Apply for a Residential Permit/Planning Approval
Cerritos Permit Hub - Now Available
The Cerritos Permit Hub, a full-service online permitting and approval system, is now available at permits.cerritos.gov. With the implementation of the new hub, planning approvals, building and safety permits, inspection scheduling and public works permits will transition to a fully digital review and approval process.
To make a user account and apply for approvals or permits, please visit permits.cerritos.gov.
Help Resources:
- How to Set-Up a User Account (PDF)
- How to Set-Up a User Account (Video)
- How to Reset Your Password (Video)
- How to Apply for a Permit/Approval (PDF)
For questions, please contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201.
Public Notice
Community Development Counter Closure
Friday, November 13:
Building & Safety services (online/in-person permit issuance and plan check services) will be unavailable from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
November 16-20, 2026: With the recent launch of the City’s new fully digital permit hub, staff is experiencing a high volume of project submittals at this time. In order to better assist you, please create an account in the Cerritos Permit Hub and submit your application online. To allow staff opportunity to review all recent digital submissions, the City’s in-person planning services will temporarily be unavailable Monday-Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. the week of November 16th.
Wednesday, November 25:
Building & Safety services (online/in-person permit issuance and plan check services) will be unavailable from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201.
Jump to:
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 application guides, allowed hours of construction, and contact information to check the status of the City's review of your application or to schedule an inspection. All services are now provided digitally through the Cerritos Permit Hub at permits.cerritos.gov.
Project Submittal
- Locate the permit/approval application requirements from the guidance documents below. Information on residential permits is available at www.cerritos.gov/residentialpermits and commercial permits at www.cerritos.gov/buildingpermits.
- Call (562) 916-1201 to speak to a Planner. The Planner will advise you on any applicable regulations or guidelines that may apply to your project.
- Log into the Cerritos Permit Hub at permits.cerritos.gov and set-up or log into your user account. The Account Set-Up Guide can assist with setting up your user account.
- Click "Applications" and identify the application for the permit/approval you are requesting.
- Complete the application online and upload all required/supplemental documents, and submit.
- Upon submittal of your project, staff's review process will begin.
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:
Accessory Building Non-Dwelling Permit Application Guide
Accessory Building - Second Unit Permit Application Guide
Air Conditioning (HVAC) Permit Application Guide
Antenna Permit Application Guide
Art Piece Approval Application Guide
Art Piece & Fountain Approval Application Guide
Block Wall/Fence Permit Application Guide
Boarding House Permit Application Guide
Cerritos GIS Mapping Tool (Property Information & Planning Approval History)
Conditional Use Permit Application Guide
Conditional Use Permit Amendment Application Guide
Demolition Permit Application Guide
Development Code Amendment Application Guide
Development Map Amendment Application Guide
Drought-Tolerant Plant Reference Guide
Electric Vehicle Charging Station — Residential Permit Application Guide
Exterior Remodel Permit Application Guide
Exterior & Interior Remodel Permit Application Guide
Fireplace Permit Application Guide
Front Yard Landscape Design Manual
General Plan Amendment Application Guide
Green Building Fee Waiver Application Guide
Indoor Marijuana Cultivation Permit Application Guide
Interior-Only Remodel Permit Application Guide
Lot Combination Application Guide
New Residential Building Permit Application Guide
Paint Color Permit Application Guide: For more information, please visit the Paint Color Permit — On-line Color Palette webpage.
Patio Structure Permit Application Guide
Patio Structure - Guide to Legalize an Unpermitted Patio
Precise Plan Application Guide
Precise Plan Amendment Application Guide
Reasonable Accommodation Application Guide
Repair (Like-For-Like) Permit Application Guide
Reroof Permit Application Guide
Room Addition Permit Application Guide (Adding Less than 900 Square Feet)
Skylight Permit Application Guide
Solar Energy System Application Guide
Solar Energy System Application Guide — Express
Stucco Permit Application Guide
New Swimming Pool, Spa and Equipment Application Guide
Swimming Pool, Spa and Equipment Demolition Application Guide
Tentative Parcel Map Application Guide
Tentative Tract Map Application Guide
Wall & Fence Permit Application Guide
Windows Permit Application Guide
Zoning Verification Letter Application Guide
Tree Removal Applications and Guidance Documents:
Tree Removal or Replacement Approval Application Guide
Private Parkway Tree Removal Approval Application Guide
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 online or 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.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) and Waste Management Forms
Combination Permit Application Guide
Electrical Permit Application Guide
Grading Permit Application Guide
Landscape Approval/Permit Application Guide
Green Building Fee Waiver Application Guide
Letter of Authorization - If you are applying as an agent on behalf of the owner or licensed contractor, you will need to submit a notarized Letter of Authorization. A Letter of Authorization is only valid for one (1) year from the date of the authorized letter. Undated letters are not accepted. Notary stamps must be legible and valid.
Master Fee Schedule — City Building and Safety Fees
Master Fee Schedule — County Building and Safety Fees
Master Fee Schedule — Public Works Development Plan Review Fees
Mechanical Permit Application Guide
Miscellaneous Permit Application Guide
Plumbing Permit Application Guide
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Certification Form
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
To check the status of your project, building permit, or to request an inspection, please log into the Cerritos Permit Hub at permits.cerritos.gov. For any planning related questions, you may contact your project planner in the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201. For permit issuance questions or to request an inspection via telephone, 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.
Assembly Bill 1332 (2023)
In compliance with Assembly Bill 1332, the City of Cerritos is currently accepting accessory dwelling unit plans for pre-approval. Should you be interested in submitting a plan for this purpose, please contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201.