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1. Which projects require a permit?

Permits are required for, but not necessarily limited to, residential and commercial additions, residential remodels, commercial tenant improvements, reroofs, patio covers, decks, garden and retaining walls, swimming pools, spas, and all electrical, mechanical, or plumbing alterations. If you are considering an alteration to an existing building or a new construction project, please contact the Building Division at 619.667.1176 or via email at buildingpermitapps@cityoflamesa.us.

2. What is the procedure for obtaining a building permit?

The City is now accepting applications and plans electronically. Please visit our Maintstar Permit Portal. Once an account is created, you may apply for a permit, submit plans, receive permit invoices, schedule inspections and check permit status all 100% online. Please watch this tutorial on How to Create a MaintStar Account. 

A plan check fee is due prior to commencement of plan review. Fees are based upon construction valuation. Once the plans have been reviewed and approved by all City departments, a construction permit will be issued upon verification of contractor information and the payment of the required fees. All plans should be reviewed by the Planning Division before construction permit submittal. Contact the Planning Division at 619.667.1177 or via email at Planning@cityoflamesa.us for more information.

Plan review applications for which no permit is issued within one year following the date of application shall expire by limitation. In order to renew action on an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan review fee.

3. What information is needed for plan review?

See Checklist for Plan Submittal Requirements (PDF)

4. What information is needed for residential heating and air conditioning permit review?

All applications for mechanical alterations/additions must be submitted in the MaintStar Permit Portal.  Both Residential and Commercial heating and air conditioning applications require a completed California State Energy Efficiency Standards form. If any mechanical equipment is proposed on the exterior of a building, a plot plan is also required. 

The plot plan drawing should accurately show the property boundaries outline, the dwelling and garage outlines, the location of any exterior mechanical equipment, and the distances between any exterior equipment and property lines. The plot plan drawing should also show the property address, front street location and north arrow.

5. How do I schedule an inspection?

Building inspection requests must be submitted in the Maintstar Permit Portal. Inspections can only be scheduled for ISSUED permits. Any person(s) requesting an inspection must be a listed contact in that permit record. To be added to a permit record, please contact the Building Division at 619.667.1176 or via email at buildingpermitapps@cityoflamesa.us. 

For inspection requests to other departments other than Building, please contact the departments directly:

• Planning Division:  619.667.1177
• Engineering Division:  619.667.1154
• Fire Department:  619.667.1355 

Inspections may be scheduled for the next business day, if requested by 4 p.m. the day prior. Please visit the City Calendar to view the City of La Mesa’s Friday closures and holidays. 

6. Who can obtain a building permit?

A property owner, contractor, licensed design professional, or authorized agent may apply for a permit. 

Once the permit is approved and ready to issue, the Permit Declaration Form must be signed by the property owner, authorized agent of the property owner, or the licensed contractor. A separate Owner/Builder Addendum is required if the permit is signed by the property owner. Both forms are provided at the time of approval. 

7. What Codes are used to design and construct a project?

The California Buildings Standards Commission completed the adoption and approval of the following Building Standards and all applicable codes on January 1, 2023. All codes must be cited on the cover sheet of the building plans. 

See

New Construction Codes

8. What time will an inspection take place?

Inspections may be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A specific timeframe may be requested when submitting an inspection request in MaintStar, however that timeframe is not guaranteed. The confirmed timeframe for an inspection will be available in MaintStar the morning of the inspection. For assistance with scheduling an inspection, please contact the Building Division at 619.667.1176 or via email at buildingpermitapps@cityoflamesa.us. 

It is best to contact the Building Inspectors during their office hours, which are typically 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

9. Do I have to be present during an inspection?

The owner or contractor must be present during an inspection, unless the owner has given specific permission to the inspector and the work to be inspected is on the exterior with all permits and plans accessible. Inspections cannot be done if access to the work is not available, or if unsupervised minor children or unsecured animals are present. For additional information, please contact the Building Division at 619. 667.1176.

10. Does the City have records of building permits and inspections for my property?

The Building Division keeps copies of all building permits issued and inspections made since the date the property was annexed. Building plans for commercial and residential projects may be available for viewing if the project was submitted within the last 20 years. Copies of Building permit records may be requested by submitting a Public Records Act Request. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of printing hardcopies of permits. For additional information, please contact the Building Division at 619.667.1176.

11. Where can I find Information about Construction and Demolition Recycling?

See Construction and Demolition Recycling

12. Do I need a City of La Mesa Business License for contracting in the City?

Contractors and businesses need a City of La Mesa Business License for doing business in the City.