Accessory structure
You need a building permit if you are building a structure that is separate from your house, like a garage, home office, or workshop.
Some accessory structures don’t need permits, like sheds or playhouses. To be exempt, it needs to be detached, 1-story, and less than 120 square feet.
Learn what to include with your accessory structure building permit application.
Accessory dwelling unit
An accessory dwelling unit is a secondary housing unit on a residential property.
Accessory dwelling units require planning approval before you can get a building permit. Learn about accessory dwelling unit planning permits.
If you are ready to get a building permit, learn what to include with your accessory dwelling unit building permit application.
Commercial
There are 2 kinds of commercial building permits. Most commercial projects require design review approvals before you can get a building permit.
Learn how to get started your commercial building permit application:
Deck
You need a deck permit if you are building a new deck or renovating an existing deck. This permit also applies to balconies, if it’s a stand-alone project and not part of a window or larger remodel project.
Learn what to include with your deck building permit application.
Electrical
You need an electrical building permit if you are doing electrical work, like rewiring, repairing, or installing an electrical circuit.
Learn what to include with your electrical building permit application.
Encroachment
You need an encroachment permit if you are performing work within the right-of-way (outside private property) or public easements. This includes work on:
- Sidewalks
- Driveways
- Curbs
- Storm drains
- Street tree pruning
- Street repair
- Traffic control
Learn what to include with your encroachment permit application.
EV Charger
If you want to install a charger for an electric vehicle, you need a permit.
Learn what to include with your EV charger building permit application.
Fence
If you want to build a fence 6 feet tall or less, you usually do not need a building permit.
You need a building permit if you want to build a fence that’s:
- Taller than 6 feet, including any retaining wall
- Located in a front set back
Before you can get a building permit for a fence, you need design review approval first.
Learn what to include with your fence building permit application.
Mechanical
You need a mechanical building permit if you are doing any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) work.
Learn what to include with your mechanical building permit application.
Plumbing
You need a plumbing building permit if you are doing any work with plumbing fixtures or pipes. Plumbing permits are often required when you are doing work in your kitchen or bathroom.
Learn what to include with your plumbing building permit application.
Pool
You need a permit if you are building or repairing a swimming pool or hot tub. You also need this permit if you are demolishing a pool.
Learn what to include with your pool building permit application.
Public building
New public buildings, or renovations to them, typically require planning and building permits.
If you are ready to get building permits, learn how to get started with your building permit application for a public building.
Residential
There are 2 types of residential building permits. Most residential projects require design review approvals before you can get a building permit.
Learn what to include with your residential building permit application:
Roof
You need a permit if you are installing a new roof or repairing an existing roof. If you are building a new roof as part of a larger project, the permit would fall under the residential home permit.
Learn what to include with your residential building permit application.
Seismic or structural upgrade
You need a seismic or structural upgrade permit if your project involves:
- Foundation replacements
- Seismic strengthening
- California Brace and Bolt Program
- Structural only improvements
Learn what to include with your seismic upgrade building permit application.
Sewer
You need a permit if you are working on the sewer line that connects your building (private sewer lateral) to the City’s main line.
New construction that requires a new connection to an existing sewer main may require a separate encroachment permit and the payment of a sewer connection fee.
Learn what to include with your sewer building permit application.
Site improvements
You need a site improvement permit for exterior projects, such as:
- Landscape/hardscape projects
- Retaining walls
- Exterior site stairs
- Patios
- Site features such as fountains, arbors, trellis, fire pits
- Site drainage
Most above ground exterior modifications require design review approval first.
Learn what to include with your site improvements building permit application.
Solar
You need a solar building permit if you are installing solar panels or batteries (energy storage system) on your property.
Learn what to include with your solar building permit application.
Water heater
You need a permit if you are installing or replacing a water heater. This applies to both interior and exterior projects. Exterior projects may require design review first.
Learn what to include with your water heater building permit application.
Windows and doors
You need a permit if you are replacing exterior doors or windows. This includes garage doors. Most window and door permits require design review first.
Learn what to include with your windows and doors building permit application.
Wireless communication facility
If you are building a wireless communication facility, you need planning approval first. Learn how to get a wireless communication facility planning permit.
If you are ready to get a building permit, learn how to get started with your wireless communication facility building permit application.