Community Development

The City of Torrance is warning property owners and developers to be alert for a scam in which criminals impersonate city staff to request fraudulent payments of permit fees.

Scammers are using publicly available permit information — such as property addresses, application numbers, and the names of officials — to send convincing emails that appear legitimate.  These emails may include professional formatting, detailed permit information, and attached invoices requesting payment via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment services, or cryptocurrency.  Messages often emphasize urgency and warn that delays in payment could affect the permitting process.

Please do not pay these fees, as it is not a legitimate request. The City of Torrance would never request a wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment services, or cryptocurrency.  

Please take the following precautions:

• Do not assume an email is legitimate based on letterhead, logos, or official names.
• Verify the sender’s email address and domain carefully.  All Torrance emails end in @TorranceCA.gov.
• Confirm any payment requests by contacting the City’s Permit Center directly at (310) 618-5910 or via email at CDDInfo@TorranceCA.gov.

If you believe you have received a fraudulent message or have been a victim of this scam, please report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/.  Please include any relevant email details and payment information.

The City of Torrance is warning property owners and developers to be alert for a scam involving fake notices requesting payment of "application approval fees" for rezoings, special use permits, and other land development requests.

The fraudulent letters appear to come from the City and claim that an application has been reviewed and approved pending payment of an attached invoice.  In some cases, the letters include specific property information, such as parcel numbers, zoning designations, and ownership details.

Please do not pay these fees, as it is not a legitimate request. The Planning Division does not request wire transfers nor payments prior to a project being reviewed by the City Planning Commission or City Council.  If an invoice for payment is received, and you are not sure if it is legitimate, please contact the Planning Division for verification at (310) 618-5990  or via email at CDDInfo@TorranceCA.gov. 

If you believe you have received a fraudulent message or have been a victim of this scam, please report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/.  Please include any relevant email details and payment information.

The Building and Safety Division helps protect public health and safety by ensuring construction projects comply with building codes and regulations. Services include building inspections, construction plan check, online permit and plan check services, and access to the Torrance Online Citizen Portal to view permit status.

The Engineering Division supports safe and efficient development throughout the City by reviewing and approving public and private improvement projects.

Services include contractor qualification requirements, permits and mapping, engineering standards and plans, and utility plan requests to ensure projects meet City requirements and infrastructure standards.

Welcome to the Neighborhood Services Division.

The Planning Division guides long-term growth and development in the City to create well-planned, livable communities. Services include the General Plan and Housing Element, support for the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, and administration of the Torrance Municipal Code.