LA County Public Works, Altadena Building & Safety office
Rebuild and new-construction permits, plan check, and inspections, with applications tracked in EPIC-LA.
LA County one-stop permit centersService area · Altadena
Custom homes, remodels, and rebuilds in Altadena.
Altadena is an unincorporated LA County community directly north of our Pasadena office. Since the January 2025 Eaton Fire, much of the work in Altadena is rebuilding, alongside remodels and new homes on lots outside the burn area. ROAM Design Studio LLC takes projects through LA County permitting, and ROAM Builders Inc. (CSLB Lic. #1151324) builds them.
Permits
Who issues building permits in Altadena.
Altadena is governed by Los Angeles County. The Altadena Building & Safety office at 464 W. Woodbury Rd., Suite 210, also houses the County's one-stop permit center for Eaton Fire rebuilds.
What ROAM Design Studio LLC does
We confirm zoning and any overlays for your address, prepare the permit set with the licensed engineers your project needs, submit to LA County, and respond to plan-check comments, as set out in your design agreement.
Residential design and permit servicesLocal considerations
What shapes projects in Altadena.
- Altadena Community Standards District. For R-1 lots, the County's summary of the district limits homes to two stories above grade, with a basement counting as a story and a cellar not counting. Height is 30 feet on lots under 20,000 square feet and 35 feet on larger lots, and size is capped by a lot-area formula.
- Like-for-like or a new design. Eaton Fire rebuilds can use the County's like-for-like pathway, which allows up to 10% or 200 square feet of growth, whichever is greater. Larger or redesigned homes follow the Community Standards District, which calls for a 20-foot front setback on rebuilds unless a Setback District applies.
- Septic and soils. Many Altadena lots still use septic systems, and basements or deep foundations need a soils report.
Fire rebuilds: see our Altadena fire rebuild guide, the permit guide, and how ROAM handles Eaton Fire rebuilds.
Sources: Altadena CSD summary (LA County Planning), LA County like-for-like rebuild, reviewed October 2026. Requirements change; confirm them with the agency for your property.
ROAM is not affiliated with LA County Public Works, Altadena Building & Safety office or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or permitting advice.
What we do in Altadena
Design, permits, and construction from one coordinated team.
New custom homes
Ground-up single-family homes, including one-story homes with basements, designed by ROAM Design Studio LLC and built by ROAM Builders Inc. (CSLB Lic. #1151324).
Custom homesRemodels and additions
Kitchens, primary suites, whole-house renovations, and additions, from design and permits through construction.
Remodels and renovationsFire rebuilds
Rebuild planning, permits, and wildfire-resistant construction for homes lost in the Eaton Fire.
Eaton Fire rebuildsCommon questions
Building in Altadena.
Does a basement count as a story in Altadena?
Under LA County's summary of the Altadena Community Standards District, a basement counts as a story and a cellar does not, and homes are limited to two stories above grade. The difference turns on how far the level sits below grade, so we confirm the definition for your design with County Planning.
Can I remodel or add on to an undamaged Altadena home?
Yes. Remodels and additions follow the County zoning code and the Altadena Community Standards District, with permits through LA County Public Works.
What is a like-for-like rebuild in Altadena?
For the Eaton Fire area, LA County's like-for-like pathway lets you rebuild in the same location and use, growing by up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater, without meeting current zoning, though current building and fire codes apply. Our Altadena rebuild guide covers it in detail.
Nearby
Other foothill communities we serve.
Pasadena · La Cañada Flintridge · Sierra Madre · All service areas
Planning a project in Altadena?
Our office: 2012 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103.