Plans are required prior to the issuance of any kind of permit. Acceptable plans may range from a simple hand sketch on a single 8 ½" x 11" piece of paper all the way to a full set of professionally rendered architectural drawings, depending upon the nature and complexity of your project. The size, type, and location of the proposed building will dictate the permits and approvals needed from the various City departments. This will also determine the type and number of inspections that will be required throughout the construction process.

For further information on the plan review process and on required approvals, call (818) 548-3207 or stop by the City's Permit Services Center, 633 E. Broadway, Suite 101, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Glendale.

 Permits

According to the Glendale Building and Safety Code, the Fire Department requires and issues permits for a variety of business activities, construction work, operations, practices or functions. Each permit requires the filing of a separate application along with payment of the appropriate fee. Some permits constitute authority for a continuing action, such as running a place of assembly or a high-rise building, and payment is due annually, usually after an annual inspection by Fire Prevention Bureau personnel. Other permits are for one-time operations, such as the installation of fire sprinklers or special effects filming. Operations requiring issuance of a permit through the Fire Department are listed in Section 105.8 of the Glendale Building and Safety Code Volume VI.

Please be aware that any work requiring a permit may not be started until the plans are approved and the permit is obtained. Work undertaken prior to issuance of a permit is subject to an immediate stop-work notice and collection of fines.

Fire Permit and Fee Schedule

 Permit Services Center

The City's Permit Services Center is located at 633 E. Broadway, Suite 101, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Glendale. The Permit Services Center is your one-stop destination for the various approvals needed to undertake work in Glendale. The Building & Safety Division's Permit Center processes all City permit applications required for residential and commercial remodels and new construction projects, including fa, zoning, building, trade, engineering, traffic and fire permits.

Please contact the Building & Safety Section before beginning any project to determine if any permits are required.

Fire Department personnel are available to answer questions and evaluate plans during their counter hours, 7:15am - 3:30pm every day that the City's open. Plan checkers alternate duty on the counter, usually rotating at around 11:30am, so if you need to speak to a particular plan checker be sure to ask for their specific counter hours. You may speak with a plan checker by phone from 7:15am - 9:00am and 4:30pm - 5:00pm. Voice mail messages may be left at other times of the day; calls will be returned as soon as possible.

Simple plans may be evaluated and approved over the counter, while complex plans may require submittal for review. The fee for a fire plan check and permit depends upon the type of permit, with an $85.00 minimum. The fee for a plan submittal is based upon the specifics of the project.

Turn-around time is approximately 2-4 weeks for a normal plan submittal to navigate the entire City approval process. For an additional fee, an "Express Track" is also available to speed the process. Ask at the Building Department counter for details.