Short Answer
YesNo building can be demolished in Los Angeles without a permit from the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). A house and its accessory buildings on the same lot can share one permit, which needs a pre-inspection, a sewer cap permit and, for buildings over 45 years old, 30 days of public notice before it is issued.
Source: LADBS Information Bulletin P/BC 2026-039: Demolition of Buildings (linked under Sources below)
Los Angeles Demolition Permits at a Glance
- Demolition permits, last 12 months
- 1,291
- Median application to issue
- 90 days
- Slowest quarter took at least
- 234 days
- Whole-building demolitions
- 579
Of the 8 cities we track for demolition, Los Angeles ranks 7 of 8 by median wait. The median declared job value on these permits was $5,000.
Who Can Apply and Do the Work
LADBS issues demolition permits to a licensed wrecking contractor (C-21) or a general engineering contractor (Class A) with a notarized owner letter or the signed contract. An owner of the building and lot can demolish a one- or two-story wood-frame building with spans of 25 feet or less, and a Class B general contractor can demolish a one-story Type II or V building if it is also building the new structure on the site.
What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued
- A dimensioned plot plan showing the buildings and their distances from the property lines (enough for one- and two-family dwellings).
- A pre-inspection by a Building Inspector, separately for each building.
- For buildings 45 years or older: mailed notice to abutting owners and occupants, the Council District and the Neighborhood Council, and an 11 by 17 inch "NOTICE OF DEMOLITION" placard within 5 feet of the front property line, at least 30 days before the permit is issued. A detached garage being replaced by an ADU is exempt unless it is in a historic district.
- A sewer cap permit (a plumbing permit), and a sewer cap inspection before the cap is covered.
- Possible clearances: Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, Historical Monuments, Coastal Zone, Rent Stabilization (for duplexes and two or more houses on a lot), Urban Forestry for protected trees.
- A South Coast AQMD Rule 1403 asbestos notification at least 10 working days before work.
What Else to Know in Los Angeles
On site, an inspection must be requested at least 24 hours before work starts, protection fences must be inspected first, and the Demolition Inspection Record card must be signed for each demolition method used. Dozer or loader wrecking is limited to one- or two-story buildings with walls up to 24 feet.
Los Angeles Demolition Permit Fees
Los Angeles does not publish a flat demolition fee we could verify, so we don't quote one. The fee is set when you apply. For scale, the median declared value of demolition work on recent permits was $5,000.
What Los Angeles's Demolition Permit Data Shows
| Type of demolition | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Whole building | 579 | 45% |
| Garage, shed or other accessory structure | 697 | 54% |
| Partial demolition | 15 | 1% |
Demolition Permits Issued per Month
Types are classified from each permit's description. Permits whose type or description is demolition, excluding interior, selective and remodel-only work. Data from LADBS Building Permits Issued 2020–Present, October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.
Where Demolitions Are Happening
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 90066 | 54 |
| 90049 | 45 |
| 90064 | 41 |
| 91335 | 35 |
| 90034 | 31 |
| 90004 | 30 |
Recent Demolition Permits
| Issued | Work as described by the city |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-23 | DEMOLITION OF THE (E) DETACHED GARAGE. |
| 2026-10-23 | Eplan: Demolition of (E) 1-story SFD |
| 2026-10-23 | DEMOLITION OF THE (E) CHICKEN HOUSE. |
| 2026-10-23 | DEMOLITION OF THE (E) DETACHED GARAGE. |
| 2026-10-22 | Demolition of (E) 1-story S.F.D. and detached garage |
| 2026-10-22 | DEMOLISH REAR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. SEWER CAP AND PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION FENCE REQUIRED. COMPLY WITH DEPARTME |
How to Get a Demolition Permit in Los Angeles
- Check historic and landmark status first. It is the step most likely to add weeks or months.
- Line up the prerequisites listed above, starting with the asbestos survey, pest control and utility disconnections.
- Hire a contractor licensed for demolition where Los Angeles requires one, and sign a written contract.
- Apply, post any required notice, and wait out the notice period before work begins.
- Pass the final inspection and keep the permit with your property records, especially if you plan to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Los Angeles?
No building can be demolished in Los Angeles without a permit from the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). A house and its accessory buildings on the same lot can share one permit, which needs a pre-inspection, a sewer cap permit and, for buildings over 45 years old, 30 days of public notice before it is issued.
How long does a demolition permit take in Los Angeles?
For the 1,291 demolition permits issued between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026 with both dates published, the median time from application to issue was 90 days, and a quarter took 234 days or longer, according to the city's open data.
How many demolition permits does Los Angeles issue?
1,291 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 45% were for whole buildings, 54% for garages, sheds and other accessory structures, and 1% for partial demolitions, based on the permit descriptions.
Can I demolish my own house in Los Angeles?
Yes, if you own the building and the lot and it is a one- or two-story wood-frame building with spans of 25 feet or less. Otherwise the permit goes to a C-21 wrecking contractor or a Class A general engineering contractor.
Related Permit Guides
- Los Angeles Building Permits
- Demolition Permit Requirements: What Cities Require Before You Tear Down
- Chicago Demolition Permit Requirements
- Seattle Demolition Permit Requirements
- Philadelphia Demolition Permit Requirements
- Austin Demolition Permit Requirements
- Nashville Demolition Permit Requirements
- Kansas City Demolition Permit Requirements
- New York Demolition Permit Requirements
- San Diego Demolition Permit Requirements
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- LADBS Information Bulletin P/BC 2026-039: Demolition of Buildings (dbs.lacity.gov)
- LADBS Building Permits Issued 2020–Present (data.lacity.org)