Cerritos Building Permits Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Cerritos now runs permit applications and inspection requests through its online Cerritos Permit Hub, and Building and Safety permits may be obtained Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This guide explains when Cerritos homeowners need a permit, how to apply, how to schedule inspections, and why permit history matters if you plan to sell.

Cerritos permits at a glance

Department	Department of Community Development, with a Building and Safety Division
Phone	(562) 916-1201 (Community Development); (562) 916-1209 (Building and Safety)
How to apply	Cerritos Permit Hub at permits.cerritos.gov, a fully digital review and approval system
Permit hours	Building and Safety permits may be obtained Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Construction hours	Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; no construction on Sundays or city-observed holidays
Inspection requests	Online through the Permit Hub (account required); requests accepted until 5 p.m. the day before; no same-day requests
Fees	City publishes a Master Fee Schedule and a Permit Fees Fact Sheet

When you need a permit in Cerritos

The city states that permits are required for physical modifications to property, building renovations and new construction. It also says approval from the Planning Division is required before starting any home improvement project or construction activity.

When it applies, an application approved by Planning is then reviewed by the Building and Safety Division. In practice that means a project such as a room addition, garage conversion, new detached structure or major remodel can involve two steps: planning approval first, then building plan check and permits.

Cerritos also offers a GIS mapping tool showing property information and planning approval history, which is useful for seeing what has been approved on a lot before you plan new work or buy and sell. If you are unsure whether a project needs a permit, call the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201 before you start rather than after.

Step by step: how a Cerritos permit works

1. Talk to a planner

The city directs applicants to find the application requirements for their permit or approval in its guidance documents, and to call (562) 916-1201 to speak to a planner. Do this early, because some projects need Planning approval before Building and Safety will review them.

2. Apply online

Applications go through the Cerritos Permit Hub. Create an account, submit your documents and track the application there. The city describes the system as covering planning approvals, building and safety permits and public works permits in one place.

3. Review and corrections

Staff review the plans for the city’s standards and for building code compliance. The city page we reviewed does not publish a standard review time, so ask staff for a current estimate when you apply and build slack into your schedule, particularly for additions and ADUs.

4. Pay fees

Fees depend on the project. The city publishes a Master Fee Schedule with separate sections for city building and safety fees, county building and safety fees and public works plan review fees, plus a one-page permit fees fact sheet. Check both before you budget.

5. Build and inspect

Work must follow the approved plans and the city’s construction-hour limits listed above. Inspections are requested through the Permit Hub. The city says you need to give your name and phone number as the contact, the project address, the permit number and the type of inspection. It does not accept same-day requests, so a request made after 5 p.m. effectively moves to the following day.

Inspections in Cerritos

Request inspections online, or call Building and Safety at (562) 916-1209 if you prefer the phone. Because requests close at 5 p.m. the day before, plan inspections around your contractor’s schedule and do not cover work that still needs to be seen.

California building rules generally call for inspections at stages such as foundation, framing, rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical, insulation and a final, and the final is what closes the permit.

A permit that never receives a final inspection stays open on the property record, which is one of the most common surprises at sale time.

ADUs in Cerritos

Under Assembly Bill 1332 (2023), the city says it is accepting accessory dwelling unit plans for pre-approval. Contact the Department of Community Development for the current list and process. State ADU law also limits how much a city can delay or deny a qualifying ADU, so ask staff how the review clock works for your project. See our Cerritos zoning and ADU guide for more.

Permits and selling a Cerritos house

Buyers, lenders and appraisers often ask whether additions, garage conversions and remodels were permitted. California sellers generally disclose known unpermitted work on the transfer disclosure paperwork. Our statewide guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work explains the disclosure rules, and the seller closing costs guide covers what else to budget for.

If your Cerritos home has open permits, expired permits or work done without one, you generally have three paths: finish and close the permit before listing, disclose and discount on the open market, or sell as-is to a cash buyer. A quick checklist:

• Look up your permit history through the Permit Hub and note anything open or expired.
• List improvements made without a permit, such as converted garages or enclosed patios.
• Gather final inspection records and contractor invoices for permitted work.
• Ask Building and Safety what it would take to legalize or close out each item, including plans, fees and inspections.
• Compare that cost and time with a no-repairs cash sale.

How to sell a house in Cerritos

1. Review which work on the property was permitted and which was not.
2. Collect permits, final inspection records and any city notices.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no repairs, permit cleanup or showings required.

Our We Buy Houses in Cerritos page explains how we work with Cerritos homeowners.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a building permit in Cerritos?

Use the Cerritos Permit Hub at permits.cerritos.gov. Call Community Development at (562) 916-1201 with questions before you apply.

Can I request a same-day inspection in Cerritos?

No. The city says requests are accepted until 5 p.m. the day before and same-day requests cannot be accommodated.

What are the construction hours in Cerritos?

Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No construction is allowed on Sundays or city-observed holidays.

Do I need Planning approval before a building permit in Cerritos?

The city says Planning approval is required before starting any home improvement project or construction activity, and Building and Safety then reviews applications where applicable.

Where can I find Cerritos permit fees?

The city publishes a Master Fee Schedule and a Permit Fees Fact Sheet on its website.

Can I sell my Cerritos house with unpermitted work?

Yes. You can disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains the disclosure rules.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Cerritos
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Cerritos Code Enforcement Guide
• Cerritos Zoning and ADU Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Cerritos: Planning and Building Permits
• City of Cerritos: Building and Safety Inspections
• City of Cerritos: Apply for a Residential Permit

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the city.