How to Schedule and Prepare for Your LADBS Appointment

What LADBS appointments are and how to book one

LADBS stands for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. If you need a building permit, plan check, or inspection in Los Angeles, you will schedule an appointment through their system rather than walk in. Most appointments are for contractors and property owners, but you can also book one if you are handling your own project or need to discuss a permit status.

You can schedule an appointment online through the LADBS website, by phone, or in person at one of their service centers. The online system is usually fastest — you pick a date and time from available slots, and you get a confirmation number immediately. Phone appointments take longer because you are waiting for a representative, but they can answer questions while you book.

The appointment itself is not the permit. It is a meeting where you submit documents, ask questions, or have an inspector review your work. What happens at your appointment depends on what you are there for — a plan check meeting looks different from an inspection, which looks different from a permit pickup.

Key Takeaways

• LADBS appointments must be booked in advance through their website, phone line, or in person; walk-ins are not accepted for most services.
• You need to know your project address, the type of work being done, and whether you are the property owner or a contractor before you book.
• Bring your confirmation number, photo ID, and any documents related to your project — the specific list depends on what service you are there for.
• Inspection appointments usually happen at your property, not at a LADBS office, and the inspector will tell you the result the same day or within a few days.
• If you miss your appointment, you will need to reschedule; repeated no-shows can delay your permit process.

How to book your appointment online

Go to the LADBS website and look for the appointment scheduling portal. You will need to enter your project address, the type of work (such as electrical, plumbing, structural, or general building), and whether you are the owner or a licensed contractor. The system will show you available dates and times for the next few weeks.

Pick a time slot that works for you. The system will ask for your name, phone number, and email address. You will receive a confirmation number — write this down or screenshot it. You will also get a confirmation email with the date, time, and location (if it is at a service center) or instructions (if it is an inspection at your property).

If the appointment type you need is not available online, or if you cannot find your project type in the dropdown menu, call LADBS directly. Their phone line can handle bookings that the online system cannot process, though wait times are often 30 minutes or longer.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Always bring your confirmation number and a photo ID. Beyond that, what you need depends on the type of appointment. If you are submitting plans for a plan check, bring three sets of stamped plans (or however many the notice says), a completed application form, and proof of property ownership or authorization from the owner. If you are picking up a permit, bring your ID and confirmation number — that is usually enough.

For an inspection appointment, you do not bring documents to your property; the inspector brings their own checklist. But before the inspector arrives, make sure the work is visible and accessible. If the inspector cannot see what they came to inspect, they will reschedule, and you will have to book another appointment.

If you are unsure what to bring, call LADBS before your appointment and ask. A few minutes on the phone can save you a wasted trip. Have your confirmation number ready when you call.

Inspection appointments at your property

If your appointment is for an inspection, the inspector will come to your address on the scheduled date. You do not go to a LADBS office. The inspector will check the work against the approved plans and the Los Angeles Building Code. The inspection usually takes 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the scope of work.

The inspector will tell you on the spot whether the work passed, failed, or needs corrections. If it passed, you will get a signed inspection card or a notice in the mail within a few days. If it failed, the inspector will explain what needs to be fixed and may schedule a follow-up inspection. You do not need to book a new appointment for the follow-up — LADBS will contact you with a date.

Be present at your property during the inspection window. If no one is there to let the inspector in, they will leave a notice and you will have to reschedule. Repeated no-shows can hold up your entire permit.

What to do if you need to reschedule or cancel

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel or reschedule as soon as you know. Go back to the online portal with your confirmation number, or call LADBS. Canceling in advance opens the slot for someone else and keeps your permit moving. If you simply do not show up, LADBS may mark you as a no-show, and you will have to call to reschedule.

Rescheduling usually takes a few days to a week, depending on how busy LADBS is. During busy seasons (spring and fall), appointment slots fill up quickly. If you cancel and then cannot find an open slot for weeks, that delay is on your timeline, not LADBS's.

Common reasons appointments are delayed or canceled

LADBS sometimes cancels appointments if there is a backlog or staffing shortage. If your appointment is canceled, they will contact you by phone or email with a new date. You do not have to do anything — just show up at the new time. If you cannot make the new time, reschedule again.

Appointments are also delayed if your paperwork is incomplete. Before you book, make sure your plans are stamped, your application is signed, and you have proof of property ownership or authorization. Showing up with missing documents will not get your appointment moved up; the inspector or plan checker will send you home to get what you need.

If you are a contractor, make sure your license is current and in good standing. LADBS checks this before some appointments, and an expired or suspended license can cancel your slot.

After your appointment: what happens next

If your appointment was a plan check, the plan checker will review your documents and either approve them, ask for revisions, or reject them. You will get a letter in the mail or an email within one to two weeks. If revisions are needed, you will have to resubmit and may need another appointment.

If your appointment was an inspection and it passed, you are done with that phase. If it failed, you fix the work and request a follow-up inspection. If your appointment was a permit pickup, you are done — take your permit and start work according to the approved plans.

Keep your confirmation number and any letters or notices from LADBS. You may need them if there are questions later or if you need to prove you completed an inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in without an appointment?

No. LADBS requires appointments for nearly all services. Walk-ins are not accepted. If you show up without an appointment, you will be turned away and told to book one online or by phone.

How far in advance do I need to book?

You can usually book one to four weeks ahead, depending on how busy LADBS is. During peak seasons, slots fill up faster. If you need an appointment urgently, call instead of using the online system — a representative may be able to fit you in sooner or suggest an alternative.

What if I do not have a confirmation number?

Call LADBS with your name, phone number, and project address. They can look up your appointment in their system. Have your ID ready in case they ask for it.

Do I need a contractor's license to schedule an appointment?

Not to schedule one. But if you are doing work that requires a licensed contractor under Los Angeles law, you must have one before the work starts. LADBS will check your contractor's license status at your appointment, and if it is expired or suspended, your appointment may be canceled.

What if the inspector does not show up?

Call LADBS the same day. Inspectors occasionally miss appointments due to emergencies or scheduling errors. LADBS can reschedule you quickly if this happens. Have your confirmation number ready.