Lancaster Building & Safety is responsible for issuing permits and advising architects, engineers, designers and the public; contact (661) 723-6144 or permits@cityoflancasterca.gov, 44933 Fern Avenue. The City’s Accela Citizen Access (ACA) Portal has a Permit Assistant and is used to apply for permits, schedule inspections, pay fees and view records.
This guide covers Lancaster Building & Safety, its Accela portal and the Los Angeles County Fire Department office that plan-checks fire work. Lancaster’s fee schedule could not be checked, so ask Building & Safety for current fees.
What requires a building permit in Lancaster?
The ACA Portal handles all residential permits, solar, water heaters, mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits, and signs. Combination commercial permits, such as new buildings, additions and tenant improvements, still use the standard Building & Safety Permit Application.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Lancaster has amended the state codes and adopted them as the Lancaster Codes for Buildings and Construction; all new plan submittals must be designed per the 2025 Codes.
California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments
Who handles permitting in Lancaster?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Building & Safety | Permits, plan review, inspections; 44933 Fern Avenue | (661) 723-6144; permits@cityoflancasterca.gov |
| City of Lancaster (portal footer) | 44933 Fern Avenue; 8:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday | 661-723-6000 |
| LA County Fire Department, Lancaster office | Fire plan check for building and sprinkler plans; 335-A East Avenue K-6, Lancaster, CA 93535 | (661) 949-6319 |
| LA County Fire Department, Commerce office | Fire alarm plans; 5823 Rickenbacker Rd., Commerce, CA 90040 | (323) 890-4125 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Building & Safety offers appointments Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; email at least 48 hours in advance to book one.
Lancaster permit costs and fees
Fees are paid in the ACA Portal. The City says development and entitlement fees increased for projects submitted on or after October 1, 2026; its fee schedule could not be read for this guide, so confirm amounts with Building & Safety.
How to get a building permit in Lancaster
It is on the ACA Portal’s permit menu.
Residential, solar, water heater, trade and sign permits online; combination commercial permits on the standard Building & Safety Permit Application.
Building and sprinkler plans to the LA County Fire Lancaster office; alarm plans to Commerce.
Online in the ACA Portal.
Use Schedule Inspection in the ACA Portal.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with Lancaster Building & Safety on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Solar permits in Lancaster
Instant residential solar and battery storage permits are available. Solar projects that comply with the City’s toolkits can be submitted online for next business day review and permitting in the ACA Portal.
Inspections in Lancaster
Building inspections are requested online through the Schedule Inspection option of the City’s Accela portal, where records can also be viewed.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Official Lancaster permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Lancaster Building & Safety
- City of Lancaster Online Portal (Accela)
- LA County Fire plan check and inspection offices
Frequently asked questions
Where do fire sprinkler plans for a Lancaster project go?
To the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lancaster office, 335-A East Avenue K-6, (661) 949-6319. Fire alarm plans go to the Commerce office.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Can I get an instant solar permit in Lancaster?
Yes. Instant residential solar and battery storage permits are available, and toolkit-compliant solar gets next business day review in the ACA Portal.
Which codes do Lancaster plans have to meet?
All new plan submittals must be designed per the 2025 Codes, as amended in the Lancaster Codes for Buildings and Construction.
Simplify Lancaster permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Work out which city counters and outside agencies the project has to go through
- Prepare and upload the application, plans and forms in the city’s portal
- Book the inspections and follow the permit through to final
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Lancaster sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Lancaster permits while your crew stays on the job.
More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lancaster permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.