Sierra Madre, the Village of the Foothills
Sierra Madre is a small city of about 11,300 people (2020 census) on 2.95 square miles, incorporated in 1907 and known as the Village of the Foothills. Its Wistaria vine, planted in the 1890s, covers about an acre; the Mount Wilson Trail starts in town. The city keeps its own police department and, since 2017, a paid fire department. The houses run to Craftsman bungalows and older cottages, especially in the canyon neighborhoods, whose narrow, winding roads and heavy vegetation shape how a remodel is staged.
| Item | Sierra Madre |
|---|---|
| Permit office | Building & Safety, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, 626-355-7138 |
| Counter hours | Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed Fridays and holidays |
| Online | Accela Citizen Portal: plan check, building and zoning applications |
| Who can pull a permit | A California licensed contractor or the property owner only |
| Permit triggers listed | Mechanical, electrical, plumbing work; structural alterations; sewer connections; demolishing 50%+ of a structure |
| Preservation | Mills Act program |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
City of Sierra Madre Building & Safety page, read October 2026.
Planning a remodel in a Sierra Madre cottage
- Canyon streets: plan dumpster placement, deliveries and parking before demolition day
- Small original baths: the clearances on the small bathroom page decide what fits
- Original built-ins and tile: often worth keeping in bungalows
- Owners who plan to stay: a curbless shower and grab bar backing are easiest while the walls are open
- Fridays: the counter is closed, so schedule permit visits Monday to Thursday
See small bathroom remodels, aging-in-place bathrooms and Craftsman and historic remodels. Because only a licensed contractor or the owner can pull a permit here, checking a CSLB license comes first.
Costs for Sierra Madre remodels
No published prices are specific to Sierra Madre. The Pasadena models next door put a mid-range full bath at $14,650 to $30,500 and a mid-range kitchen at $30,500 to $54,900 (homecostcheck, June 2026). Tight canyon access can add time for hauling and deliveries. The bathroom remodel cost page has the line items, and the permit guidecompares Sierra Madre's office with the others.
