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California building permits
Adopted codes, fees, and permit requirements for every covered California city — browse by county, sourced from official records.
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Do I need a permit? — California guides
- Window ReplacementUsually no — but yes if you change the size of the opening.
- FenceSometimes — many fences need only zoning/setback approval; a building permit kicks in mainly for fences over 7 feet or with structural elements.
- DeckYes — unless it's a small ground-level platform under 200 sq ft.
- Water HeaterYes — even for a like-for-like replacement.
- Basement FinishYes — any framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires a permit.
- Solar PanelsYes — both a building and electrical permit are required.
- Roof ReplacementYes — all roof replacements and re-roofing projects require a permit.
- Hot TubYes — at minimum an electrical permit for the 240V circuit.
- ShedUnder 200 sq ft and under 10 feet tall? Usually no. Bigger? Yes.
- Furnace ReplacementYes — even a like-for-like furnace swap requires a mechanical permit.
- EV ChargerLevel 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.
- Patio Cover / PergolaSolid roof covers yes. Open-lattice pergolas may be exempt.
- Home BusinessYes — most cities require a home occupation permit.
- ADU / In-Law SuiteOften yes — many states now require cities to allow at least internal ADUs.
- Concrete / DrivewayOnly if it connects to the street, modifies drainage, or is a structural element.
- Commercial Tenant ImprovementAlmost always yes — a commercial tenant improvement needs a building permit, usually with electrical, mechanical, and fire permits alongside it.
- California PermitsYes, and in California the statewide code reaches you by default rather than by local adoption: if your city or county does nothing, the California Building Standards Code applies to it automatically. Local amendments are possible only on express findings, and between 1 October 2025 and 1 June 2031 a city or county generally may not amend the residential provisions at all.
Permit types across California
View all →Compare a permit type’s fees across every California city we cover.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) PermitBuilding PermitCommercial Building PermitDemolition/Removal PermitElectrical PermitExpress Permit (no plan check)Mechanical / HVAC PermitOnline Building Permit (SJPermits.org)Plumbing PermitResidential Building Permit (New Construction)Roofing Permit (Reroof)Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit