So You Want to Be a Los Angeles County Inspector Gadget? Your Guide to Hunting Down Building Permits
Ever looked at a house and thought, "There's no way that balcony is up to code!" Or maybe you're about to buy a fixer-upper and need to know if the "electrical rewiring" was done by a squirrel with a bad case of the chews? Well, my friend, you've stumbled upon the thrilling world of building permit investigations in Los Angeles County!
Don't worry, this won't be as dull as watching paint dry (unless you're investigating a particularly slow paint job, then maybe). We'll add some sunshine to this permit hunt!
First things first, are you dealing with the glitz and glamor of the city of Los Angeles itself, or the sprawling majesty of unincorporated LA County? This is important, because permit detectives work for different agencies depending on your location.
Unleash Your Inner Sherlock in Unincorporated LA!
If you're county folk, then grab your magnifying glass (or, you know, your phone) and head over to the LA County Building Permit Viewer (don't worry, I won't make you say the whole website name out loud). This nifty tool lets you search by address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) – basically, a fancy code for your property. It'll show you scanned images of past permits, like a treasure map leading to a trove of construction history!
City Slickers: Suit Up and Hit the LADBS Database!
For those dwelling within the glorious city limits, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) is your permit guru. They have a whole online system called ePlanLA, but trust me, "ePlanLA" sounds way more exciting than it actually is (unless you're secretly a filing enthusiast).
The good news is, LADBS also offers a Search for Building Records option. This lets you search for permits, certificates of occupancy (fancy way of saying the building is officially livable), and even plot plans (think of it as a blueprint for the property). Just remember, you can't snag copies of blueprints without jumping through a few hoops, but hey, that's all part of the permit detective adventure!
Bonus Tip: Befriend Your Local Building and Safety District Office
Think of these offices as your permit pit stops. They have staff who can answer your questions and might even have some permit info not available online. Just be warned, they might not be dressed like Inspector Gadget, but their knowledge of building codes is super-powered!
So there you have it, folks! With a little know-how and a dash of detective spirit, you can unearth the permitting history of any property in Los Angeles County. Now get out there and chase down those permits! Remember, a little permit investigation can save you a big headache (and maybe a structurally unsound balcony incident).
