Building permits in the City of Sacramento are issued by the Community Development Department’s Building Division. Its Public Counter, 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811, is open Mondays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. by appointment only, and Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with appointments prioritized. Paper plans are not accepted.
This guide covers the City of Sacramento’s Building Division, its minor permits, fees, plan review routes and inspections, and the fire, public works and utilities contacts that go with them.
What requires a building permit in Sacramento?
Sacramento treats work that needs no construction plans as a minor permit, with all code review done in the field: water heaters, residential HVAC, re-roofs, panels, rewires, sewer repairs and non-structural kitchen and bath remodels. Homeowners and contractors apply for minor permits by emailing the completed forms to EZ Permit. Fire protection systems that need a building permit are also reviewed and inspected by the Sacramento Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division.
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
Who handles permitting in Sacramento?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building Division Public Counter | Building permits; 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811 | (916) 808-5318 |
| Project Management section | New buildings, additions and remodels with a construction valuation over $1 million | 916-808-1927 |
| Fire Prevention Division | Fire protection systems that need a building permit | newconstruction@sfd.cityofsacramento.org; (916) 808-5558 |
| Public Works, Development Engineering | Encroachment permits and off-site development | 916-808-1158 |
| Department of Utilities | Water and sewer connections, grading and drainage | 916-808-1912 |
Sacramento permit costs and fees
The City publishes average total costs for common residential minor permits:
- Electrical panel change-out, rewire or water heater: $95.00
- HVAC change-out or re-roof: $225.00
- Non-structural kitchen remodel: $365.00
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →For a full estimate, email the Applicant’s Preliminary Building Permit Fee Estimate Worksheet to ezpermit@cityofsacramento.org. Questions on the Sacramento County regional sanitation fee go to (916) 876-6100 and on the Fire Department plan review fee to (916) 808-1634. Projects in Small Project Rapid Review pay an Expedited Plan Review Fee.
How to get a building permit in Sacramento
Work that needs no construction plans is a minor permit, applied for by email to EZ Permit.
All submittals and resubmittals go through the Public Permit Portal under the Electronic Plan Check (EPC) system.
Small Project Rapid Review (SPRR) replaced over-the-counter plan review; accepted projects are reviewed within 1-3 business days.
Homes with 1 and 2 units and ADUs can use SolarAPP+ (licensed contractors only), uploading the SolarAPP+ approval, the city solar application form and a SMUD interconnection letter.
New buildings, additions and remodels over $1 million go through the Project Management section.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with Sacramento on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in Sacramento
Inspection requests can be made 24 hours a day online or through the IVRS at (916) 808-7622. Requests made before 6:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day; later, weekend or holiday requests two working days later. To cancel by phone, call (916) 808-7622 by 7:00 a.m. on the inspection day; after that, contact the assigned inspector. The general inspection line, 916-808-5795, is staffed Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Since January 12, 2026, virtual inspections are required for residential web permits for Minor HVAC, Minor Water Heater, Solar/PV and EV Chargers. Fire inspections are also scheduled at 916-808-7622.
Under Sacramento City Code 8.68.080, construction work may only take place Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., unless the Chief Building Official allows other hours for up to three days.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Official Sacramento permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Sacramento Public Counter and appointments
- Sacramento minor permits
- Sacramento building fees
- Sacramento Small Project Rapid Review
- Sacramento inspection scheduling
- Sacramento Building Division contacts
- Sacramento Fire Prevention, new construction
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number for Sacramento’s permit counter?
(916) 808-5318, for the Public Counter at 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor.
How much is a re-roof permit in Sacramento?
The City’s published average total cost is $225.00.
Which Sacramento inspections are virtual?
Since January 12, 2026: residential web permits for Minor HVAC, Minor Water Heater, Solar/PV and EV Chargers.
Simplify Sacramento permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm the city’s planning, building, fire and public works reviews the project needs
- Prepare the application and plans for the city’s portal or counter and track each review cycle
- Schedule inspections and gather the clearances needed to close the permit
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.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Sacramento permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.