions
Pulling permits isn’t just about filling out a form. It’s about:
- Drawing compliant plans
- Submitting documents electronically and in-person
- Scheduling plan check reviews
- Coordinating with plan examiners
- Revising drawings when required
We take all of that off your plate. Our project management team works directly with city officials, so you don’t have to waste hours on hold or wait weeks for a simple signature.
🛑 3. We Anticipate the Pitfalls—Before They Delay Your Project
Real talk: Even minor errors in plans can delay a project by weeks. We’ve built in every zone and faced nearly every scenario—from red-tagged structures to last-minute code revisions.
Real Story:
We recently helped a client in Brentwood who hired a separate drafter before coming to us. Their initial plans were rejected three times by the city. Once we stepped in, we reworked the drawings, addressed the slope grading concerns, and had their permits approved in 10 business days.
✅ With us, you avoid surprises—because we’ve already solved them before.
🏠 4. We Build Relationships With City Staff
We’ve been building in L.A. and surrounding areas for over 30 years. That means we don’t just know the process, we know the people.
Through consistent professionalism and accurate submissions, our reputation with local city planners, inspectors, and engineers allows us to:
- Expedite reviews where possible
- Resolve minor concerns without total resubmissions
- Get questions answered faster
🧾 5. We Keep You Informed Without Overwhelming You
We believe in full transparency, but we don’t expect you to become a permit expert. While we handle the heavy lifting, we keep you in the loop with:
- Clear timelines for approvals
- Permit milestones in your project tracker
- Honest updates if city delays occur
✅ You’ll know what’s happening, when to expect it, and why it matters—without being buried in jargon.
We Let You Focus on Your Dream, Not the Red Tape
Whether you’re planning a significant addition in Malibu, rebuilding in Pacific Palisades, or designing your dream home in Beverly Hills, Addition Building & Design, Inc. is your expert advocate from start to finish.
We turn "permit headaches" into permit handled.
📞 Let’s talk about your project. We’ll help you navigate the city, unlock your vision, and build with confidence.