Santa Rosa, California Building Permit Guide

The Building Division of the City of Santa Rosa Planning and Economic Development Department reviews building permit applications and inspects construction. It is at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, phone 707-543-3200. The Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate puts the city’s population at 179,437.

This guide covers the City of Santa Rosa. Fees for new buildings depend on occupancy and square footage, and those tables are not reproduced here; ask the Building Division for an estimate.

What requires a building permit in Santa Rosa?

Planning first: entitlements such as Design Review or a Conditional Use Permit must be approved before you apply for the building permit, unless concurrent review is pre-arranged and approved by the Chief Building Official.

Reroofs with solar panels: since Jan. 8, 2026, a building permit is required to remove and replace solar panels for a reroof, with a plan showing the panel layout, anchorage spacing and anchorage type. The City says a roofing contractor (C-39) without a solar contractor license (C-46) is not properly licensed for that work.

Grading: a grading permit is required before grading or site clearing, except listed cases such as grading of less than 50 cubic yards in an isolated, self-contained area (Santa Rosa City Code 18-16.J103.2).

Right of way: work in the public right of way needs an encroachment permit from Engineering Development Services, (707) 543-4611, with proof of $1,000,000 public liability and property damage insurance and workers compensation insurance.

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 Santa Rosa?

Lobby hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for non-technical help only. Technical help is by appointment, booked through QLESS or 707-543-3200; in-person appointments last 30 minutes.

How to get a building permit in Santa Rosa

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 Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Santa Rosa plan check turnaround times

Published minimum turnaround times for the first review, once an application is complete:

• Residential addition or alteration: 6-8 weeks.
• Accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU: 60 days.
• Photovoltaic plans: 3 days without energy storage, 14 days with storage.
• Pools: 21 days.
• Commercial tenant improvements and minor alterations: 6 weeks.

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

Santa Rosa permit costs and fees

The Planning & Economic Development fee schedule (July 1, 2026, Version V2 08/17/2026) sets building plan check and permit fees by occupancy and square footage. The plan check fee covers the initial check and two submittals; the permit fee covers initial inspections and one re-inspection.

• Technology surcharge: 5.69% of building, planning and engineering fees, capped at $2,500 per permit.
• Advance planning surcharge: 12.26% of non-trade building, plan review and planning fees, capped at $5,000 per permit.
• Reinspection: $100.18 for the first half hour and each additional half hour.
• Temporary Certificate of Occupancy: $602.04.
• Permits requested after work has started, or after City enforcement action, are charged double fees.

Inspections in Santa Rosa

Request inspections by text (text ‘MENU’ to 833-692-5526) or by voice at 707-543-3006, and write down the confirmation number. Specific times cannot be booked: the inspector calls between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the day with a two-hour arrival window and says whether the inspection is in person or virtual. Final inspections cannot be scheduled until all invoiced fees are paid.

Official Santa Rosa permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Santa Rosa Building Division
• Building permits
• Online permitting and Digital Plan Room
• Fees, permits and inspections
• Plan check turnaround times (PDF)
• Planning & Economic Development fee schedule (PDF)
• Encroachment permits
• Grading permits

Frequently asked questions

Can a roofer remove solar panels for a reroof in Santa Rosa?

Since Jan. 8, 2026, the work needs a building permit with a panel layout plan, and the City says a roofing contractor without a C-46 solar license is not properly licensed to remove and replace the panels.

Can I book a set time for a Santa Rosa inspection?

No. The inspector calls between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on the day with a two-hour arrival window.

How long do I have to pick up a Santa Rosa permit?

One year from the date you applied, with one written extension of up to 180 days.

Simplify Santa Rosa permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check the City’s submittal rules, fee schedule and outside clearances for your project before filing
• Assemble and upload the application, plans and supporting documents
• Follow the permit through review, issuance and every inspection 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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Santa Rosa permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.