The Building Safety Division of the Planning and Building Agency issues building, plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical permits in Santa Ana. Since July 1, 2026, all plans and applications must be submitted electronically through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal, and each applicant needs a free ACA account with a valid email address.
This guide covers the City of Santa Ana, whose website is now santa-ana.gov. Fees are from the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 schedule; check whether a newer one applies. The City’s Permit FAQs page still says applications may be made at the public counter, which conflicts with the online-only rule.
What requires a building permit in Santa Ana?
Building, plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical work is permitted by the Building Safety Division. Fences up to seven feet need no building permit, but a fence in the front yard needs a front-yard fence permit from the Planning Division.
Depending on the project, approvals from Planning, Public Works, Fire, Police and the Health Department may also be needed; the Permit Counter says which reviews apply when plans are submitted.
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
Express permits and over-the-counter plan check
Same Day Express Permit (PBx): for projects that need no plan check, for example like-for-like reroofs, water heaters and residential service meters 0-399 amps. Properties on the historic register, historically contributive properties, properties in the SD-19 and SD-40 zoning districts and those in historic districts do not qualify.
Over-the-counter (OTC) plan check: same-day review for listed projects such as one-story room additions up to 500 sq.ft., patio covers, pools and minor tenant improvements up to 1,000 sq.ft. It is offered Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and not for projects in FEMA Flood Zone A or AE or for historic properties or districts.
Solar: photovoltaic permits are issued only to a licensed contractor who also holds a current City of Santa Ana business license.
Contractors are licensed statewide by the Contractors State License Board (Classes A, B, B-2 and C) for work of $1,000 or more or any permitted work; a city may also require a business licence or tax registration. Contractor licensing in California
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Santa Ana?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building Safety Division | Building, plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical permits; 20 Civic Center Plaza, Ross Annex, M-20 | (714) 647-5800 |
| Planning Division | Planning approvals and front-yard fence permits; 20 Civic Center Plaza | (714) 647-5804 |
| Building Safety inspections | Inspection cancellations | (714) 647-5853 |
The Building Safety public counter is open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and alternating Fridays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; it is closed on weekends. The planning counter keeps the same hours.
Santa Ana permit costs and fees
From the Planning & Building Agency’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 fee schedule (Section X):
- Permit Issuance Fee: $186.83 flat for residential and non-residential permits; $70.06 for EMP and miscellaneous building permits; plus a $28.10 General Plan Update surcharge.
- Structural plan check: $282.75 per hour; structural inspection (for example a residential re-roof): $203.95 per hour.
- Water heater (residential, up to 50 gallons): $28.32.
- Solar panel inspection: $416.49 residential, $1,255.14 commercial.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Santa Ana
Create a free Accela Citizen Access account with a valid email address.
Paper plans, forms and applications are no longer accepted. City Hall offers only one-time limited scanning help, with possible long waits; bring plans on a USB flash drive if you visit.
Same Day Express Permit for no-plan-check work, OTC plan check for listed small projects, or full plan check.
Planning, Public Works, Fire, Police or the Health Department may need to sign off.
The City must have a list of valid subcontractors before any work starts.
A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the Building Safety Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Santa Ana
Inspections are requested online with the permit number, the PIN number (top right corner of the permit, under the permit number) and the Inspection Code from the job card. To cancel, call the Building Safety Division at (714) 647-5853 before 8:30 am on the inspection day. Inspections may be done on-site or by interactive video call under the City’s Remote Video Inspection guidelines.
Official Santa Ana permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Santa Ana Building Safety Division
- Accela launch: going paperless
- Same Day Express Permit (PBx)
- Over-the-counter plan check
- Building inspection scheduling
- FY 2025-2026 fee schedule (PDF)
- Santa Ana Planning Division
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Can I still submit paper plans in Santa Ana?
No. Since July 1, 2026, all plans and applications must go through the Accela Citizen Access portal; City Hall offers only one-time limited scanning help.
Does a fence need a permit in Santa Ana?
Fences up to seven feet need no building permit, but a front-yard fence needs a front-yard fence permit from the Planning Division.
Can a historic home get a Same Day Express Permit?
No. Historic register and contributive properties, properties in historic districts and those in the SD-19 and SD-40 zoning districts do not qualify.
Simplify Santa Ana permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm which office has the parcel and which other agencies must sign off before the building permit
- Prepare the application and plans in the format the local portal accepts
- Track plan review, pay fees and schedule inspections against each office’s cut-off
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 Santa Ana permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.