Yolo County, California Building Permit Guide

Yolo County Building Services, part of the Community Services Department, is at 292 West Beamer Street, Woodland, and can be reached at 530-666-8037 or building.division@yolocounty.gov. It is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, and Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Applications go through the Yolo Builds Online Permit Portal.

This guide covers Yolo County Building Services. Fees and the area the office covers are not stated in the pages checked, so confirm both with Building Services.

What requires a building permit in Yolo County?

• Grading needs a permit from the building official.
• Pools: any structure for swimming or recreational bathing that holds water over 18 inches deep needs a permit.
• Flood zones: in Flood Zones A, AE or AO, a Flood Hazard Development Permit is required under the Yolo County Flood Protection Code for any manmade change to property, including buildings, filling, grading, paving, excavation and storage of equipment or materials.
• Agricultural structures: permit-exempt agricultural structures are covered by the local amendment in YCC 7-1.04.

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

Yolo County local amendments

Homes are subject to the local amendment in YCC 7-1.05, which requires a flashing fire fighter notification device visible from the street.

How to get a building permit in Yolo County

A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with Yolo County Building Services on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Inspections in Yolo County

Inspections are scheduled in person, by phone or by email, by 2:00 pm the day before. Plans, specifications, the manufacturer’s installation instructions, the permit and the inspection card must be on site, and the work must be ready or a reinspection fee is charged. Rough electrical, rough mechanical, rough plumbing and framing are typically inspected together on a single inspection.

Official Yolo County permitting resources

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

• Yolo County Building Services
• Yolo County building permits
• Yolo County inspections

Frequently asked questions

Can I book a Yolo County inspection online?

The County says inspections are currently scheduled in person, by phone or by email, by 2:00 pm the day before.

Does a pool need a permit in Yolo County?

Yes, if it holds water over 18 inches deep: a permit is required for any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing at that depth.

What is a Flood Hazard Development Permit?

A permit required in Flood Zones A, AE or AO for any manmade change to property, including buildings, filling, grading, paving and storage of equipment or materials.

Simplify Yolo County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• 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.

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