Lomita has its own city rules, and the calls reflect it
Lomita is an incorporated city, not a neighborhood. It was incorporated on June 30, 1964, covers about 1.9 square miles and had 20,921 residents at the 2020 census. Because it is its own city, permits, water service and building review come from city offices rather than from the city of Los Angeles.
That matters on the phone. When someone in Lomita calls about a leak, the first questions are who supplies the water, whether the home is rented and which city office handles permits. The sections below answer them.
When water is spreading in Lomita
Emergency calls come from kitchens, bathrooms and water heater closets in small homes and apartments that sit close together. The emergency line is open 24/7. Close the valve at the fixture or the main, switch off power to wet areas only from dry ground and lift belongings off the floor.
ZIP and size
ZIP code 90717 is Lomita. The post office is on Narbonne Avenue, and the city spans a compact area next to Harbor City and Torrance.
Water service
The city runs its own water operations, and California Water Service also serves part of Lomita through its Palos Verdes system, so the bill tells you which applies.
Permits
The city posts an online permit portal and a Building and Safety page. Ask the city before replacing drywall, plumbing or electrical.
Dispatch
Emergency dispatch is available around the clock, and same-day response is offered when available.
Who supplies your water, and who to call at the meter
The city's public works pages list water operations, water quality reports and a water meter shutoff page, which confirms that Lomita runs a water system of its own. California Water Service also serves part of Lomita through its Palos Verdes system. Look at the name on your bill and call that provider about the meter or a street main.
The utility is responsible for its side of the meter. What happens inside the walls is a restoration problem, and the shutoff valve at the house is the fastest control you have.
| Water issue | Who handles it | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Leak between meter and street | Your water provider | Call the provider listed on your bill. |
| Leak inside the building | Your plumber and the 24/7 line | Close the valve and call for extraction and drying. |
| Slow stain on a ceiling | The 24/7 line, then a plumber or roofer | Photograph it and request moisture readings. |
| Mold after a past leak | The 24/7 line | Describe where and call for an assessment. |
Rented homes and the Railroad Museum neighborhood
Of Lomita's 8,593 housing units, about 96 percent are occupied and just over 55 percent of those are rented. A leak in a rental calls for the same written notice to the landlord and the same photos as anywhere else. The city's Railroad Museum, opened in 1966, is a familiar landmark for giving directions.
If you are in a unit that shares walls with neighbors, tell them quickly. Water and mold move through walls, and the earlier everyone knows the smaller the repair.
Before we arrive: if water is still spreading
Shut the right valve
Close the fixture valve. If water keeps flowing, close the main at the house or ask the water provider about the meter.
Stay clear of power
Do not touch wet outlets. Use the panel only from dry ground.
Lift and photograph
Raise belongings off wet floors and photograph the source and the damage.
Report it
Tell the manager or owner in writing so the repair can be authorized.
Services most Lomita callers ask about
In ZIP 90717, the most common starting points are water damage cleanup after a leak and mold remediation when a damp wall has been ignored. Damage that has already dried and needs rebuilding goes to water damage repair, and drying is covered under water mitigation.
The line also covers nearby Harbor City and Torrance.
Water inside a Lomita home? Call the 24/7 line. Scope and price are explained before work starts.
☎ Call (424) 550-5662Questions from Lomita callers
Is emergency water removal available in Lomita?
Yes. The line is answered 24/7, and same-day response is offered when available. Crews work out of San Pedro.
Do you cover every ZIP code in Lomita?
Lomita is served as ZIP code 90717, which covers the whole compact city from the Narbonne Avenue area to its borders with Harbor City and Torrance. If your mailing address uses a neighboring ZIP, call and give your street name.
Who handles permits for repairs in Lomita?
The city has an online permit portal and a Building and Safety page. Ask the city about your scope before work begins.
Is my water provided by the city or by Cal Water?
Both serve parts of Lomita. Your bill names the provider and gives the number to call about the meter.
Does the landlord have to pay for repairs?
That depends on your lease and local law, and we cannot give legal advice. Document the damage and ask for a written response.
Lomita on the map
This map is centered on Lomita, a small city northwest of San Pedro near Narbonne Avenue.