FAQs
Building Department FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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