You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-13.
Sacramento building permits
VerifiedSacramento, California — as published 2026-09-13.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
VerifiedSacramento states the trigger as a scope list rather than a definition: 'A permit is required for projects such as new construction, additions, remodeling, and repairs to electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- The City's own examples run wider than most readers expect - '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'.
- Sacramento is unusually direct about eligibility: 'Anyone may apply. However, by law, building permits can be issued to:' property owners, licensed contractors, and authorised agents. An owner is 'required by state law to sign an owner-builder verification stating that they are actually doing their own work and are exempt from the requirement of having Workers Compensation Insurance, or they will be required to provide a certificate of insurance.'
- A licensed contractor 'must provide a Certificate of Workers Compensation Insurance.' and an authorised agent 'must complete the form.'
Required documents
- RequiredElectronic plan submissionSacramento accepts electronic plan check submittal; paper submittal at the public counter remains available.
- OptionalOwner-builder verificationRequired by state law where the property owner is the permit holder, unless a certificate of insurance is provided instead.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fees | Published separately in the City's building fee pages | The required-permits page carries no dollar figures; Sacramento publishes Building Fees, Fee estimates and a Residential Fee Schedule as separate pages. No figure is asserted here because none was read. |
Electrical Permit (Residential electrical minor work)
VerifiedSacramento issues residential electrical work as a minor permit through its Public Permit Portal, and enumerates the scopes: 'Residential electrical minor work: Main and sub service panels Rewire work Whole house fans Ceiling fans New electrical circuit'.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- Available online to California licensed contractors through the Public Permit Portal.
- Named scopes are main and sub service panels, rewire work, whole house fans, ceiling fans and new electrical circuits.
- Separately, where SMUD or PG&E have asked for a safety inspection of gas plumbing and/or electrical systems, Sacramento says 'Homeowners can schedule these inspections.'
Required documents
- RequiredApplication via the Public Permit PortalSacramento's online portal. Contractors must register with it before pulling minor permits online.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit (Residential electrical minor work) fees | See the City's average minor permit costs | The minor permits page does not print figures inline; it links to average total permit cost for common residential minor permits. No amount is asserted here. |
Plumbing Permit (Residential plumbing minor work)
VerifiedResidential plumbing is issued as a minor permit, with the scopes named: 'Residential plumbing minor work Sewer repair and replacement Re-plumbing of supply and drainage piping Fixture replacement'.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- Available online to California licensed contractors through the Public Permit Portal.
- Named scopes are sewer repair and replacement, re-plumbing of supply and drainage piping, and fixture replacement.
- Water heaters are listed separately from plumbing minor work - 'Residential and commercial water heaters' are their own scope and are one of the three a homeowner may pull.
Required documents
- RequiredApplication via the Public Permit PortalSacramento's online portal. Contractors must register with it before pulling minor permits online.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Permit (Residential plumbing minor work) fees | See the City's average minor permit costs | The minor permits page does not print figures inline; it links to average total permit cost for common residential minor permits. No amount is asserted here. |
Mechanical Permit (Residential HVAC)
VerifiedHeating, ventilation and air conditioning is a minor permit scope, and the City bounds it by dwelling type: 'Residential Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) - one and two family dwelling units only'.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- Available online through the Public Permit Portal; the scope is expressly limited to one and two family dwelling units.
- A homeowner may pull a 'Residential HVAC change out' online for single-family or duplex.
- Water heaters are a separate named scope covering 'Residential and commercial water heaters'.
Required documents
- RequiredApplication via the Public Permit PortalSacramento's online portal. Contractors must register with it before pulling minor permits online.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit (Residential HVAC) fees | See the City's average minor permit costs | The minor permits page does not print figures inline; it links to average total permit cost for common residential minor permits. No amount is asserted here. |
Re-roof Permit
VerifiedRe-roofing is a minor permit and one of the few Sacramento offers on commercial as well as residential property.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- The City's scope line reads 'Residential and commercial re-roofs'.
- A homeowner may pull a 'Residential re-roof' online for single-family or duplex.
- Obtained through the Public Permit Portal.
Required documents
- RequiredApplication via the Public Permit PortalSacramento's online portal. Contractors must register with it before pulling minor permits online.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Re-roof Permit fees | See the City's average minor permit costs | The minor permits page does not print figures inline; it links to average total permit cost for common residential minor permits. No amount is asserted here. |
Residential Solar Permit
VerifiedSacramento runs residential solar through its own permit path with a SolarAPP route, and the application requires utility paperwork alongside the plans.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- The submittal is enumerated: 'Upload the CDD Building Application for Solar Energy Systems, SMUD interconnection letter, construction plans, and equipment specifications'.
- A planning record is issued and routed: 'A Planning Record Number (e.g., PLN##-#####) will be issued, and the submittal package will be routed for plan review'.
- 'Upon approval, fees will be invoiced, and permit issued upon payment'.
- Commercial solar is handled on a separate path from residential.
Required documents
- RequiredCDD Building Application for Solar Energy SystemsThe City's solar application form.
- RequiredSMUD interconnection letterUtility interconnection paperwork, required as part of the solar submittal.
- RequiredConstruction plans and equipment specificationsUploaded with the application.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar permit fees | Invoiced on approval | The City states fees are invoiced after approval and the permit issues upon payment; no figure is published on the page. |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
VerifiedSacramento publishes a dedicated ADU handout through the Building Division. It defines the unit as a permanent dwelling providing 'permanent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.' and allows two per lot.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- Two ADUs are allowed on a single lot or parcel, attached or detached. NOT QUOTED: the handout is a two-column PDF and this sentence is not contiguous in the extracted text.
- 'The maximum size of a detached ADU is 1,200 ft2.'
- Planning comes first - planning approval, or an approval for concurrent review, must be obtained before the building permit application reaches the Building Division. NOT QUOTED: two-column PDF, the sentence spans a column break.
- An ADU's tenure is constrained - it may be rented separately from the primary residence but may not be sold or otherwise conveyed away from it. NOT QUOTED: two-column PDF, the sentence spans a column break.
Required documents
- RequiredPlanning approval, or a Memorandum of Understanding Concurrent Plan Review RequestConcurrent review must be approved by Senior Planning division staff before the building permit application is submitted.
- RequiredPlan setSubmitted electronically through electronic plan check, or on paper at the public counter.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADU permit fees | NOT PUBLISHED in the ADU handout | The handout covers size, count, code basis and submittal rather than dollar figures. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.
Checklists & handouts
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Sacramento building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.