• Safety – For your family, home, and business
• Inspections - Performed by certified inspectors
• Protection – Protects your biggest investment
• Peace of Mind – Knowing the job was done right
• Consistent Standards – Ensures safe construction standards

• Subsection 105.2 (c) of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code (AHMC) states that, "Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction." Permits are not be required as outlined in  Ordinance No. 19-445

Subsection 105.5 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant one extension of time for period of not more than 180 days. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. Extensions shall only be granted prior to the expiration of a permit.

When a permit has expired, work shall not recommence prior to obtaining a new permit. Requests to renew an expired permit shall be submitted to the building official, in writing, demonstrating justifiable cause and are subject to the approval of the building official. If approved by the building official, the fee shall be one half of the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications and that no changes have been made to applicable construction codes for such work, and provided further that the suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. To renew a permit after one year of suspension or abandonment, the permittee shall be required to pay a new full permit fee and be subject to construction codes in effect at the date of the new permit application.

Subsection 105.6 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “The building official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code wherever and whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulations or any of the provisions of this code.

The building official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code if construction noise is generated between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday and Federal Holidays. Construction noise is defined as noise that is disturbing, excessive, or offensive and constitutes a nuisance involving discomfort or annoyance to persons of normal sensitivity residing in the area, which is generated by the use of any tools, machinery, or equipment used in connection with construction operations.

The building official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code if dust is generated in excess of local, state or federal standards or conditions of project approval.”

Subsection 105.7 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “The building permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until completion of the project. Required permits and approved plans shall be maintained in good condition and be posted or otherwise made available such as to allow the building official to conveniently make the required review, inspection and entries related to the project.”

Subsection 105.10 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “No permit issued pursuant to Article VIII of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code shall be transferable to any other person or apply to any location other than that stated in the permit.”

Subsection 109.4 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a special investigation by the building official before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required for such work by this code.

Subsection 109.5.1 of Section 8103 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code states that, “A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections previously called for are not made. This section is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record permit card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested, or for deviation from the plans requiring the approval of the building official. Where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work shall be performed until the required fees have been paid.

The cost (fees) of the permit is based on the valuation of the material and labor of the scope of work for that project. In the event the work requires plans and documentation, all those documents must be approved prior to permit issuance. The permit fee must be paid in full in order for the permit to be issued and any inspection takes place.

All contractors doing work in the City of Agoura Hills must have a business license. To renew or apply for your business license please go to Business License.

Although a home-owner can pull a building permit in his/her name as an owner-builder, City staff recommends that California licensed contractor is hired to obtain the permit and perform the work.  Hiring a California Licensed Contractor means you do not personally perform any of the construction work, the permit is not taken out in your name, you are not personally responsible for the construction and you are not an Owner-Builder. Instead, you become a “Customer” and California law provides you the benefit of protection from poor workmanship, failure to finish the job, and financial risk due to worker injury.

 Benefit/Risk: Highest Benefits and the least amount of risk.

The term “Owner-Builder” can mean three different things. Understand each has Benefits or Risks, and it is possible to combine them!

1. “Owner as Worker”
Owner-as-Worker is a type of Owner-Builder where you personally perform the construction work, the permit is taken out in your name and you are personally responsible for the construction management, knowledge, workmanship, and completion of the job. You benefit by not paying others to perform this work for you and your risks depend on your own ability to complete the job successfully. 

 Benefit/Risk: Possible Benefits with Low Financial Risk

2. “Owner as Contractor”

Owner-as-Contractor is a type of Owner-Builder where you personally act as your own General Contractor, the permit is taken out in your name and you hire California licensed sub-contractors to perform portions of the construction work. WARNING: The benefit of protection provided by law when you hire only California licensed sub-contractors can turn to serious financial risk if you hire unlicensed contractors to perform any of the work.

  Benefit/Risk: Possible Benefit and Significant Financial Risk

3. “Owner as Employer”

Owner-as-Employer is a type of Owner-Builder where you pay any unlicensed individual to perform any construction work valued at more than $500.00, the permit is taken out in your name and you are personally responsible for their employment requirements, supervision, performance, safety, and welfare while on your property. WARNING: Cost savings benefits can turn into serious financial risk if you fail to deduct payroll taxes or provide workers' compensation insurance for each worker.

 Benefit/Risk: Possible Benefit and Significant Financial Risk

Considering Becoming an Owner-Builder?
(Health and Safety Code Section 19827) The California Legislature declares an “urgent and statewide public interest in assuring” that contractors comply with Contractors’ License Law, Business and Professions Code, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance requirements to ensure property owners are informed about and protected from the following when improving their property as Owner-Builders:

⮚ Fraudulent representations
⮚ Liability for Worker’s injuries
⮚ Liability for material and labor costs
⮚ Unpaid by contractors
⮚ Licensing requirements
⮚ Employers’ tax liabilities

Did you know?

• Unlicensed persons frequently have the property owner obtain an “Owner-Builder” building permit which erroneously implies that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and material personally.
• Your homeowner’s insurance may not provide coverage for injuries sustained on your property by an unlicensed contractor and his/her employees.
• If you are considered an “employer” under state and federal law, you must register with the state and federal government, withhold payroll taxes, provide workers’ compensation and disability insurance and contribute to unemployment compensation for each “employee”?
• If you fail to abide by these laws you may be subjected to serious financial risk.

OWNERS BEWARE AND CONSIDER THE RISK BEFORE ACCEPTING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT

Over 20,000 consumer complaints are filed each year. Many complaints relate to owner/builder projects and include workmanship and workers’ compensation issues Homeowners suffer financial harm due to defective workmanship and injured employees.

Following are some examples of what has occurred with Owner-Builder permits:

 Example 1: The homeowner received insurance money to rebuild a burned-down home.

Owner/Builder permit pulled to rebuild the structure.

The unlicensed contractor built a substandard structure—that must be torn down and replaced.

The estimated financial injury is $225,000.

Additional financial injury—IRS threatened to tax insurance payout if the house was not completed by the end of the year.

Example 2: Brother-in-law had an active license but filed an exemption from Workers’ Compensation.

Owner-Builder hires brother-in-law to install a new roof.

Employee falls and sustains multiple spinal and extremity fractures as well as head injury and remains in a coma to this day.

The Owner-Builder, who has sold the home, is now a defendant in a lawsuit for reimbursement for benefits paid to the injured worker.

Example 3: Employee of a contractor without Workers’ Compensation is hired by Owner-Builder to install a Septic system and suffers an injury that results in permanent disability.

The Owner-Builder did not have a homeowner’s insurance policy on the house against which to submit a claim.

The Owner-Builder is now a defendant in a lawsuit for reimbursement for benefits paid to the injured worker.