01
Start Here
Groundwork & Research
▾
0%
Do this before spending a dime. Pull your records, know your building's current status, and get a free pre-application consult. This phase costs nothing and saves everything.
Pull permit history on the property
Find your current occupancy classification and all permits on file.
Critical First
Online: Register at dbs.lacity.gov → PermitLA → search your address
In person: Any LADBS Development Services Center — no appointment needed for records
Look for: current occupancy group (likely Group B or M), any open violations, previous Certificate of Occupancy
Book free Pre-Application Consultation with LA County DPH
Covers food facility, well water, and permit questions in one meeting — before you file anything.
Call First
LA County DPH Environmental Health: (626) 430-5560 or (213) 351-7352
Tell them: you're converting an old commercial building to a private assembly/club use with well water and limited food service (packaged snacks)
This is free and will tell you exactly which permit tiers apply before you spend anything
Call LADBS to confirm Change of Occupancy requirements
Ask specifically: what's required to change my building to Group A (Assembly) use?
Call
LADBS: (213) 482-0000
Ask: "What is required to change occupancy to Group A-2 or A-3 for a private social club on this address?" They'll tell you what plan check is needed.
Locate existing well records and permit
Find any prior well permit, drilling logs, or water quality test history for the property.
Call DPH
LA County DPH Drinking Water Program: (626) 430-5420
If you can prove prior approval: you skip yield testing (saves $2,000–$5,000). Still need water quality testing regardless.
Look in the property files, county records, or ask the previous owner. Any C-57 licensed driller's report counts.
Get SCE service availability quote
Even if going solar, find out what grid connection would cost — it shapes your solar decision.
Call SCE
Southern California Edison New Construction: (800) 655-4555
Ask for a "New Service Extension" quote. If nearest line is far, connection cost ($5K–$30K+) often makes full solar more attractive.
02
Building Permits
Assembly Occupancy
▾
0%
Your building is currently permitted as commercial/retail (Group B or M). You need it reclassified to Group A-2 or A-3 (Assembly) — this is the core permit that unlocks everything else. Every other agency follows this.
File Change of Occupancy application with LADBS
Submit plans to reclassify the building to Group A (Assembly). Triggers full plan check review.
File Online
Submit via ePlanLA at dbs.lacity.gov — create Angeleno Account first
Required docs: existing floor plans, proposed use layout, occupant load calculation, exit plan, structural info
Permit fees: typically $2,000–$8,000 depending on square footage and scope
Key law: any change of occupancy group requires a new Certificate of Occupancy whether or not physical work is done
Pass plan check — exits, occupant load, restrooms, ADA
LADBS reviews your plans. They'll flag what must be upgraded before issuing the new CO.
Hire Architect
Exits: Number and width of exits based on occupant load. Panic hardware required over 49 people.
Restrooms: Fixture count may need to increase for new occupant load. ADA compliance triggered if you do construction.
ADA: Only mandatory if you do permitted construction work. No construction = may not trigger ADA upgrades.
Electrical: Panel inspection likely required.
Complete required physical upgrades
Any exits, signage, hardware, electrical, or accessibility work flagged in plan check.
Hire Contractor
Cost range: $5,000–$50,000+ depending on what LADBS flags. Old commercial buildings in decent shape often land on the lower end.
Hire a licensed C-10 (electrical), C-36 (plumbing), or B (general contractor) as needed. All must be CSLB licensed.
Pass LA County Fire Marshal inspection
Separate from LADBS. Fire checks exits, emergency lighting, sprinklers, and occupant load posting.
Required
LADBS forwards Group A occupancy to the Fire Department automatically. They contact you to schedule.
Fire checks: exit hardware, emergency lighting, sprinkler coverage (if required), exit signage, occupant load sign posted
If going off-grid solar: your emergency lighting and exit signs must have dedicated battery backup that functions independently of your main system.
Receive Certificate of Occupancy (Group A)
The finish line for building permits. MHM is legally permitted to operate as an assembly space.
Milestone
CO specifies your maximum occupant load — post this visibly inside the club. It's the legal cap on how many members can be in at once.
Once received, this unlocks your ability to apply for food facility permit, club business license, and operate.
03
Utility Decision
Grid Power via SCE
▾
0%
Unincorporated LA County = Southern California Edison (SCE). Not LADWP. LADWP only serves inside LA city limits. If you need a power pole or new service, SCE is who you call. If going full solar, skip to Phase 4.
Call SCE — open New Service Request for commercial use
Give them the address, tell them it's a commercial assembly building. They'll assign an engineer.
Call SCE
SCE New Construction: (800) 655-4555 — ask for "New Construction / Electric Service Extensions"
SCE site survey — get Cost to Connect estimate
SCE engineer visits, determines distance to nearest line, whether a pole is needed, and total cost.
Await SCE
New pole installation: $5,000–$30,000+ depending on distance from nearest line. You pay for any extension infrastructure.
If this number is high, compare to full solar cost — in rural/unincorporated county areas this is often what tips the decision to solar.
Hire licensed electrician — run building-side service entrance
SCE owns up to the meter. You own everything after. A licensed C-10 electrician handles your side.
Hire C-10
Service entrance, panel, meter base, grounding — all must be installed by CSLB licensed C-10 electrician and inspected by LADBS before SCE will energize.
LADBS electrical inspection + SCE meter set and energize
LADBS inspects your panel work, then SCE installs the meter and turns on power.
Milestone
SCE will not set a meter until LADBS signs off on your electrical permit. Do these in the right order.
04
Energy Independence
Solar + Battery System
▾
0%
Three paths available. Grid-tied (simplest), grid-tied with batteries (best value + resilience), or full off-grid (complete independence). Under California's 2025 Energy Code, any commercial solar system requires batteries unless your building is under 5,000 sq ft conditioned space. Battery sizing = roughly 5 kWh per 1 kW of solar installed.
Choose your solar path (grid-tied / hybrid / off-grid)
Grid-tied = SCE as backup. Hybrid = batteries + SCE. Off-grid = fully independent, no utility bill.
Decide First
Grid-Tied: Solar feeds building, excess goes to SCE grid. Simpler. Under NEM 3.0, export rates are ~75% lower than retail — batteries now essential for ROI.
Hybrid (Recommended): Solar + batteries + SCE as backup. Best resilience. Federal 30% ITC tax credit on both solar and batteries. Qualifies for SCE rebates.
Full Off-Grid: 100% legal in CA. No utility connection, no SCE account, no monthly bill. Emergency life-safety circuits must have dedicated battery circuit or generator backup.
Hire licensed solar contractor — get system design + load calculation
A licensed engineer or solar contractor calculates your panel count, battery bank size, and inverter specs using CEC-approved software.
Hire Solar Co.
Must use EnergyPro or CBECC-Com software for Title 24 compliance. You cannot self-calculate for permit purposes.
Battery sizing formula: Lesser of 5 kWh per 1 kW of solar OR building peak demand. Example: 10 kW solar = minimum 50 kWh battery bank (≈ 3–4 Powerwalls or 1–2 commercial units).
All batteries must be CEC-certified. Check the CEC certified battery list at energy.ca.gov before purchasing.
Exception: If your conditioned floor area is under 5,000 sq ft AND battery requirement calculates to under 10 kWh, battery mandate may not apply. Confirm with your engineer.
Submit solar permit to LADBS — electrical + structural plans
Submit electrical schematics, structural engineering report, roof plan, and manufacturer specs.
File with LADBS
Required docs: electrical schematic with inverter locations and wiring, structural engineer report confirming roof load capacity, roof layout diagram, manufacturer spec sheets for all components
Fire code requires specific clearance pathways on roof for smoke ventilation access — this affects panel layout. Your solar contractor must account for this in the design.
Old commercial buildings especially need structural analysis — roof may need reinforcement for panel load.
Install solar + battery system
Panels, inverters, battery bank, wiring, charge controllers. Emergency lighting circuit if off-grid.
Hire Solar Co.
If off-grid: Emergency lighting and exit signs are life-safety systems. They must have a dedicated battery circuit that works even if your main solar system fails. Fire marshal will check this.
Battery storage location is subject to fire code — placement rules for lithium battery banks. Your solar contractor + fire marshal sign off on placement.
LADBS inspection + (if grid-tied) SCE interconnection approval
LADBS inspects the full installation. Grid-tied systems also need SCE interconnection sign-off.
Milestone
Off-grid only: LADBS electrical inspection is all you need. No SCE involvement.
Grid-tied: After LADBS approval, submit SCE interconnection application. SCE approves grid connection and installs bidirectional meter.
Federal ITC (Investment Tax Credit): 30% tax credit on total solar + battery system cost. Apply at tax time via IRS Form 3468. Use a CPA familiar with energy credits.
05
LA County DPH
Well Water Approval
▾
0%
California law (CalCode §114192) requires any food facility — including a private club serving packaged snacks — to have potable water meeting Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Your well must be tested and approved. Once approved for food service, it becomes a Transient Noncommunity Water System with quarterly bacteriological testing ongoing.
Contact LA County DPH Drinking Water Program
Open a case, confirm existing well status, and get the current application packet.
Call DPH
LA County DPH Drinking Water Program: (626) 430-5420
Tell them: you have an existing well on a commercial property in unincorporated LA County and need Water Supply Approval for food service use.
Processing time: approximately 10 business days after receipt of application and fees.
Hire C-57 licensed well contractor — collect water samples
Samples must be collected by a licensed well driller and sent to an ELAP-certified lab. No DIY.
Hire C-57
Tests required: total coliforms, E. coli (bacteriological) + primary inorganic chemicals (arsenic, nitrates, lead, etc.)
Must use an ELAP Certified Laboratory (CA Environmental Lab Accreditation Program). Your C-57 contractor will know which labs to use.
If you have prior well permit proof: you skip the yield test (saves $2K–$5K). Still need water quality testing regardless.
Submit results to DPH — receive Water Supply Approval Letter
DPH reviews your lab results. If they pass, they issue the Water Supply Approval Letter. If not, they send a mitigation packet.
Submit to DPH
Water Supply Approval Letter = your well is legal for potable use. This is required before your food facility permit can be issued.
If results fail: DPH provides a mitigation packet with options. Common fixes: chlorination, filtration systems, or point-of-use treatment. Budget extra time if this happens.
Set up ongoing quarterly testing schedule
Once approved for food service, your well requires quarterly bacteriological + annual chemical testing. Set a calendar reminder.
Ongoing
Quarterly: Bacteriological (coliforms, E. coli) — results submitted to LA County DPH Environmental Health
Annually: Chemical testing for inorganic contaminants
Ongoing testing cost: roughly $200–$600/quarter depending on lab. Factor this into MHM operating budget.
06
Health Department
Food Facility Permit
▾
0%
Even serving packaged snacks and water to paying members requires a food facility permit in California. "Private club" does not exempt you. The good news: no cooking means no commercial kitchen, no hood system, and you'll likely qualify for a limited food facility classification — the lightest tier.
Submit food facility plan check application to LA County DPH
New food facilities must go through plan check before opening. Required even for limited/snack service.
File with DPH
LA County DPH Plan Check: (626) 430-5560
Submit floor plan showing food storage area, hand-washing sink location, restrooms, and water source (your approved well)
No cooking = no commercial hood or grease trap requirements. Your setup is the simplest possible food facility.
Pass DPH Environmental Health inspection
Inspector visits the site to verify hand-washing facilities, food storage, water source approval, and cleanliness standards.
Required
At minimum you need: a hand-washing sink accessible to food handling area, soap + paper towels, and approved water source documentation (your DPH Water Supply Approval Letter)
Pre-packaged, non-perishable snacks must be stored off the floor, in a clean, dry, covered area. No bare food contact required — just proper storage.
Receive Food Facility Permit — renewed annually
Once issued, MHM is licensed to serve packaged food and beverages to members. Renew every year.
Milestone
Annual permit fee: $500–$2,000 depending on facility type and risk classification. Limited food facility = lowest tier fee.
DPH conducts routine inspections — typically 1–2x/year unannounced. Keep storage areas clean and hand-washing sink stocked at all times.
07
Don't Do This Alone
Hire the Pros
▾
0%
Permit expediters and permit consultants are the single best money you can spend. They know LADBS plan checkers personally, know what gets flagged, and can cut your approval timeline from 6 months to 6 weeks. Below are the types of pros you need and what they handle.
Hire a Permit Expediter / Permit Consultant
They navigate LADBS on your behalf — submit, track, respond to corrections, and get you approved faster.
Highest ROI
Permit Place LA — permitplace.com — LA-based expediting firm, commercial specialty
California Permit Services — californiapermitservices.com — handles LADBS + county permits
FastPermit.com — LA/SoCal commercial permit expediters
Cost: typically $1,500–$5,000 flat or hourly. Often saves months of back-and-forth and pays for itself many times over.
Hire a licensed Architect (AIA) — Title 24 experience required
Needed for Change of Occupancy plans, ADA analysis, occupant load calcs, and stamped drawings for LADBS.
Required for CO
Find on: aia.org/find-an-architect — filter for LA County, commercial/tenant improvement experience
Verify CA license at cab.ca.gov (CA Architects Board). Ask specifically about Assembly occupancy and Title 24 experience.
Cost: $3,000–$15,000 depending on scope. Get 3 bids.
Hire a C-57 Licensed Well Contractor
Required by LA County DPH to collect water samples. Also handles well inspection, yield testing if needed, and any well rehabilitation.
Required by DPH
Verify C-57 license at cslb.ca.gov (CA Contractors State License Board)
Search: "C-57 well contractor Los Angeles County" — companies like Layne Christensen, Pacific Drilling, or local well services firms
Sample collection + testing coordination: typically $500–$2,000 depending on tests required
Hire a licensed Solar + Battery Installer (NABCEP certified preferred)
Handles system design, Title 24 compliance calcs, LADBS permit filing, and SCE interconnection if grid-tied.
Hire Solar Co.
Find NABCEP-certified installers at nabcep.org/installer-locator — filter for commercial, LA County
For off-grid commercial specifically, ask for installers with off-grid commercial experience — not all residential solar companies handle this
Must hold a C-10 (Electrical) license. Verify at cslb.ca.gov. Get 3 bids and ask each for a Title 24 compliance approach for your occupancy type.
Hire a General Contractor (B license) for any construction work
If plan check flags exit hardware, electrical, ADA work, or restrooms — you need a licensed GC to pull and execute those permits.
If Needed
Verify B (General Building) license at cslb.ca.gov
Look for a GC with commercial tenant improvement (TI) experience in LA County specifically — they'll know the local LADBS inspectors and what passes.
Find via: buildzoom.com — filter for licensed LA contractors, commercial TI experience, reviews
Hire a CPA familiar with CA energy tax credits
The 30% federal ITC on solar + batteries is real money. You need a CPA who knows how to claim it for commercial property.
Save Money
Federal ITC: 30% of your total solar + battery system cost as a tax credit. On a $60,000 system that's $18,000 back. Filed via IRS Form 3468.
Also look into: SCE's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) — rebates for battery storage in commercial buildings. Ask your solar installer about current SGIP availability.