Apply for a Residential Permit/Planning Approval
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Project Submittal | Planning Applications | Building Applications | Hours of Construction | Project Status | Public Review
This page serves as a tool to assist you with your home improvement project, from application submittal through scheduling your final inspection. Please see below for Planning and Building & Safety improvement applications, allowed hours of construction, and contact information to check the status of the City's review of your application or to schedule an inspection.
Project Submittal
Submit Your Application/Plan for Home Improvement — Completed applications can be submitted online for Planning and Building & Safety review. Please follow the instructions outlined in the Planning/Building & Safety Electronic Submittal Procedure Guide, and when ready, upload applications and plans through the Application/Plan Submittal Form.
Should you have any questions or require assistance, please call (562) 916-1201.
*Wireless Telecommunication Project/Permit Submittals: Wireless telecommunication project/permit submittals are only accepted on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In-person wireless telecommunication project/permit submittals are by appointment only, and walk-in applicants will not be accepted. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (562) 916-1201. Any in-person or online wireless telecommunication project/permit submitted after 4 p.m. on Monday, whether online or in-person, will be deemed submitted on the following Tuesday, and any application submitted on Tuesday after 4 p.m. will be deemed submitted on the following Monday (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a legal holiday).
Planning Applications and Guidance Documents
The Planning Division provides you with information on Cerritos Municipal Code regulations and development standards for a property. Approval from the Planning Division is required before commencing any home improvement project or construction activity, in order to ensure compliance with the Cerritos Municipal Code. If applicable, once an application is approved by the Planning Division, the application and/or plans will be reviewed by the Building & Safety Division. Planning staff is available to assist you on a first-come, first-serve basis Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
Below are permit applications available for download, as well as other helpful guidance documents:
Block Wall Replacement Application — Arterial
Boarding House Permit Application
Cerritos GIS Mapping Tool (Property Information & Planning Approval History)
Development Code Amendment Application
Development Map Amendment Application
Drought-Tolerant Plant Reference Guide
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Application — Residential
Front Yard Landscape Design Manual
General Plan Amendment Application
Green Building Fee Waiver Application
Indoor Marijuana Cultivation Application
Paint Color Permit Application
Paint Color Permit — On-line Color Palette
Room Addition Application — Major (Adding More than 900 Square Feet or 70% of Existing Floor Area)
Room Addition Application — Minor (Adding Less than 900 Square Feet)
Shed Guidelines and Example Plot Plan
Solar Energy System Application
Solar Energy System Application — Express
To obtain a Residential Express Solar Roof Mount permit, please apply via the Los Angeles County EPIC-LA Portal. Please note, Residential Express Solar Roof Mount permits are only issued for eligible residential solar energy systems not requiring any additional permits such as a service panel upgrade or re-roof. When accessing the Los Angeles County EPIC-LA Portal, please enter "Cerritos" in the search bar at the top of the screen to display the City of Cerritos Residential Express Solar permits only.
Swimming Pool Demolition Plan Example
Swimming Pool, Spa and Equipment Application
Window Plan Example and Code Requirements
Tree Removal Applications and Guidance Documents:
HOA Administrative Tree Removal Application
HOA Discretionary Tree Removal Application
HOA Emergency Tree Removal Application
Private Parkway Tree Removal Application
Building Applications and Guidance Documents
The Building & Safety Division issues permits for all new construction or modifications to existing developments (residential, commercial, or industrial) in the City, in order to ensure that improvements or construction activity follow the safety standards set forth in the Uniform Building Code. Adherence to building code requirements helps preserve the structural integrity of buildings and structures in Cerritos. Permits may be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Building & Safety permit applications are available for download below. Please note that applications must be accompanied by building plans and other supplemental information, as required.
Combination Pool Permit Application (submit with Swimming Pool, Spa and Equipment Application)
Swimming Pool/Spa Fill Covenant
Construction and Demolition (C&D) and Waste Management Forms
Grading/Landscape Permit Application
Green Building Fee Waiver Application
Master Fee Schedule — City Building and Safety Fees
Miscellaneous Permit Application
State Disability Access Resources:
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — English
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Chinese Simplified
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Chinese Traditional
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Korean
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Spanish
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Tagalog
Disability Access Requirements and Resources — Vietnamese
Hours of Construction
Construction, demolition, and grading activities shall be limited to the following days and hours, unless otherwise approved in writing by the City of Cerritos:
- Monday through Friday: Between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Saturday: Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Sundays and City-observed holidays: No construction, demolition, or grading activities are permitted.
Project Status
For additional assistance or to check the status of your project, please contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201 to learn about required approvals and permits.
Check the Status of your Project — To check the status of the City's review of your project, please contact your project planner in the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201.
Check the Status of your Building Permit or to Schedule an Inspection — To check the status of an existing building permit or to request an inspection, please contact the Building and Safety Division at (562) 916-1209.
Public Review
Documents related to upcoming development proposals will be made available here for public review during the established public review period. For questions regarding development proposals, please contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916‑1201.