California Building Permits

California has one of the most active construction markets in the United States, with homeowners and contractors pulling hundreds of thousands of building permits each year. The state's building permit system is designed to ensure construction projects meet safety standards, zoning requirements, and building codes established by the California Building Standards Commission. Every city and county operates its own building department with unique fee structures, review processes, and timeline expectations.

The California Building Standards Code (Title 24) sets minimum construction standards that all jurisdictions must enforce, covering structural safety, fire protection, accessibility, energy efficiency, and plumbing and electrical systems. However, local jurisdictions can adopt more stringent requirements based on regional conditions such as seismic activity, wildfire risk, or coastal erosion concerns. This means permit requirements for the same project type can vary significantly between cities.

California law requires building permits for most construction work that affects structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, mechanical systems, or building egress. Generally, any work valued over $500 requires a permit, though specific thresholds vary by jurisdiction. Projects that typically require permits include room additions, garage conversions, kitchen and bathroom remodels involving plumbing or electrical changes, window and door replacements that alter openings, roof replacements, deck construction, and accessory dwelling units.

Some minor repairs and maintenance work are exempt from permit requirements under California law. Cosmetic updates like painting, flooring replacement, and cabinet refacing generally do not require permits. However, exemptions vary by city, and work that seems minor can trigger permit requirements if it involves structural elements, utility connections, or changes to building systems. When in doubt, contact your local building department before starting work.

California has enacted significant legislation in recent years to streamline permitting and encourage housing construction. Assembly Bill 1033 (2023) allows homeowners to sell ADUs as separate condominiums, creating new pathways for affordable homeownership. Senate Bill 1211 (2024) further expanded ADU allowances, permitting up to eight detached ADUs on multifamily properties and removing owner-occupancy requirements in most cases.

Senate Bill 9 enables lot splits and duplexes on single-family zoned parcels, effectively allowing up to four units on properties previously limited to one home. Assembly Bill 2011 and Senate Bill 6 create by-right approval pathways for affordable and mixed-income housing on commercially zoned land. These laws have shifted significant permitting authority from local discretion to ministerial (non-discretionary) approval, reducing timelines and costs for qualifying projects.

Solar permitting has also been reformed under Assembly Bill 2188, requiring cities to offer streamlined approval processes for residential solar installations. Most jurisdictions now provide online solar permit applications with same-day or next-day approval for systems meeting standard criteria.