A building permit is permission to begin construction – a legal document that provides a permanent construction record to certify a building project met the current building code requirements and, when necessary, conformed to approved plans and specifications. Permits also form a record of completed inspections and final approval. Some minor home improvement projects may not require a permit.
A building permit is permission to begin construction – a legal document that provides a permanent construction record to certify a building project met the current building code requirements and, when necessary, conformed to approved plans and specifications. Permits also form a record of completed inspections and final approval. Some minor home improvement projects may not require a permit.
A permit can only be issued to a contractor with the appropriate license(s), to the property owner in certain cases or to an authorized agent representing one of these two applicants.
Some permits will require additional agencies approvals before the permit can be issued. For example, installation of a private septic system will require Health Department approval.
Permit holder shall request an inspection within 12 months of issuance of the permit to avoid permit expiration. Follow up inspection must be requested every 180 days.
When a permit application is completed, and the plan check review is either approved or is not required, then a permit can be issued. Permit issuance is dependent upon the approval of other required agencies that may be triggered based on the scope of work. The permit can only be issued to a contractor with the appropriate license(s) Contractors State License Board (CSLB), to the property owner in certain cases, or to an agent representing one of these two permittees. A permit fee is collected, and the permittee is given the proper permit documents to start construction.
For a general road map of the permitting process, please click here
Generally, permits are required for the following:
For additional information see, Work Exempt from Permits
A home or business is a significant investment for a property owner. Work done without obtaining a required permit is illegal construction. Unpermitted construction can be problematic for a current or future property owner by affecting the resale value, causing additional cost to permit or demolish the unpermitted work, denial of insurance claims, possible civil or criminal prosecution, and uncertainty regarding the safety and quality of the unpermitted construction.
The permit can only be issued to a contractor with the appropriate license(s), to the property owner in certain cases, or to an authorized agent representing one of these two permittees. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), the Business and Professions code (BPC), and the building codes provide further information about who may obtain a permit for each specialty trade.
Although there are provisions that allow certain residential projects to be completed by a homeowner, most construction projects require the use of qualified, licensed contractors. It is your choice as to which contractor(s) you employ. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is responsible for issuing licenses to qualified contractors. For more information regarding hiring a contractor contact the (CSLB).
Construction permits need to be obtained from the local Building and Safety District Office that serves the proposed project address.
The permit expires if the work has not started within 12 months from the date of permit issuance, or if the work lapses for more than 180 days at any time after the start of work. The permittee may be granted one or more extensions of 180 days each, upon written request. Permits issued to abate violation(s) in conjunction with a code enforcement action shall expire and become null and void at a date determined by the Building Official. An extension fee of up to 25 percent of the permit fee may be required. When a permit expires, a new permit application shall be filed, and new plan check and permit fees shall be paid.
Permits records can be found at:
Once the grading plan is approved and the grading permit is issued, if the proposed grading is associated with a building permit, rough grade approval is required prior to obtaining the building permit. The grading permit will not be finalized, and any bond will not be released until all permits related to the grading work is finalized by the inspector.
Grading must comply with the following codes and manuals:
