State directory · CA · West

California building departments

This California directory covers 58 Census county equivalents and local building-department guides. California projects are shaped by the California Building Standards Code, including Title 24, plus local amendments and the city or county permit office.

How permitting works in California

Statewide code baseline with local enforcement. A county name is a geographic index, not a promise that the county government issues every building permit. Many projects are handled by a city, town, township, borough, parish, regional office, or independent city.

Source-backed state research

California Department of Housing and Community Development

Checked 2026-07-30

California publishes building standards in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. The 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026; local agencies may still have local implementation and amendment information.

Read the official state source ↗

Researched local guides

Available department pages

8 guides

Geographic coverage

Browse California counties

58 county equivalents