LA Restaurant Permits | Fast Approvals
Got a great idea for a restaurant and want to get it off the ground? There are so many pieces of the puzzle to put in place in order to open your dream restaurant that it’s hard to know where to begin. Of course, you want to get cooking right away, but before that, you need to make sure your restaurant space is up to code. And that means pulling permits.
How do I pull a restaurant permit in Los Angeles?
Opening a new restaurant is an exciting prospect – and one filled with a lot of red tape. The city of Los Angeles actually provides a Restaurant and Small Business Express Program to help you navigate all the permits necessary – from building permits to health inspections. In this program, you are assigned a case manager to help walk you through the process.
Still, even with a personal case manager, there is a laundry list of items necessary to obtain a permit. Here’s an idea of just some of the plans you need to include in your permit application:
- Complete floor plans of your restaurant – including all the plumbing, electrical, lighting and equipment details.
- Complete mechanical exhaust ventilation plans
- Indicate whether or not you will have air conditioning, evaporative cooling or no cooling system installed.
- Information on what types of materials and surface finish wil be used on floors, walls and ceilings.
- A site plan for your proposed waste storage receptacle location.
- Equipment manufacturer’s specifications sheets
- The proposed menu The Public Health Operating Permit for the proposed remodel of an existing food facility (if applicable).
You cannot begin construction until all of your plans have been approved. During construction, you can expect several inspections to take place. Once construction is done, the Department of Building and Safety has to give the final inspection and approval.
How long does it take to pull a restaurant permit in Los Angeles?
It can take up to a year to get your permit to build or refurbish a restaurant in Los Angeles.
How much does it cost to get a restaurant permit in Los Angeles?
How much your permit will cost can vary wildly depending on the scope and size of your project and how many inspections will be necessary. The Department of Building and Safety actually provides a permit fee calculator to determine how much the permitting process will cost if you are taking on that task yourself.
Why should I use an expeditor?
With all the planning and coordinating that goes with opening a new business, obtaining permits should be the last of your worries. While the city does provide help with the process, like all city programs, it takes a time – time you could be spending getting the other aspects of your restaurant sorted out. An expeditor not only can work with the city, but has the knowledge and experience in the permitting process that makes obtaining a permit a breeze.
Looking for a permit expeditor? Let our experts go through the process for you. Call us today for a free quote.
