The Planning Division
of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing
the City’s Zoning Code, which regulates the types of land
uses and buildings that can be located in each part of the City.
As such, the Division reviews business licenses to ensure that
each business is in the appropriate zone, processes conditional
use permits for certain uses pursuant to the Zoning Code, and
reviews and processes (as necessary) plans for constructing or
modifying buildings and structures.
Planning approval must be secured
prior to the issuance of building permits for all new construction
and modifications to existing buildings and structures. Depending
on the location, use, size and type of building or structure planned,
Planning Approval may involve any or all of the following entities:
Staff, the City’s Design Review Board, the Historic Resources
Commission and the Planning Commission.
The City of Whittier Zoning Code
has been developed to ensure a high standard of design and materials
for all buildings in the City. In order to more easily interpret
the requirements of the Code, the City has adopted Design Guidelines
for commercial and residential structures. If you are planning
to modify or construct a new building in the City of Whittier,
it is recommended that you visit the Community Development Department
at City Hall between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday
or call (562) 464-3380 to request a copy of the Design Guidelines.
Building Permits and Inspections
Under State Law, structures must
be built pursuant to locally adopted building codes, in Whittier’s
case the Adopted California Model Codes. The Building Division
of the Community Development Department is responsible for implementing
the City’s Building Code. This includes regulating and controlling
the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy,
location and maintenance of all buildings and structures within
the city of Whittier. As part of its responsibility to ensure
that buildings and structures are built to minimum standards to
safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare, the
City requires that a building permit be obtained prior to the
construction of improvements to private property. Once a permit
is obtained, City building inspectors visit the property at appropriate
times to ensure that the construction is occurring pursuant to
the plans and the Building Code.
Building permits are required to
build, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove,
convert or demolish any building. Permits are also required for
most plumbing and electrical improvements.
For further information on Building
Permits, please call the Community Development Department at (562)
464-3380 or visit any time between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through
Friday. Building personnel are available at all times, but specific
Building Inspectors are in the office between 8:00 and 9:00 AM
and 1:00 and 2:00 PM Monday through Friday.
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