Building permits in the City of Sacramento are issued by the Building Division of the Community Development Department, with everything handled online through Accela Citizen Access. Plan-review projects use the city's Electronic Plan Check (EPC) program, and most projects need zoning / land-use approval from the Planning Division first.
This Sacramento building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the Accela and EPC process, the zoning-first sequence, trade permits, and inspections — so your Sacramento project starts clean.
This guide covers the City of Sacramento. The Building Division permits work inside city limits; unincorporated Sacramento County and other cities run their own departments. Order of operations matters here — obtain zoning / land-use approval from the Planning Division before submitting building plans.
What requires a building permit in Sacramento?
Under the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) as adopted with Sacramento amendments, a permit is required before most construction, alteration, or demolition. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and ADUs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Swimming pools, signs, and retaining walls
- Rooftop solar PV (required on new construction)
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Secure zoning approval and apply through Accela first.
Who handles permitting in Sacramento?
Permitting is administered by the Building Division within Community Development. Planning reviews zoning and land-use entitlements first; the Building Division then reviews construction plans through Electronic Plan Check.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811 |
| Counter hours | Mon & Fri 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (appointment only); Tue–Thu 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. |
| Online portal | Accela Citizen Access — aca.accela.com/Sacramento (100% online) |
| Plan check | Electronic Plan Check (EPC) required for plan-review projects |
| Records | Development Tracker — sacramento.civicinsight.com |
| Enforced code | California Building Standards Code (Title 24) with Sacramento amendments |
Everything is online through Accela Citizen Access. Create an account, get zoning / land-use approval from Planning first, then submit building plans through Electronic Plan Check. Associating your California contractor license unlocks the Online Minor Permitting Program for simple permits.
Sacramento building permit cost
Sacramento building permit fees are calculated automatically in Accela from the project address, scope, and valuation. Plan-review fees are assessed during Electronic Plan Check, with the balance due when the project is ready to issue.
Because fees are valuation-based and adjusted periodically, confirm current amounts in Accela before budgeting. Pay fees when notified by Building Division staff that they are due.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Auto-calculated in Accela from scope and valuation |
| Plan review fee | Assessed during Electronic Plan Check (EPC) |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade unless rolled into a building permit |
| Minor permits | Online Minor Permitting Program for associated CA-licensed contractors |
| Re-inspection fee | Charged for failed inspections during the project |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Sacramento project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Sacramento trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a CSLB-licensed contractor, each filed in Accela; simple jobs may qualify for the Online Minor Permitting Program.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations, performed by a CSLB-licensed (C-10) electrician.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping, performed by a CSLB-licensed (C-36) plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration, performed by a CSLB-licensed (C-20) mechanical contractor. Specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools, signs, and solar are permitted separately. Remember the Sacramento sequence: zoning / land-use approval from the Planning Division comes before building plan submittal, and Title 24 requires solar PV on new construction.
Verify your contractor's license. California requires a Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license for any project where labor and materials total $500 or more — covering general (A/B) and specialty trades (C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC). Verify a license at (800) 321-2752 before signing. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Sacramento
Get zoning approval first
Confirm the parcel is inside Sacramento city limits and obtain zoning / land-use approval from the Planning Division through Accela before submitting building plans.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, signed plans, and Title 24 energy documentation formatted for Electronic Plan Check.
Apply in Accela
Create or log into your Accela Citizen Access account and submit the building permit application online.
Electronic Plan Check & corrections
Plan-review projects go through EPC; staff post comments to your record. Resolve them and resubmit through the portal.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay fees in Accela when staff notify you they are due, then download and post the permit on site with approved documents available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections in Accela. Clear all required inspections to obtain your final approval or Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Sacramento
Schedule inspections online through Accela Citizen Access using your permit record. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. Track activity in the city's Development Tracker.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Sacramento permitting resources
- 🏛️ Sacramento Building Division
- 💻 Accela Citizen Access portal
- 📋 Permit services
- 💵 Building fees
- 🪪 Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- 🗺️ Development Tracker
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of Sacramento Community Development Department before filing. This is not legal advice.