Fremont’s planning, building and engineering permits are applied for online through Citizen Access, the City’s Development Permitting Portal, which is also used to search records and schedule building inspections. Applicants must be registered with Citizen Access to apply.
This guide covers Fremont’s online filing, fees and inspections. The Permit Center’s address, main phone number and counter hours could not be checked for this guide, so confirm them with the City before visiting.
What a Fremont application needs
Plans and documents must meet the City’s electronic document requirements; they can be checked first with Scout, the PDF document analyzer that City staff use. Planning permit applications must include an Owner Authorization Form signed by the property owner and a Reimbursement Agreement signed by the billing party.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments
Paying Fremont permit fees
Initial fees are paid online by credit card; since January 2023 a 2% convenience fee is added to each credit card payment, and Pay by PayPal is currently disabled. To pay by check or cash, make the submittal in person at the Development Services Center/Permit Center. For records that need a deposit, which includes most planning and engineering permits, the deposit is not due on initial submittal and is invoiced afterwards.
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Get a free quote →How to get a permit in Fremont
An account is needed to apply.
Make sure the PDFs meet the electronic document requirements.
Planning applications need the Owner Authorization Form and the Reimbursement Agreement.
Online by credit card, or in person at the Permit Center by check or cash; deposits are invoiced later.
Only contacts listed on the permit can book inspections online; the applicant completes an authorization form to add others.
A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the City of Fremont on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Inspections in Fremont
All permits require an inspection. Building inspections are scheduled in Citizen Access or on the Inspection Scheduling Line, 510-494-4885, 24 hours, 7 days a week; the cut off for next-day inspections is 2:00 p.m. the business day before. The inspector’s name and arrival time are emailed after 6:00 p.m. the evening before. The Building Inspection phone line is 510-494-4400.
Fire inspections, on records starting with FAP, FCP or FSP, are scheduled online in Citizen Access only; commercial and multifamily residential fire inspections cannot be booked on the phone line. A separate Fire Inspections Job Card comes with the fire permit and must stay on the project site until the permit is finalized.
Official Fremont permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
What is the cut off for a next-day inspection in Fremont?
2:00 p.m. the business day before, online or on the Inspection Scheduling Line, 510-494-4885.
Can I pay Fremont permit fees by check?
Yes, by submitting in person at the Development Services Center/Permit Center; online payment is by credit card, with a 2% convenience fee.
Can I book a Fremont fire inspection by phone?
No. Fire inspections (FAP, FCP and FSP records) are scheduled online only.
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- Confirm which City divisions and outside agencies the project needs, from building and fire to grading and utilities
- Prepare the plans and forms and file them through the City’s portal or counter
- Book the City’s inspections and track the permit through to final
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Fremont permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.