Skip to main content
PermitBase

Building Permit in Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa publishes a fourteen-row table of minimum plan check turnaround times broken down by project class - the most detailed review timetable in this corpus - and runs inspections through an automated voice line that can end in a video call rather than a site visit.

Verified 2026-09-20 · Source

When you need this permit

  • THE TRIGGER IS QUOTED FROM THE CODE: any owner or authorised agent intending "to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system... shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit."
  • THE EXEMPTIONS ARE THE STATE'S, NOT THE CITY'S: "A Building Permit is required unless it is expressly exempted by the California Building Code. The list of exemptions can be found in Chapter 1, Section 105 Permits, of the California Building Code."
  • WHO MAY HOLD ONE: "Only properly licensed contractors or owner-builders may obtain building permits." Owner-builderContractor
  • ONE APPLICATION CAN COVER THE TRADES, BUT NOT THE BUILDINGS: "A single building permit application may be filed for all work on a project, including building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. A separate permit will be created for each separate building on a given property, unless a staff member has considered the project and determined that a single permit is appropriate."
  • ENTITLEMENTS COME FIRST: "Entitlements must be approved unless concurrent review is pre-arranged and approved by the Chief Building Official."
  • REVISIONS MUST BE CLOUDED: "All revisions (issued permit records) must have a completed Project Revision and/or Transmittal Form and all revisions must be clouded on the plan set. All resubmittals (permit records not yet approved) must have a formal response to comments."
  • A BUSINESS LICENCE IS A CONDITION OF ISSUANCE: "Contractors working in the city limits are required to have an active City of Santa Rosa Business License."

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Fee schedule

Plan check and permit fees
"All plan check and permit fees (except mobile home set-up and alterations) are based on the value of the project." The city defines the base: "The project total is the value of all the construction… Show full citation"All plan check and permit fees (except mobile home set-up and alterations) are based on the value of the project." The city defines the base: "The project total is the value of all the construction that the permit is issued for. This includes all finish work, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, any other permanent work or permanent equipment, normal site preparation and paving. It does not include the cost of the land."
Based on the value of the project.
When fees fall due
At application: "an application processing fee and a plan review fee", plus a planning fee if further approvals are needed. Show full citationAt application: "an application processing fee and a plan review fee", plus a planning fee if further approvals are needed. At issuance: "a Building Permit fee and Development fees", with park fees on residential projects and a possible Public Art in-lieu fee on commercial ones. And before permits are obtained, "you must pay any required sewer and water hookup fees and encroachment permit fees" and "school impact fees to the affected school district."
In two stages, plus a third before issuance.
Fee schedule revision dates"The City has an adopted fee schedule which is subject to revisions on January 1 and July 1 of each year." A quote taken from the schedule is therefore good until the next 1 January or 1 July, whichever comes first.
Twice a year, on fixed dates.
Losing the plan check fee"You must pick up your permit within one year from the date you applied for it. You may submit a written request for a one time extension of up to 180 days. If this period ends without your picking up your permit, you will lose your plan check fee and need to reapply."
Forfeited if the permit is never collected.

Review timeline

Plan reviewSanta Rosa’s published plan-review target
1–84 business days

How long did your Building Permit permit actually take in Santa Rosa?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Requested through an automated voice line, and the confirmation number is the receipt

    "Automated Building Inspection Requests - Voice: 707-543-3006 & respond to the prompts accordingly." The city is explicit about what proves the booking happened: "Be sure to listen for and write down your confirmation number before disconnecting from the system. The confirmation number ensures your inspection is scheduled."

  2. 2

    You cannot pick a time, and you learn the window on the morning

    "The Building Division requires advance notice for all inspections. Specific times of the day cannot be scheduled." Instead: "Inspection windows are provided to the requester on the morning of the inspection date. The requester can expect a call between 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. with a two-hour window of arrival."

  3. 3

    Your inspection may turn out to be a video call

    "A Building Virtual Inspection (BVI) is a remote inspection conducted with the assistance of a contractor or homeowner (onsite contact) using technology like video conferencing." The decision is not made in advance by the applicant: "The onsite contact will be called the morning of the scheduled inspection and informed if it will be conducted in-person or virtually, and the 2-hour window of the inspection."

  4. 4

    Finals are gated on the invoices

    "Final Inspections cannot be scheduled until all invoiced fee's have been paid." The types of inspection required, and the methods for requesting them, "are provided within your copy of the Building Permit."

See the full Santa Rosa inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • WRITE DOWN THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER from the automated inspection line - it is what proves the booking exists.
  • BRING PLANS ON A THUMB DRIVE even to an in-person appointment; all submittals must be electronic.
  • CHECK YOUR ROOFER HOLDS A C-46 as well as a C-39 before they touch your solar panels.

Frequently asked questions

Santa Rosa requires a building permit for: THE TRIGGER IS QUOTED FROM THE CODE: any owner or authorised agent intending "to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system... shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit."; THE EXEMPTIONS ARE THE STATE'S, NOT THE CITY'S: "A Building Permit is required unless it is expressly exempted by the California Building Code. The list of exemptions can be found in Chapter 1, Section 105 Permits, of the California Building Code."; WHO MAY HOLD ONE: "Only properly licensed contractors or owner-builders may obtain building permits."; ONE APPLICATION CAN COVER THE TRADES, BUT NOT THE BUILDINGS: "A single building permit application may be filed for all work on a project, including building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. A separate permit will be created for each separate building on a given property, unless a staff member has considered the project and determined that a single permit is appropriate."; ENTITLEMENTS COME FIRST: "Entitlements must be approved unless concurrent review is pre-arranged and approved by the Chief Building Official."; REVISIONS MUST BE CLOUDED: "All revisions (issued permit records) must have a completed Project Revision and/or Transmittal Form and all revisions must be clouded on the plan set. All resubmittals (permit records not yet approved) must have a formal response to comments."; A BUSINESS LICENCE IS A CONDITION OF ISSUANCE: "Contractors working in the city limits are required to have an active City of Santa Rosa Business License.". If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Santa Rosa Planning and Economic Development Department, Building Division at 707-543-3200 (Building Division and appointment request line); 707-543-3006 (automated inspection requests) before starting work.

The value of the project - and the city defines it: all finish work, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, "any other permanent work or permanent equipment, normal site preparation and paving", but "It does not include the cost of the land." The schedule is revised on 1 January and 1 July each year.

One year from the date you applied, with one written request for an extension of up to 180 days available. Miss it and "you will lose your plan check fee and need to reapply." Once issued, you have 365 calendar days to start work and call for an inspection.

Depending on your project, Santa Rosa may also ask for: ; ; ; ; ; . See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

No. "Specific times of the day cannot be scheduled." You request through the automated line on 707-543-3006, and on the morning of the inspection you get a call between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. giving a two-hour window of arrival.

Apply through City of Santa Rosa Planning and Economic Development Department, Building Division at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Phone: 707-543-3200 (Building Division and appointment request line); 707-543-3006 (automated inspection requests), email: Building@srcity.org (questions only); Planning@srcity.org (entitlement questions). Office hours: THREE DIFFERENT SETS, AND THE CITY DISTINGUISHES THEM. "Phone Hours: Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m." "Counter Hours: Mon. through Thurs., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fri., 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m." And separately, "Lobby Hours (except for observed holidays)" of Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., carrying the city's own qualifier: "(Service is limited to non-technical assistance for drop-ins without an appointment)" and "Staff is Available for Technical Assistance by Appointment Only." Being inside the building during lobby hours is not the same as reaching a plans examiner.. Official information: https://www.srcity.org/262/Building-Division.

Possibly not. Santa Rosa runs Building Virtual Inspections by video, and "The onsite contact will be called the morning of the scheduled inspection and informed if it will be conducted in-person or virtually" - so the format is decided on the day, at the same time as the window.

Only with the right licence, and it needs a permit. From the city's January 8, 2026 policy: a reroof that includes removing and replacing photovoltaic panels needs plans showing panel layout, anchorage spacing and anchorage type "even if they are returned to the same location after removal", and "without a solar contractor license (C-46), a roofing contractor is not properly licensed to remove and replace solar panels."

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-20.

Fee schedules

Codes & ordinances

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 Santa Rosa building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Santa Rosa's permit history isn't searchable here yet

This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Santa Rosa yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Santa Rosa lands. Privacy.

Building Permit in other cities

Anaheim, CaliforniaAntioch, CaliforniaBakersfield, CaliforniaBerkeley, CaliforniaCarlsbad, CaliforniaChula Vista, CaliforniaClovis, CaliforniaConcord, California

Compare building permit fees across California →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Santa Rosa project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Santa Rosa — in one checklist. Free, for any city and any number of projects.

Get started →