Pasadena Home Projects: When A Permit Is Required

Thinking about a remodel or addition in Pasadena? The fastest way to stall your schedule is to start work that needs a permit without one. You want a smooth build, safe systems, and clean resale. This guide shows you which projects typically require permits, who reviews them, how inspections work, and the simple steps that keep you clear of red tags and delays. Let’s dive in.

Who handles permits in Pasadena

The City of Pasadena’s Building & Safety Division issues permits, performs plan reviews, and conducts building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections. The Planning & Community Development Department oversees zoning, land use, design review, and historic preservation. Building & Safety handles enforcement, including stop‑work orders and red tags.

California’s Title 24 Building Standards apply citywide. Local permitting enforces Title 24 and the Pasadena Municipal Code. If your project involves HVAC, windows, water heaters, roofing assemblies, or energy‑related elements, expect Title 24 energy compliance documentation.

For work valued over 500 dollars in labor and materials, California’s Contractors State License Board requires a licensed contractor. You can pull a permit as an owner‑builder, but there are limits and disclosure obligations. Unlicensed contracting or improper permitting can cause legal and insurance problems.

Interior projects: do you need a permit?

Use this quick guide before you order materials or demo walls.

Permit usually not required

• Painting and wallpapering.
• Flooring replacement that does not alter structure or egress. If substrate repairs affect structure or change door clearances, confirm with Building & Safety.
• Kitchen refresh with new cabinets, countertops, and finishes only. No new circuits, gas, venting, or structural changes.

Permit usually required

• Water heater replacement. Gas, venting, and energy code compliance are life‑safety items.
• HVAC replacement or new ductwork. Mechanical permit and inspections apply.
• New electrical circuits, service upgrades, main panel replacement, subpanels, whole‑house rewires, and EV chargers. Electrical permit required. Utility coordination may be needed for service changes.
• Bathroom remodels with relocated fixtures, added fixtures, or opened walls. Plumbing and possibly building permits apply.
• Removing load‑bearing walls or altering structural openings. Building permit with structural review.
• Basement finishing or converting non‑habitable space to habitable space. Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are typical.

It depends (confirm scope)

• Kitchen remodels that add a vented hood, new gas lines, relocated plumbing, or new circuits. These trigger mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permits, and sometimes building permits for penetrations or structural changes.
• Like‑for‑like bathroom fixture swaps often need a simple plumbing permit. Check the exact scope.
• Non‑load‑bearing wall removal may still require a permit to confirm it is truly non‑structural and that MEP systems are not affected.

Exterior projects: do you need a permit?

Permit usually required

• Reroofing that involves structural repairs, sheathing changes, or fire‑resistance upgrades. Inspection is common at final.
• Structural decks and porches, especially if over 30 inches above grade or attached to the house. Expect footing, framing, and final inspections.
• Retaining walls over typical height thresholds or those affecting slopes or drainage. Engineering and building permits are common.
• Pools and spas. Plan review plus building, plumbing, and electrical permits. Safety barriers are required.
• Driveways, curb cuts, and sidewalk work in the public right‑of‑way. Encroachment or public works permits are required.
• Solar PV systems. Building and electrical permits and utility interconnection are required.
• Additions, ADUs, garage conversions, and any new habitable structure. Planning review and multiple building permits are typical.
• Demolition. Permit required; older homes may involve lead or asbestos rules.
• Grading and drainage that moves significant soil volumes or alters slopes.

Permit sometimes required

• Window and door replacement. Like‑for‑like in the same opening may not need a building permit, but enlarging openings, modifying headers, changing egress, or triggering energy compliance typically does. Historic district rules may also apply.
• Siding replacement. Surface‑level work may not require a structural permit, but changes to sheathing, insulation, or openings usually do.
• Fences. Small fences often do not need a building permit, but height limits apply and anything taller or in the public right‑of‑way can require planning or encroachment review. Fence‑on‑retaining‑wall combinations frequently trigger permits.

Tree and site

• Removing or pruning protected trees requires permits. Pasadena enforces tree protection rules and can impose fines and replanting if you proceed without approval.

Special Pasadena rules to watch

• Historic districts and landmarks. Exterior changes and sometimes visible interior elements require Historic Preservation review and a certificate of appropriateness. This can add time and specific conditions. Confirm your address status early.
• ADUs. State law streamlines approvals, but Pasadena enforces objective standards like setbacks, size limits, parking, and utility connections. Plan for multiple plan checks.
• Energy compliance. Title 24 affects windows, HVAC, water heaters, insulation, and some reroofing assemblies. Collect energy documentation before you submit.
• Right‑of‑way work. Driveways, sidewalks, and curb modifications need public works or encroachment permits.
• Utility coordination. Electrical service changes and solar require coordination with the utility in addition to city permits.

How the permitting process works

Most projects follow a clear path:

1. Preliminary check. Contact Building & Safety to confirm what your scope triggers. A quick pre‑application conversation can save weeks.
2. Application and submittal. Provide forms, a site plan, scope of work, contractor information, and drawings for structural or complex projects. Include energy compliance documents for windows, HVAC, water heaters, and envelope work.
3. Plan review. Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and planning staff review your set. Historic, tree protection, grading, and public works reviews can be added when needed.
4. Permit issuance. You will receive permits by trade and a list of required inspections.
5. Inspections. Typical sequence is foundations and footings, underground utilities, framing and rough MEP, insulation and energy, then final. Trade‑specific inspections such as gas pressure tests or meter release are common.
6. Final approval. For additions, conversions, or new units, you may receive a certificate of occupancy once all conditions are satisfied.

Timelines

• Simple permits like minor plumbing or electrical can take days to a few weeks.
• Projects with plan review, such as additions, ADUs, and structural work, often take several weeks to months.
• Plan for extra time if you are in a historic district or if your scope affects trees, drainage, or the public right‑of‑way.

Avoid stop‑work orders and red tags

• Confirm scope before demo. When in doubt, ask Building & Safety which permits apply.
• Hire the right team. Work over 500 dollars requires a licensed contractor. Verify who will pull each permit.
• Do not cover work early. Schedule inspections at each stage. Concealed work can force tear‑backs.
• Keep documents on site. Inspectors often ask for plans, manufacturer specs, and permit cards.
• Watch zoning and site conditions. Setbacks, lot coverage, tree protection, and drainage details are frequent causes of delays.

Contractor and owner checklist

Ask every contractor:

• Are you licensed for this scope, and what is your CSLB license number?
• Who will pull the permits, you or me as the owner‑builder?
• What inspections are required and when will you schedule them?

Gather this documentation before you submit:

• Site plan, scope of work, and dimensioned drawings for structural changes.
• Energy compliance forms for windows, HVAC, water heaters, and envelope work.
• Contractor license and insurance information.

Plan ahead for inspections:

• Book them at each required stage and allow for inspector availability.
• Do not install finishes that conceal framing, wiring, or piping before the rough inspections.

Resale and insurance: why permits matter

Unpermitted work can slow or jeopardize a sale. Buyers and lenders often ask for permits and final approvals on additions, panel upgrades, HVAC, and major remodels. Insurance claims may be complicated by unpermitted or non‑compliant systems. If past work lacks permits, disclose it and consider retroactive permits to regularize the property before listing.

Your next step

If you are planning a ground‑up build, major remodel, ADU, or value‑add conversion in Pasadena, bring permitting strategy into the conversation early. A coordinated plan protects your schedule, your budget, and your resale value. Contact Steven James Design & Development to align design, permitting, construction management, and brokerage into one clear path from concept to market.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to replace windows in Pasadena?

• Like‑for‑like replacement in the same opening may not need a building permit, but enlarging openings, changing egress, or triggering energy compliance usually does, and historic properties often require review.

Are small jobs exempt from using a licensed contractor?

• No for jobs over 500 dollars in labor and materials; California requires a licensed contractor, and unlicensed work can cause legal and insurance issues.

What happens if my project gets a red tag in Pasadena?

• You must stop work, contact Building & Safety, apply for retroactive permits if required, and correct any non‑compliant work; penalties are possible.

How long do Pasadena permits take to approve?

• Simple trade permits can be issued in days to a few weeks; additions, ADUs, and projects with planning or historic review often take several weeks to months.

Do I need permits for solar panels or an EV charger?

• Yes; solar requires building and electrical permits plus utility interconnection, and EV chargers require an electrical permit with inspections.