If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or new construction in Hermosa Beach, permit fees are a real line item in your budget. The city updated its Master Fee Schedule effective December 1, 2025 (with a 3.5% CPI adjustment), and the fees below are drawn from that current schedule.
This guide covers the main fee categories most homeowners and buyers encounter — it’s part of our Hermosa Beach homeowner resources collection. For projects involving unusual scope or commercial uses, contact Hermosa Beach Community Development directly for a fee estimate.
Building Permit Fees (Valuation-Based)
Building permit fees are calculated based on your project’s construction valuation — typically the fair market value of all labor and materials. Here’s the current fee schedule:
| Project Valuation | Building Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $35.84 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $35.84 + $5.76 per $100 over $500 |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | Tiered structure (call for calculation) |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | Tiered structure (call for calculation) |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | Tiered structure (call for calculation) |
| $100,001+ | $1,621.44 base + $9.28 per additional $1,000 |
Example: A $200,000 kitchen and bathroom remodel: $1,621.44 + (100 × $9.28) = approximately $2,549 in building permit fees alone.
Additional Fees Applied to Every Permit
- Plan Check: 80% of the building permit fee (paid at submittal)
- State Seismic Fee: 0.013% of valuation for residential (minimum $0.50)
- State Building Standards Admin Fee: $1 per $25,000 of valuation
- General Plan Maintenance Fee: $3 per $1,000 of valuation (applies to projects $100,000+)
Illegal construction: Quadruple fees apply. This is enforced. See our Hermosa Beach permit guide for what requires a permit in the first place.
Plumbing Permit Fees
| Work Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic plumbing fixture (toilet, sink, etc.) | $31.00 each |
| Building sewer connection | $62.00 |
| Water heater / vent | $31.00 |
| Gas outlets/piping (1–5 outlets) | $47.00 per system |
| Lawn sprinkler system | $31.00 |
| Fire sprinkler system | $55–$960+ depending on number of heads |
| Permit issuance fee | $88.00 |
Mechanical Permit Fees (HVAC, etc.)
| Work Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Furnace / HVAC unit | $62.00 |
| Air handling unit | $80.00 |
| Gas piping system | $47.00 |
| Boilers / compressors | $62.00 |
| Equipment alterations | $62.00 |
| Permit issuance fee | $88.00 |
Electrical Permit Fees
| Work Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Branch circuits (1–10) | $62.00 |
| Branch circuits (11–40) | $126.00 |
| Outlets added | $31–$47 per group |
| Lighting circuits | $31.00 |
| Service entrance / panel upgrade | $80.00 |
| Motors / transformers | $96.00 |
| Fire / emergency alarm systems | $49–$282+ depending on device count |
| Permit issuance fee | $88.00 |
Planning and Development Fees
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit | $6,277 |
| Variance | $4,838 |
| Height Limit Exception (common for roof deck projects) | $5,082 |
| Sign Variance | $3,455 |
| Zone Change | $5,232 |
| Lot Line Adjustment | $3,780 |
| Temporary Use Permit | $610 |
| Historic Resource Review (minor) | $1,052 |
| Historic Resource Review (removal) | $5,428 |
| Preliminary Planning Review | ~$200 |
| Appeals to Planning Commission | $3,291 |
| Appeals to City Council | $2,255 + noticing costs |
Other Fees to Know
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Short-Term Vacation Rental permit (initial) | $2,173 |
| Short-Term Vacation Rental (annual renewal) | $1,880 |
| Parks/Rec Facility Tax (new construction) | $9,743 |
| Parks/Rec In-Lieu Fee (per condo unit) | $14,096 |
| In-lieu parking fee (per space) | $28,900 |
| Public Tree Removal | $246 per tree |
| Film Permit (application) | $696 |
| Film Permit (per location/day) | $1,624–$3,643 |
How to Get a Fee Estimate for Your Project
For projects with complex scope, the most reliable approach is to contact Hermosa Beach directly:
- Building & Safety: 310-318-0235 | Mon–Thu 7am–6pm
- Planning: 310-318-0242 | Mon–Thu 7am–6pm
- Email: CommunityDevelopment@hermosabeach.gov
You can also request a Preliminary Planning Review (~$200) which includes a pre-application conference with Planning staff — often the best investment before committing to a major project.
Why This Matters for Buyers
If you’re buying a Hermosa Beach property with renovation plans, permit costs are a real line item in your budget — not an afterthought. For a $300,000 addition, you can realistically budget $8,000–$15,000 in permit fees across building, plan check, MEP permits, and ancillary fees. Popular projects like ADU additions and roof deck builds can each run $5,000–$10,000+ in permit fees alone. Building this into your offer price and renovation budget from day one avoids surprises.
Important: Fees are updated periodically by the city (most recently December 1, 2025 with a 3.5% CPI adjustment). Before budgeting for a project, confirm current fees directly with Hermosa Beach Building & Safety at 310-318-0235. This guide is informational — the city’s current Master Fee Schedule is the authoritative source.
I walk through renovation budget realities as part of my buyer process. If you’re evaluating a property with significant renovation potential, let’s talk through the numbers before you write an offer.
Cecilia Agraz | Bayside Real Estate Partners / Stroyke Properties Group
310-803-9338 | cecilia@manhattanhermosahomes.com
Cecilia Agraz
South Bay neighbor and Realtor® focused on clear guidance and low‑stress moves in Manhattan Beach & Hermosa Beach.