• 1. What are approved construction hours?
• 2. Is heating required in a dwelling unit?
• 3. Who should I contact to remove a tree on the sidewalk in front of my house?
• 4. What is the maximum allowable fence height?
• 5. I want to purchase a condominium.  How do I find out if the building has been retrofitted and the exact floor area?
• 6. How do I know if my house addition was legally built?
• 7. Are smoke detectors or seismic gas shut off valves required when I sell my house?
• 8. How can I verify if my home is located in a flood zone?  If it is, what are the requirements?
• 9. Where can I obtain a copy of an existing approved construction document (i.e., plans) for a building on my property?  How much do I have to pay?
• 10. What are the requirements for smoke detectors in residential buildings, i.e., single family dwelling, duplex, apartment, condo, etc.?
• 11. Is the City of Long Beach or the State of California the "authority having jurisdiction" for the enforcement of construction code regulations in mobile home park?

• 12. Are there any code provisions requiring drowning prevention safety features for single-family residence swimming pools?

1. What are approved construction hours?

Construction is permitted Monday through Friday except Federal Holidays  from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

2. Is heating required in a dwelling unit?

Yes. The space must be able to be maintained at a room temperature of 70 degrees F. at a point 3 feet above the floor in all habitable areas.

3. Who should I contact to remove a tree on the sidewalk in front of my house?

Call Street Trees service at (562) 570-2770.

4. What is the maximum allowable fence height?

In most residential areas, fences are limited to 3' - 6" in height in the front yard, and 6' - 6" in side and rear yards.

The regulations may be found in Title 21 Zoning Regulation of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

5. I want to purchase a condominium.  How do I find out if the building has been retrofitted and the exact floor area?

Information can be obtained from our Building Permit Records page or from the 4th floor in City Hall.

6. How do I know if my house addition was legally built?

Information can be obtained from the Building Permit Records page or from the 4th floor in City Hall.

7. Are smoke detectors or seismic gas shut off valves required when I sell my house?

For smoke detector requirement, see Department’s PPI (Policies Procedures and Interpretations) document B02. Currently, the City does not have requirement for seismic gas shut-off valves.

8. How can I verify if my home is located in a flood zone?  If it is, what are the requirements?

To verify if your property is located in a flood zone, please see the City of Long Beach Flood Zone Map, or the FEMA Flood Zone Changes page for a specific property address. For all new buildings and major remodeling (altered more than 50% of the existing building) project located in a flood zone, an elevation certificate is required to be competed. For more information regarding the certificate and instruction, please see the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program: Evaluation Certificate and Instructions.

For more information, see: Flood Hazards.

9. Where can I obtain a copy of an existing approved construction document (i.e., plans) for a building on my property?  How much do I have to pay?

The rules and regulations governing the retention, inspection and duplication of approved construction documents can be found in Section 18.12.070 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. All construction documents that are not microfilmed pursuant to Section 18.12.070 of the Long Beach Municipal Code are discarded 1 year after the completion of the work covered therein. The department typically do not microfilm electrical, mechanical, or plumbing drawings. If a construction document has been microfilmed, an applicant can go to the Development Services Center and ask any Building Counter Staff for assistance in viewing or reproducing said construction documents. Refer to the department's Fee Schedule for the cost of reproducing construction documents. For additional information, please refer to Information Bulletin BU-025 Maintenance and Reproduction of Plan.

10. What are the requirements for smoke detectors in residential buildings, i.e., single family dwelling, duplex, apartment, condo, etc.?

Section 907.2.10.1.2 of the 2007 California Building Code stipulate the requirements for when and where smoke alarms (i.e., smoke detectors) are required in residential occupancies. This section states as follows:

Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-3.1, R-4 and I-1, regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:

11. Is the City of Long Beach or the State of California the "authority having jurisdiction" for the enforcement of construction code regulations in mobile home park?

Mobile home parks do not come under the authority of the City of Long Beach for the purpose of enforcement of construction code regulations. The State Department of Housing and Community Development is the authority having jurisdiction over mobile home parks, including all of the buildings within the park. Their phone number is (916) 445-4782. Information can also be obtained from their website at www.hcd.ca.gov.

12. Are there any code provisions requiring drowning prevention safety features for single-family residence swimming pools?