Frequently Asked Questions

The Building Department is here to help answer any of your questions and/or assist you through the Permitting Process.

Before reaching out to the Building Department, please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" below to see if your question has been answered, along with any other FAQs that help you to better understand the Permitting Process.

For any questions regarding LCAP, please see our LCAP User Guides Page for Step-By-Step Instructions designed to walk users through the Portal and its functionalities.

 

GENERAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT FAQS

Where Can I Apply For A Permit?

All Permits must be applied for electronically through the Lathrop Civic Access Portal (LCAP). Please read the LCAP User Guides for assistance, and be sure to submit all applicable and necessary Forms for your project, found in our Applications and Forms.

The online portal is available 24-hours a day, seven (7) days a week and enables users to apply for permits electronically in minutes.

The Building Department is glad to help anyone at the Front Counter to Create an Account / Login to LCAP and explain the online Permit Process, after you have read the provided User Guides.

Category: Building Department FAQ
How Much Are Permit Fees?

Permit Fees are determined by the Construction Valuation of the Scope of Work for a project. This includes cost of materials and labor.

Plan Check Fees are applicable on projects that will require Plan Reviews.

 

Please refer to the Master Fee Schedule for any questions on Permit Fee Estimates, and for a Complete List of Fees in the City of Lathrop.

Category: Building Department FAQ
Can I Get Copies of Plans For My Property?

The Building Department is not the Point-of-Contact for these requests.

To request any information on a property or to request plans, please submit a Public Records Request online. 

 

Refer to the link above for Instructions and Information on Public Records Requests.

Category: Building Department FAQ
Can I Start Work Before My Permit Is Issued?

No!

Work on a Project can not legally begin before a Permit is Issued and kept on file on the Work Site.

 

Per Section 109.4 of the CBC, "Any person who commences any work before obtaining the neccessary permits shall be subject to a fee established by the building official that shall be in addition to the required permit fees."

Category: Building Department FAQ
What Are the Allowed Hours of Construction Within the City?

Refer to the LMC Section 8.20.110: Construction of Buildings and Projects for Construction Hours and Restrictions.

Category: Building Department FAQ
What Are the Current Cycle Times For Plan Reviews?

Please view our Current Cycle Times for Building Permit and Plan Reviews as of 11/19/20.

 

Note that these Cycles are Average Times, and may be subject to delays during times of high traffic workloads, such as Holidays, or New Implementations, and available resources.

Average Times do not include Issuance Processing Time, and are not guaranteed timelines for other Departments' Reviews.

Category: Building Department FAQ
How Long Are Permit Applications Valid For?

A Permit Application (Not Issued) is Valid for 180 days from the Date of Application, and will Expire thereafter, as it will be deemed abandoned, unless otherwise authorized by the Building Official as written in the CBC Section 105.3.2.

Category: Building Department FAQ
How Long Are Issued Permits Valid For?

Permits that have been Approved and Issued are valid for 12 months (365 days) from the Date of Issuance, and will Expire thereafter, if Inspections are not Performed.

If any Inspections are Performed, Permits are valid for another 6 months (180 days) from the Last Inspection Date, and will Expire thereafter, as it will be deemed abandoned.

CBC Section 105.5

Category: Building Department FAQ
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