Q. Where are the fire pits?
A. The fire pits are located at City Beach, south of the Pier (536-5281), Huntington State Beach (536-1454), and Bolsa Chica State Beach (846-3460). The Fire Pits cannot be reserved.
Q. Can I camp at the beach?
A. Camping season at City Beach starts October 1st and goes through May 31st at the Sunset Vista RV Park. You can make reservations beginning August 1st for the months of October, November, December and beginning December 1st, for the months of February, March, April and May. Reservations may not be postmarked before those dates. No phone reservations are permitted. NO walk-in reservations. ONLY mailed. Reservations are picked by lottery with the one received with the same dates. There is a fourteen-day maximum stay.
Tent camping is not allowed. Fees for camping are due and payable daily. Camper vehicle or trailer and auto are $45 per day. Seniors (62 and older) and campers with Handicap placard are $40 per day. For more information call (714) 536-5280.
Bolsa Chica State Beach allows camping throughout the year. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles will be charged per night. Prices range from $29 - $44 per night, and tent camping is not permitted. For more information, call 800-444-7275.
Q. Are dogs allowed on the beach?
A. No dogs are allowed on or upon that beach area bounded by the Beach Service Road and the Pacific Ocean (the sand), including the water, except at Dog Beach, which extends from the northern curb line of 22nd Street to Seapoint Avenue. At Dog Beach, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet in length. Dogs may go off leash only when in the water. No dogs may be left unattended on the beach or in the water at any time. You must pick up after your dog and dispose of waste in the trashcans.
Q. How much does Beach Parking cost?
A. Daily parking in the municipal parking lot, between First Street and Beach Blvd., is available at $10 per day weekdays, weekends and 4th of July, rates are $20 per space, cars = $20/ motor homes or oversized vehicles $40. At the Pier Plaza parking lots, located adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier, the fee is $1.50 per hour, with a $12 daily maximum. A $12 daily flat fee is charged during the spring and summer months. Call (714) 536-5286 for further information.
Annual Municipal Beach parking passes are available January 1 through December 31. Pass holders may park in all beach parking lots from Beach Boulevard to the Pier. The pass is also valid at the off-street metered lots on the ocean side at Goldenwest, the metered lot adjacent to the Warner Fire Station boat ramp, at the meters from Beach Blvd. to the border of Bolsa Chica State Beach, and in the Pier Plaza parking lots.
Passes go on sale December 1 of each year. VISA and MasterCard accepted.
2006 Pass Fees:
- January, February, March-$125
- April, May, June-$100
- July, August, September-$75
- October, November, December- $25
BUILDING PERMITS
Q. What types of permits are issued by Building & Safety?
A. The Department of Building & Safety is responsible for the issuance of all building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, swimming pool, solar and fire permits.
Q. When are building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits required?
A. Building permits are required to erect, enlarge, alter, remove, demolish, or repair a structure in the City. This includes everything from houses and garages to commercial construction-tenant improvements, signs, fences, and re-roofing.
Q. Do all construction projects require a permit?
A. Many types of construction projects do not require a permit. For a specific list and description of those which do not require a building permit, please review the list on the Department's website or call (714) 536-5241 and press 0 when prompted.
Q. Where do I get a permit?
A. Permits may be obtained at the Department of Building & Safety counter on the 3rd floor of City Hall, 2000 Main Street.
Q. What are the hours?
A. Counter hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications for permits can processed until 3:30 p.m.
Q. How long does it take to get a permit?
A. How soon you can obtain a permit depends upon how complex your project is and how prepared your documents are:
Minor Projects
Generally, signs and non-engineered minor projects can be plan-checked over the counter. Minor projects include property line fences, small retaining walls, most re-roofing, most window and door installations, minor repairs, minor tenant alterations or remodels, and most small room additions less than 200 square feet.
Complex Projects
For projects that cannot be plan-checked over the counter, you will receive the first plan check comments approximately 3 weeks after the original submittal date. Subsequent submittals are usually processed within a week. Major projects may take as long as 5 weeks and may include outside consultants in the review process. Plans are reviewed in order of submittal date, on a first come, first served basis. A detailed plan check may include a review or check by Planning, Building & Safety, Fire, Public Works, AQMD and County Health.
Q. What is plan checking?
A. Plan checking is a function performed prior to the issuance of a permit and it assures you that to the best of our ability your plans meet the adopted California Codes and City Ordinances. Major projects and projects that require engineered calculations must be submitted to the City for careful review. Very minor projects may be reviewed over the counter if time permits.
Q. How many sets of plans do I have to submit?
A. Two complete sets of plans drawn to scale are required. For specific information on submittal requirements, please check out the "Help for the Home Builder Guide" in Building & Safety's section of the City's website or call (714) 536-5241 and press 0 when prompted.
Q. Do I need a permit for a swimming pool/hot tub?
A. A building permit is required for all swimming pools above ground or in-ground. Permits are also required for spas and hot tubs. Two sets of plans are required for permit issuance.
Q. What type of fencing is required for swimming pools and hot tubs?
Any swimming pool, hot tub, spa or similar outdoor body of water intended for swimming or recreational bathing (18" or more in depth) have specific fencing requirements. Information is available on the Department's website or call (714) 536-5241 and press 0 when prompted.
Q. Are permits required for accessory buildings?
A. A building permit is required for any storage shed or accessory building (such as a greenhouse or gazebo) over 120 square feet in floor area. If you believe an accessory building is being constructed without permits and violates zoning regulations, please call the Code Enforcement Section at (714) 536-5271.
Q. What are the requirements to build a block wall or fence?
A. You may obtain the fence requirements in the Zoning Code which is posted on the City's website. Go to "Elected Officials," then "City Clerk," then "Zoning Code." Or, you may contact the Planning Department at (714) 536-5271.
Q. Do I need a permit to build a wall? Can I add some lattice above my existing block wall?
A. Building permits are required for any walls that are taller than 42 inches. Building permit applications are available on the City's website. Go to "Building & Safety Department," then "Permit Apps/Info." Generally, the maximum height permitted in the City of Huntington Beach is 6 feet; however, the Zoning Code does permit walls at 8 feet in height subject to specific conditions.
A maximum two-foot (2') lattice extension (wood or plastic) that is substantially open may be added to the top of a six-foot (6') high wall or fence on the interior property line without a Building Permit so long as notification to the adjacent property owners is provided. Please contact the Planning Department at (714) 536-5271 to obtain specific information on block walls and fences.
Q. I'm building a room addition. What are my setbacks? A. Setback information can be obtained from our Zoning Code. You must know the zoning designation of your property in order to determine the setback information. Zoning information is available by contacting the Planning Department at (714) 536-5271.
Link to Zoning CodeQ. How much does a building permit cost?
A. Permit fees vary according to the type of construction. General building permit fees are based on the valuation or the cost of the project. Itemized fees are charged for subcontract permits, such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire permits. For further information, call (714) 536-5241 and press 0 when prompted.
Q. How do I get a copy of a permanent building record, such as blueprints?
A. Go to the 3rd Floor counter. Telephone requests are not available at this time. If research is required and assistance is needed, there will be an hourly charge for these services. Call (714) 536-5271 and press 0 when prompted, for a listing of charges or check out the Department's website.
Continue