Sacramento building department

The City of Sacramento Community Development Department (CDD) Building Division handles plan review, permits and inspections for property inside Sacramento city limits. Unincorporated Sacramento County and cities such as Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and West Sacramento have their own building departments. The City’s FAQ suggests checking jurisdiction with the County Assessor Parcel Viewer before applying.

What needs a permit

The City’s list of work that needs a permit includes:

• decks and patio covers
• fences and retaining walls
• sheds
• window replacements and skylights
• re-roofing and siding
• water heaters and ceiling fans
• shower/tub enclosure replacements
• landscape irrigation
• pools and spas

Starting work before the permit is issued can result in a penalty fee.

Work exempt from a permit

These exemptions do not apply in a design review or preservation district, or on a historic landmark.

Project	Exempt if
Detached accessory structure (shed)	One story, floor area of 120 sq ft or less
Fence	Not over 7 feet high. All fencing still needs Planning Division approval under City Code Chapter 17.620
Retaining wall	Not over 4 feet from bottom of footing to top of wall, with no surcharge
Deck	200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by CRC R311.2
Prefabricated pool	Less than 18 inches deep
Window awning	Projects no more than 54 inches from the wall, with no added support
Painting, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops	Exempt, but related electrical relocation may still need a permit

Sidewalks and driveways are exempt from building permits but may need approval from other City departments.

How to apply

All plan review submittals and resubmittals go through the Public Permit Portal (Accela) under the Electronic Plan Check program. Paper plans are not accepted. A basic user account is required to pull minor permits or submit for plan review.

When planning review is needed, a project has two steps. First comes a Planning Entitlement Review. After approval, you create a second planning (PLN) record for Building Permit Submittal Clearance.

Minor permits (no plans)

Minor permits are reviewed in the field. Anyone can apply by emailing these forms to [email protected]:

• the Universal Building Permit Application (CDD-0200)
• an Owner-Builder Verification Form (CDD-0220)
• a Planning Exemption Form Express (CDD-0035)
• for like-for-like kitchen or bath remodels, questionnaire CDD-0162

California-licensed contractors can pull these minor permits online:

• water heaters
• one- and two-family HVAC
• re-roofs
• panels, rewires and new circuits
• sewer and re-pipe work
• fixture replacement

Homeowners of single-family homes or duplexes can pull re-roof, HVAC change-out and water heater change-out permits online.

The City publishes average total costs for common residential minor permits:

Permit	Average total cost
Electrical panel change-out, circuit, re-wire, re-pipe, water heater, sewer or water service, gas line	$95
HVAC change-out or new unit	$225
Re-roof	$225
Pre-engineered patio cover	$315
Bathroom remodel	$325
Kitchen remodel	$365

Small Project Rapid Review (SPRR)

SPRR replaced the electronic over-the-counter process. It reviews small projects within 1–3 business days for an expedited plan review fee. Eligible residential projects include:

• remodels with minor structural changes
• pools and spas
• attached patio covers and trellises
• pre-manufactured sunrooms under 500 sq ft
• tile roof conversions with calculations

New detached structures and additions are not eligible. Commercial SPRR is limited to B and M occupancies, mainly basic interior alterations of 3,000 sq ft or less. Submit forms CDD-0200 and CDD-0114, plans, and supporting documents as PDFs.

For a full estimate, email the Preliminary Building Permit Fee Estimate Worksheet (CDD-0278) to [email protected]. Some fees are set by other agencies, such as Regional San sewer fees, North Natomas development fees, and water development fees.

Who can pull a permit

• Property owners must sign an owner-builder verification. They either confirm they’re exempt from workers’ compensation requirements or provide a certificate of insurance.
• Licensed contractors must provide a workers’ compensation certificate.
• Authorized agents must complete the agent form.

Codes

Since January 1, 2026, all new plan review and permit applications must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and the City’s local amendments (Ordinance 2025-0031). Active residential master plans approved under the 2022 California Residential Code can keep those standards under Health & Safety Code 18938.5(d). The A99 flood zone rules in effect since July 1, 2024 apply to new buildings and substantial improvements. For questions, email [email protected].

Inspections

• How to request: online through the Public Permit Portal, or by IVR at (916) 808-7622, 24 hours a day.
• Timing: requests made before 6 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day. Requests made after 6 p.m., on weekends or on holidays are scheduled two working days out.
• Inspection-day call: the inspector phones you that day with a time window. The Inspection Status page shows your inspector’s name and cell number.
• Cancel or reschedule: online or by IVR by 7 a.m. on the inspection day. After that, contact your inspector.
• Virtual inspections: required since January 12, 2026, for residential web permits for minor HVAC, minor water heaters, solar/PV and EV chargers. They’re optional for residential re-roofs.
• After-hours inspections: billed at time and a half with a two-hour minimum, paid in advance.
• Construction hours: Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (City Code 8.68.080).
• Questions: call the inspection team at (916) 808-5795, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Public Counter

The counter is at 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd floor:

• Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., by appointment only.
• Tuesday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Appointments get priority, and walk-ins are taken as space allows.
• Cashiering: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., no appointment needed. Call (916) 808-5318.

The counter is closed Wednesday, November 4, 2026, for a department meeting. Code enforcement cases are tracked in the City’s Citizenserve database.