General Plan & zoning compliance

Projects must follow:

• Zoning ordinance requirements
• General Plan
• Specific plan for the area (if applicable)

Preliminary review

Preliminary review is an optional, but highly recommended, step in the review process. It allows you to get early and informal feedback before you submit an application for a project. Learn more about preliminary review.

Discretionary reviews

Design review will be required for the project. Depending on the nature of the project the following discretionary reviews may also be required:

• Conditional Use Permit
• General Plan Amendment
• Specific Plan

These reviews are separate from the site development permit and building permit applications. If your project is subject to changes during design review, do not apply for a building permit until the design is approved.

For projects with a high probability of being approved, you may apply for a building permit before finishing the design review stage. However, you assume all risk that changes and additional fees might be required.

Site development permit

A site development permit is required if external site improvements are involved in a project. This is a separate application process from the discretionary and building permit review processes. It must be completed before approval of a building permit. 

Encroachment permit

Any work performed in the public right of way requires an encroachment permit.

During the holiday moratorium (Thanksgiving Day through New Years Day), construction within the downtown Core Area and Ygnacio Valley Road may not obstruct any:

• Lane
• Sidewalk
• Parking

Submittal requirements

Building permits are required for projects that involve:

• Construction
• Demolition
• Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work
• Re-roofing
• Solar
• Signs
• Swimming pools

Depending on the nature of work there are a variety of requirements that you will need to include with your building permit application. See the forms and documents section on this page for submittal requirements.

Current building code

The permit application date determines which codes are in effect for the project. Only those building codes that are in effect at the time of application will apply to the project.

Fees

Several types of fees are required:

• Basic plan review and permit fees. These are collected when you apply for a permit. A permit technician can give you an estimate and guidance on which fees will apply to your project.
• Administrative fees. These are collected before you are issued your permit. They include fees for training, technology, document imaging, waste management, general plan and green building.
• State mandated fees. These are collected before you are issued your permit and are sent to the State of California. They include a Strong Motion Instrumentation (SMI) program and CALGreen fees.
• Development fees. Depending on the nature of your project, these fees may be required. They may include Public Arts in-lieu, traffic impact, property development tax, commercial linkage, inclusionary housing, and parkland dedication.

Learn more about fees, rates, and deposits.

City review

The following divisions will review your project:

• Planning (design review, site development review, building review, final inspection)
• Engineering (design review, site development review, encroachment review, building review, final inspection)
• Building (building review, final inspection)
• Traffic engineering (design review, site development review, building reviews for safety for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles within the City)
• City Arborist (design review, site development review, building review for conformance to the city's Tree Preservation Ordinance)

Learn more about these divisions.

Outside agency review

The applicant needs to contact these agencies and get approval from them before a permit can be issued.

• Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau (all projects)
• Health Department (only those projects with food services or hazardous materials)
• Sanitary District (all projects)
• School District (all projects with new conditioned area)
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District (only those projects that are regulated under BAAQMD)

Waste management

If your project triggers the City’s waste management ordinance, you will need to submit a waste management plan before a permit can be issued. A final report will be required before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. Learn more about the waste management program.

Special inspection

If the work involves anything included in California Building Code Chapter 17, you need to hire a special inspector. The permit will not be finalized until the inspection provides a final report. Learn more about special Inspections.

Demolition permit

A building demolition permit is required for the complete removal of a building. Each building being demolished requires its own permit.

Pre-construction meeting

Before a building permit is issued, a pre-construction meeting is required with the planning, engineering, and building divisions. At these meeting we will discuss:

• How to contact you and how you can best contact us
• Hours of work
• How to schedule inspections
• How to submit revisions and deferred submittal items
• Final inspection and occupancy process

Hours of work

Construction can occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, except on City holidays. The building official may give permission for after hours work under certain circumstances.

In-progress inspections

After a building permit is issued, inspections during the construction phase are required.

Deferred submittal items must be cleared before an inspection can take place. Typical deferred items include:

• Deferred truss calculations
• Revisions to plans
• Architects or engineer's RFIs or supplemental instructions which required plan review
• Deferred stair designs

Learn about scheduling inspections.

Final inspection

After construction is complete, final inspections are needed from the following:

• Planning division, call (925) 256-3558
• Engineering division, call (925) 943-5839
• Fire department, call (925) 941-3300
• Health department, call (925) 692-2500
• Building division (must be last), call (925) 943-5833

You will need to collect signatures and dates on the field inspection card. All deferred items must be cleared. Final reports for waste management and special inspections are also due at this time.

Certificate of occupancy

After the final inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. Copies will be sent to the applicant and property owner.