Business License On-Line Renewals For your convenience, the City of Gardena now offers residents and businesses the option to renew their business license on-line. Click here to renew your business License on-line.

Alarm System Permit
Any residence or business with an alarm system must have a permit on file with the City. Effective March 2004, Alarm System Permit processing responsibility was transferred to the Police Department. If you need assistance or require additional information, click here.

Alarm System Permit

Building Permit
Most residential, commercial and industrial construction and demolition work whether it be new construction, remodels or alteration require a building permit. For example: signs, banners, fences, re-roofs, electrical upgrades, plumbing upgrades, window change outs all require a permit. For additional information regarding the building permit process click here.

General Building Permit
Fence & Reroof Permit
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Permit

Business Certificate of Occupancy
It is unlawful for any person to commence any business within a building without first having obtained a zoning clearance and a Certificate of Ocupancy from the City. Before a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued for that business, the premises must be inspected by a building inspector to ensure there are no major life safety issues and all inspection fees must be paid. The Certificate of Occupancy is also required BEFORE a Business License can be granted. For more information regarding the business licensing process and how to obtain a certificate of Occupancy click here.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
Most zoning districts have various permitted uses. The purpose of a "use permit" is to allow for special consideration of certain specified uses which may or may not be compatible with an area depending on the specifics of the particular project. In reviewing a use permit application, the staff and Planning Commission will evaluate such items as building placement and size, traffic generation, noise, hours of operation, adequacy of parking, circulation, proposed merchandise, landscaping, overall compatibility of the use with adjoining properties, other related development impacts, etc.. Conditions may be imposed as necessary to insure that the proposed use will be compatible with the environment.

Examples of business uses that require a Conditional Use Permit include: adult-oriented businesses, amusement arcades which constitutes a poolroom, billiard or social club, and businesses planning to provide entertainment or serve alcohol.

Conditional Use Permit Application

Development Permit
Examples of project activities that require a Development Permit include: conditional use permit, site plan review, variance, zone change or land division.

Before starting a project, applicants should make an appointment with a planner to discuss their project, required development permits, applicable development standards, fees, submittal package and other entitlements and requirements and environmental documentation that will be applicable to a proposed development project. To schedule an appointment call (310) 217-9530.

Development Permit Application

Encroachment & Excavation Permit
Any construction, reconstruction, repair or change to any excavation or encroachment in any street, curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway, storm drain, culvert, cable, highway light, or erects or maintains any pole, fence, guardrail or any other structure within a right-of-way, or conducts any traffic counts or interferes with the normal flow of traffic, or causes water to flow onto any street is required to obtain an encroachment permit from the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department This permit requirement also applies to house moving. Click here for additional information.

Fences and Re-roof Permit
The permit provided below is required for building a fence or to re-roof a building.

Fence & Reroof Permit Application

Oversized Load Permit (House Moving)
It is unlawful to move any load which exceeds the width, height, length or weight limits set forth in the California Vehicle Code (Oversized Load) over any public highway or public place (street) without first obtaining a permit from the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. This permit requirement also applies to house moving. Click here for additional information.

Home Occupation Permit
Home Occupation Permits are issued Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.and Friday between 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Certain home businesses are permitted by the City to be carried on by the inhabitant of a dwelling. The permitted business must be incidental and secondary to the use of the structure for living purposes and cannot change the character or adversely affect the uses permitted in the zone and vicinity.

The home occupation permit application must be approved by the landlord or, if you reside in a condominium or any of the gated single family gated residential developments (Emerald Square, Redondo Village), the authorization of an authorized officer of the homeowners association must be on the application. Upon approval you must proceed to obtain a business license. Click here for additional information.

Home Occupation Permit Application

Sign Permit
Signs and banners are regulated by City ordinance as to size, number, location and height. This ensures compatibility between signs and other structures and reduces possible detrimental effects. Prior to installing, altering or moving a new or existing sign, plans must be first submitted to and approved by the Community Development Department. For further information, contact the City Planning Division at (310) 217-9530.

Sign Permit Application

Sewer Permit
Any construction or activity which involes the consturction, repair, or altereration of any public sewer, main line sewer, house lateral, sewage pumping plant requires a permit from the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. Click here for an application and additional information.

Sewer Connection Permit
Any construction or activity which involves connecting to a public sewer requires a permit from the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. The permit requirements do not apply to the county sanitation district, its chief engineer, its contractors or city contractors. Click here for an application and additional information.

Temporary Use Permit (TUP)
Permits may be obtained at specific locations for certain temporary activities and/or facilities that would otherwise be inappropriate on a permanent basis. Such uses may be permitted for a period of four days to a maximum of six months, with a possible extension. For more information regarding Temporary Use Permits click here.

Temporary Use Permit

Truth in Sales (Property Information Report)
The city requires a Property Information Report be made available to the buyer of ANY property in the city of Gardena. The seller or their agent is required to file the request for the report. Failure to offer the information to a buyer is a misdemeanor violation. The Property Information Report provides information about the status of property and structures that a buyer should be aware of, prior to closing escrow. The report includes a report of city records and restrictions applicable to the property and includes the results of an exterior inspection of the property. The reports are good for 6 months and are not required for units in a condominium project. For an application and additional information click here.