California Building Permits
California Building Permits, Codes, and Licensing
Introduction
California’s geography, climate and environmental regulations make for a complicated permit and code landscape. While the state has statewide building standards, many cities and counties have their own additional regulations or amendments to address local needs such as earthquake resilience in San Francisco, wildfire protection in Los Angeles or sustainable building in San Diego. Plans must be submitted to the planning department for review before any construction can start. Below are some basic requirements and resources that should be considered when working on projects throughout California.
Statewide Building Code Adoption
California enforces a unified code framework known as the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), which is updated every 3 years. The CBSC combines and modifies International Code Council (ICC) codes to address California’s environmental and seismic issues. The CBSC includes:
California Building Code (CBC)
California Residential Code (CRC)
California Mechanical Code (CMC)
California Plumbing Code (CPC)
California Fuel Gas Code (CFGC)
California Energy Code (CEC)
Plans must be submitted to the local authorities for review and approval. These plans must be included with the permit application for initial review and approval.
The CBSC oversees these codes. While the statewide standards provide the foundation, cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento often adopt additional or more stringent amendments to address local issues like earthquake resilience, wildfire protection, and sustainable building. Always check with the city or county building department to see which code editions and local amendments apply to your project.
Architects
Projects in California may need, or benefit from, a licensed architect. Depending on the project, either the owner or an authorized agent must sign the permit application.
Licensing and Certification: Architects must be licensed by the California Architects Board (CAB) under the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
Sealed Drawings: Many commercial, multifamily, and specialized projects require an architect’s seal on plans. Larger buildings in earthquake or wildfire zones often require enhanced seismic or fire-resistant designs and additional structural details to meet local codes and safety standards.
Code Compliance and Design Scope: California’s focus on earthquake resilience, wildfire protection, flood protection, and energy efficiency means architects must consider these factors in the early design stages – especially in coastal areas or areas prone to extreme weather.
Know the Local Plan Review Process: Understanding the local plan review process and the CBSC can help avoid delays and ensure projects meet safety standards and environmental requirements. Early communication with local building officials and compliance with local amendments will help speed up the approval process and project compliance. Stick to the approved plans during construction to maintain life safety.
Contractors
General Contractors
California mandates licensing for nearly all contractors through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Contractors must get the correct license classification for their trade and keep their insurance and bonding up to date to remain in good standing.
Licensed Contractors: Must have a current license from the CSLB to do construction, remodeling, and repair work.
Local Registration Requirements: Some cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego may require additional local registrations or permits for contractors working in their jurisdiction. Schedule building inspections during construction to ensure compliance with plans and safety standards.
Specialty Trades
Electricians: Licensed by the California State License Board for Electrical Contractors. Electricians must meet state licensing requirements and local permitting and inspection requirements.
Plumbers: Governed by the California State License Board for Plumbing Contractors. Plumbers must keep their licenses current which may include additional endorsements for specialized services.
HVAC and Mechanical Contractors: Regulated by the CSLB. Some cities may add additional registration or inspection requirements for large mechanical systems or environmentally sensitive installations.
Electrical and Plumbing Regulations
Electrical Codes
California primarily follows the National Electrical Code (NEC), incorporated into the California Building Standards Code – Electrical (CBC-E).
Licensing and Enforcement: Electrical contractors must hold a valid license through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Local building departments review and inspect plans to ensure compliance with state and local electrical codes.
Seismic and Fire Safety: In earthquake zones, electrical systems must be designed to withstand seismic activity. Fire-resistant materials and surge protection are required in wildfire zones.
Plumbing Codes
Plumbing systems in California largely follow the California Plumbing Code (CPC), which adapts the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with state-specific amendments. Special points include:
Water Conservation: Given California’s history of droughts, many municipalities enforce strict water-conservation measures, including the use of low-flow fixtures and reclaimed water systems.
Flood and Fire Protection: Developments in flood zones must include elevated plumbing systems and specialized drainage solutions. In wildfire-prone areas, plumbing installations may require fire-resistant materials and designs to prevent fire spread.
Sustainability Initiatives: Many cities promote or mandate green plumbing practices to support environmental sustainability goals, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling.
Working closely with local code officials and MEP consultants will ensure all California specific items – seismic standards, water conservation policies, and fire safety requirements – are addressed in the design and construction phase.
Local Permitting and Review Processes
In California, local building departments and county offices handle permitting. While the CBSC sets the baseline, each city can add local requirements or documentation:
Application: Submit complete construction documents including architectural seals if required, site plans, engineering reports, and any city-specific forms. In some areas, additional documentation like seismic reports or environmental impact assessments may be required. A separate permit is required for each individual building or structure before any construction, alteration, or demolition can occur.
Plan Review: Officials will review for compliance with adopted codes, zoning ordinances, and regional amendments. This process can be quick (1-2 weeks) for small projects or 4-8 weeks or more for larger or complex projects especially those in environmentally sensitive or high-risk areas. Both licensed contractors and property owners (acting as Owner/Builders) can get building permits.
Fee: Permit fees are based on project value or building area. Impact fees for infrastructure or environmental mitigation may be required in high-growth areas such as Los Angeles.
Inspection: After a permit is approved, the owner or contractor must schedule required inspections (foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, etc.) with the local jurisdiction. All inspections must be passed before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
California State Agency Contacts
California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
Role: Oversees licensing for architects, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and other construction professionals.
Website: https://www.dca.ca.gov/
Phone: (800) 952-5210
California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)
Role: Oversees the development and implementation of the California Building Standards Code.
Website: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC
Phone: (916) 263-0916
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Role: Licenses and regulates contractors, ensures compliance with state laws.
Website: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Phone: 1-800-321-CSLB(2752)
California Architects Board (CAB)
Role: Licenses architects and enforces standards of practice.
Website: https://www.cab.ca.gov/
Phone: (916) 574–7220
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)
Role: Enforces workplace safety standards in the construction industry.
Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/
Phone: (833) 579-0927
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Role: Environmental permits, water quality, and air emissions for large projects.
Website: https://calepa.ca.gov/
Phone: (916) 323-2514
California State Fire Marshal
Role: Fire safety regulations and inspections for state owned buildings and certain private facilities.
Website: https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/
Phone: (916)-568-3800
Permit Velocity: California Building Permit Solutions
California’s local regulations are complex, especially in high-growth areas and environmentally sensitive regions. Permit Velocity offers customized permitting solutions for the Golden State to get your projects moving quickly and efficiently:
Local Knowledge: Our team has extensive knowledge of California’s various regions, from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento to smaller cities and rural counties. We stay current with local code changes, seismic standards, wildfire mitigation and floodplain management to address each project’s unique needs. Most building projects require permits to be safe and legal, and doing a project without the proper permits can result in additional fees and devaluation of property.
Partnerships: We have relationships with key stakeholders and municipalities across California. These connections help us streamline the permitting process, anticipate regulatory changes, and facilitate communication between your project team and local agencies to reduce delays. Community development programs and grants are important for affordable housing and sustainable growth in unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.
Regulatory Compliance: Whether your project involves complex seismic load calculations, wildfire safety standards, flood zone management, or energy-efficient building practices, our experts ensure your permit applications meet California-specific requirements. Our customized support helps you navigate state and local regulations to minimize rework and permit denials.
Full-Service Project Management: From permit application submittal to ready-to-issue, Permit Velocity manages the entire permitting process. Our proactive approach includes document management, responding to building department inquiries, and ensuring all regulatory requirements are met. Our comprehensive management keeps your project on time and budget.
Use Permit Velocity’s local knowledge, partnerships, and expertise to get your California construction project moving—from design phase to final permit submittal and approval—whether in an urban or rural area.