California Building Permits
Complete guide to building permit requirements across California's major cities. Find costs, timelines, and step-by-step processes for your construction project.
Select Your City
Los Angeles
LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Largest permit volume in California
San Francisco
SF Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
Historic preservation requirements
San Diego
Development Services Department (DSD)
Coastal permit considerations
San Jose
Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
Silicon Valley development standards
Permit Types
ADU Permits
Accessory Dwelling Units - California leads the nation with 32% of all US ADU permits
Building Permits
General construction, additions, and major renovations
Solar Permits
Solar panel installation - mandatory for new construction
Renovation Permits
Kitchen, bathroom, and interior remodel permits
California Permit Requirements
California building permits are administered at the local level, with each city having its own building department, fee structures, and timelines. While state laws like AB 1033 and SB 1211 have streamlined ADU requirements statewide, costs and processes vary significantly between jurisdictions.
- Permit costs typically range from 1-6% of construction value
- Timeline varies from 2-6 months depending on project complexity
- Unpermitted work can result in fines up to $500/day and complicate property sales
- Owner-builder permits are available but require meeting specific criteria