LAMC Section 91.106

91.106.1. Permits Required.

91.106.1.1. Building Permits. No person shall erect, construct, alter, repair, demolish, remove or move any building or structure, nor shall any person commence any liquid washing, compressed air cleaning or steam cleaning of exterior surfaces of any building unless said person has obtained a permit therefor from the department. A separate permit shall be obtained for each separate building or structure except that a group of temporary structures erected on one site for a limited period of time may be included on one permit.

Where the installation, alteration or repair of ventilation equipment or ductwork is not included within the scope of a valid building permit, a separate building permit shall be obtained for the work.

Sandblasting, liquid washing, compressed air cleaning, steam cleaning of exterior surfaces of buildings adjacent to and within 20 feet of pedestrian walkways in dedicated streets in the limits of Fire District No. 1 shall be done only between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or on Sundays.

Where complete plans for a proposed building are filed with the department and where a foundation only permit is issued with respect thereto in accordance with rules established by the Superintendent of Building pursuant to Section 22.19 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, a building permit may be issued for the remainder of the building within one year after the issuance of the foundation only permit, provided such plans and specifications comply with all applicable Los Angeles Building Code provisions in effect at the time of issuance of such foundation only permit.

91.106.1.2 Grading Permits. (Amended by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.) No person shall commence or perform any grading, and no person shall import or export any earth materials to or from any grading site, without first having obtained a permit therefor from the Department. No person shall perform any grading within areas designated " hillside" unless a copy of the permit is in the possession of a responsible person and available at the site for display upon request.

Any grading project involving more than 100 cubic yards of excavation and involving an excavation in excess of five feet (1524 mm) in vertical depth at its deepest point measured from the original ground surface shall be done by a State of California licensed contractor who is licensed to perform the work described herein.

A separate permit shall be required for each grading site. One permit may include the entire grading operation at that site, however.

EXCEPTION:
All other provisions of the Code shall apply, but a permit will not be required if the work complies with any one of the following conditions:

1. An excavation which (a) is less than two feet (610 mm) in depth, or (b) which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet (1524 mm) in height and steeper than one unit vertical in two units horizontal (50 percent slope). This exception shall not apply to cut which exceeds 50 cubic yards (38.3 m 3) or which changes the existing drainage pattern.

2. A fill less than one foot (305 mm) in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than one unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10 percent slope), or less than three feet (914 mm) in depth and not intended to support structures. This exception shall not apply when the fill exceeds 50 cubic yards (38.3 m 3) or when the fill changes the existing drainage pattern.

3. Excavations, located in hillside areas, for caissons or piles under buildings or structures authorized by valid building permits.

4. Excavations, not located in hillside areas, for basements, footings, caissons, piles, swimming pools or underground structures which are authorized by valid building permits.

5. Excavations for wells or tunnels or utilities, which do not provide vertical or lateral support for buildings, or adversely impact the safety or stability of private or public properties.

Grading permits may be waived by the Department for excavations under buildings or structures in hillside areas, if the applicant can demonstrate that the site is relatively level, or the excavation is entirely for footings and/or grade beams not exceeding five feet deep.