Building Permit Process Flow Chart

Pre-Application Meeting- A pre-application meeting is not required, but is recommended on complex projects. Sign up on the zoning and building lists, and have as detailed a description of your project as possible. If possible bring a plot plan showing the location of your proposed project.  Ask the staff of the zoning counter to try to identify any "fatal flaws" of the proposal based on the zoning ordinance. They will also tell you if any discretionary permits, such as a coastal permit or variance, are required before you can apply for a building permit. The building counter staff can tell you what agencies will be reviewing your plans, approximately how long these reviews will take, and the approximate amount of the fees. Staff can also answer other specific questions you may have about the permit and inspection process. Some brochures you may find useful are:

When is a Building Permit Required?

When is a Plumbing Permit Required?

When is a Mechanical Permit Required?

When is an Electrical Permit Required?

How to Get a Residential Building Permit

Fees Associated With Your Residential Building Permit.

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Prepare Blueprints and Calculations- Blueprints for single family dwellings and associated structures such as garages and workshops, can be prepared by homeowners, building designers, or licensed architects. Blueprints for other structures must be prepared by a licensed architect. Click here for a brochure showing what should be included on residential plans. Construction which meets the Uniform Building Code conventional construction provisions does not require engineering calculations; construction which does not meet these requirements must be justified by engineering calculations. Some brochures you may find useful are:

Building Permit Application Requirements for Residential Structures

Commercial Requirements for Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing

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Obtain Environmental Health Clearance- If your property has a septic system, an Environmental Health clearance is required. Take your plans to the Environmental Health Department.  They will review the project to be sure that it does not conflict with septic system regulations. They may require a pumper's report or other types of tests. Check the Environmental Health web site for location, hours of operation, and other information. Return to chart.

Make Appointment- Call 831-454-3252 to make an appointment to submit your building permit application. Seven sets of plans are required. Return to chart.

Submit Plans and Pay Review Fees- Your plans will be screened at the Building counter to be sure they meet the minimum requirements for submittal. You will pay the fees associated with reviews by these agencies, and receive a receipt. A brochure you may find useful is:  Fees Associated With Your Residential Building Permit. Note that while fees paid with the submission of your application cover the coast of the initial and second reviews, additional reviews will result in additional charges.
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Routing and Review- Your plans will be routed to the appropriate agencies for review. These agencies show on the receipt you will receive. You can obtain current information about the state of your application here. This page also contains detailed information about the Building Permit Process. Return to chart.

Review Agencies- Zoning, Environmental Planning, Building Plan Check, Code Compliance, Housing, and Measure J are sections of the Planning Department, and information about their requirements can be found in other sections of this site. Other agencies are not sections of the Planning Department, and have their own web pages, including:

Environmental Health
Public Works
Central Fire Protection District

If All Approved- If all agencies approve the application, it is sent to Consolidation.

If Any Denials- You will receive a letter after all review agencies have completed their first review, and at least one agency has denied the application. This letter lists each review agency that has denied the application and the reasons for the denial. You can obtain current information about the state of your application here. This page also contains detailed information about the Building Permit Process. Further information may be found under Review Agencies.
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Consolidation- The building counter staff will create two identical sets of plans, the "job copy" and the "office copy" from the seven originally submitted. These sets include the last set of revisions and any red lines or red stamps or other comments from all agencies. Staff also checks to see that there are no obvious omissions, contradictions, or errors by reviewing agencies. Return to chart.

Notice to Applicant- If all agencies have approved your application, you will receive a letter saying that your application is approved. Included with this letter is the amount of the fees still owed and a check list indicating any materials, such as a Fire Agency fee receipt, which are required at or before the time the permit is issued. If school fees are required, you will receive a form to take to the school district. If one or more agencies have denied your application, the notice will inform you of this denial and include the reason for the denial.  You can obtain current information about the state of your application here. This page also contains detailed information about the Building Permit Process. Return to chart.

Calculate Permit Fees- The remaining permit fees are calculated. A brochure you may find useful is: Fees Associated With Your Residential Building Permit.
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Make Corrections to Plans- If all agencies do not approve the application, you will receive notification by mail of the deficiencies. Revise your plans as indicated and resubmit them. Please submit them to the building counter and not to the agency directly, to be sure the are routed and tracked correctly. This process continues until all agencies have approved the application. Return to chart.

Pay Fees and Pick Up Permit- Come to the Department and pay the fees and obtain your permit. Do not forget any of the items which the notice indicates are required, such as a school fee or fire agency fee receipt. Return to chart.