Remodeling a Home in Agoura Hills: Permits, HOAs and Planning
Agoura Hills has a mix of 1970s and 1980s tract neighborhoods, newer gated communities and hillside custom homes, and the remodeling process differs a little for each. These are the questions we answer most often for Agoura Hills clients.
Which projects need a permit? Any kitchen or bathroom remodel that moves plumbing, adds or changes electrical circuits, or touches structure needs a building permit from the City of Agoura Hills. Cosmetic work such as painting, replacing cabinet doors or swapping a faucet does not. In practice, almost every remodel we do requires a permit, and we handle the application, plan check and inspections.
When does planning review apply? If your project adds square footage, changes the roofline or alters the exterior in a visible way, the city's planning department reviews it before Building & Safety issues permits. Hillside lots can have additional requirements. An interior kitchen or bathroom remodel does not go through planning review.
HOA approvals. Many Agoura Hills communities have architectural committees for exterior changes. A new window, skylight, sliding door or addition typically needs their approval. We prepare the drawings and samples the committee asks for and submit them in parallel with the permit so the approvals land at the same time.
Sequence the work. For a whole-home remodel we recommend this order: structural and layout changes first, then rough electrical and plumbing, then drywall, then cabinetry and tile, then flooring and paint. Kitchens and bathrooms done together save money because the trades are on site once rather than twice.
Budget drivers. In Agoura Hills the biggest variables are cabinetry line, countertop material, whether walls come down, and whether windows or doors are being replaced. We price after selections so the proposal is specific.
Where to start. Our showroom in Thousand Oaks is about 15 minutes away on the 101. Bring your floor plan or a few photos and we will walk through what is possible and what it will involve.