Main Menu Close Menu

mail Contact

Search Close

Translate

Department

Community Development

Department

Community Response

Department

Convention and Cultural Services

Department

Finance

Department

Fire Department

Department

Human Resources

Department

Information Technology

Department

Mayor and Council

Department

Office of Public Safety Accountability

Department

Office of the City Attorney

Department

Office of the City Auditor

Department

Office of the City Clerk

Department

Office of the City Manager

Department

Office of the City Treasurer

Department

Police Department

Department

Public Works

Department

Utilities

Department

Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment

Category

hiking Activities

Arts & Culture

Camps

Classes & Group Activities

Community Centers

Events & Entertainment

Sports

Swimming

Category

pets Animals & Pets

Animals & Pets

Category

domain_add Building & Planning

Construction

Inspections

Planning

Property Lines & Surveying

Zoning

Category

store Business

Business

Cannabis

Economic Development

Innovation

Suppliers & Vendors

Category

account_tree City Administration

Accountability & Oversight

Boards & Commissions

City Attorney

City Manager

City Structure & Policies

Customer Service

Elections

Mayor & City Council

Transparency

Category

category City Assets & Data

City Buildings & Property

City Vehicles

Records

Transparency

Category

explore City Regions

Council Districts

Neighborhoods

Property Lines & Surveying

Zoning

Category

diversity_4 Community Support

Accessibility

Community Centers

Community Engagement

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Homelessness

Housing

Older Adults

Volunteering

Youth

Category

theater_comedy Culture & History

Arts & Culture

Events & Entertainment

Sacramento History

Category

business_center Employment

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Employees & Retirees

Employment

Volunteering

Workforce Development

Category

directions Infrastructure

Bridges

Drinking Water

Information Technology

Infrastructure Finance

Stormwater & Flooding

Streets & Roads

Trails

Wastewater & Sewer

Category

gavel Law, Code & Compliance

Code Enforcement

Inspections

Law & Code

Permits

Category

payments Money

Accounting

City Budget

Claims, Rebates & Discounts

Debt Management

Economic Development

Grants

Infrastructure Finance

Investment & Cash Management

Payments & Fees

Taxes

Category

park Outdoors & Sustainability

Bicycles

Boating

Camps

Climate & Sustainability

Parks

Scooters

Sports

Swimming

Trails

Trees

Weather

Category

local_police Safety

Alternative Response

Crime

Emergency Management

Emergency Response

Fire

Inspections

Police Department

Prevention & Personal Safety

Stormwater & Flooding

Weather

Category

directions_car Transportation

Bicycles

Boating

Driving

Electric Vehicles

Parking

Public Transportation

Scooters

Traffic

Walking

Category

delete_sweep Utility Services

Drinking Water

Recycling

Trash

Wastewater & Sewer

Back to categories Back to Departments

Search for content

SITE NAVIGATION

Permit Services

Required Building Permits

Permit Services

Required Building Permits

When is a permit required?

A permit is required for projects such as new construction, additions, remodeling, and repairs to electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems. Examples include:

New homes and buildings
Room additions
Enclosures and carports
Decks and patio covers
Garage conversions
Landscape irrigation
Retaining walls
Window replacements
Water services
Sewer services
Signs
Water heaters
Fences
Fireplaces and fireplace inserts
Skylights
Sheds
Shower/tub enclosure replacements
Swimming pools and spas
Re-roofing
Siding
Ceiling fans

How to obtain a permit?

Online Minor Permits: If you are a California licensed contractor, certain minor permits are available online.
Electronic Plan Check: Submit your project through our Electronic Plan Check program.
Public Counter: Visit the public counter for permit services.

When a permit is not required

A permit is not required in some cases. The following is a list of work exempt* from a permit:

One-story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet.
Fences not over 7 feet high. (3)
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
Sidewalks and driveways. (1)
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work. (2)
Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 18 inches deep.
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.2 of the California Residential Code.

* Unless within a design review or preservation district (or a historic landmark).

(1) Permits and approval from other City departments may be required.

(2) Related work may require a building permit, such as relocating electrical fixtures to accommodate new cabinets or counters.

(3) All proposed fencing is subject to Planning Division approval and applicable standards set forth in City Code Chapter 17.620 (Wall, Fence and Gate Regulations). Questions related to fencing requirements can be directed to the Planning Division at Planning@cityofsacramento.org.

ON THIS PAGE