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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for King City
The city states permits are required, with limited exceptions, whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.
One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet with no utilities
Window awnings on dwelling units that do not project more than 54 inches
Window replacements where the frame, nailing flange, and existing weather protection are not altered
Finish flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Floor sheathing repair limited to 10 square feet
Replacement, repair, or overlay of less than 25% of an existing roof within a 12-month period
Decorative interior tile
Fences under 6 feet high
Retaining walls under 4 feet high with no surcharge
Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below
Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Painting, papering, and similar finish work
Certain prefabricated above-ground pools serving single-family dwellings if under 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep
Clearing stoppages and stopping leaks where piping is not replaced
Toilet and faucet repair/replacement if valves, pipes, or fixture arrangement are not replaced or rearranged
Replacement of outlets and switches in existing boxes
Replacement of circuit breakers and fuses, except main disconnect replacement
Temporary decorative lighting for dwellings
Portable appliances, heating appliances, ventilating equipment, cooling units, evaporative coolers, and replacement parts that do not alter approval/listing or create unsafe conditions
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet with no utilities
- Exempt Window awnings on dwelling units that do not project more than 54 inches
- Exempt Window replacements where the frame, nailing flange, and existing weather protection are not altered
- Exempt Finish flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Floor sheathing repair limited to 10 square feet
- Exempt Replacement, repair, or overlay of less than 25% of an existing roof within a 12-month period
- Exempt Decorative interior tile
- Exempt Fences under 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high with no surcharge
- Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below
- Exempt Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
- Exempt Certain prefabricated above-ground pools serving single-family dwellings if under 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep
- Exempt Clearing stoppages and stopping leaks where piping is not replaced
- Exempt Toilet and faucet repair/replacement if valves, pipes, or fixture arrangement are not replaced or rearranged
- Exempt Replacement of outlets and switches in existing boxes
- Exempt Replacement of circuit breakers and fuses, except main disconnect replacement
- Exempt Temporary decorative lighting for dwellings
- Exempt Portable appliances, heating appliances, ventilating equipment, cooling units, evaporative coolers, and replacement parts that do not alter approval/listing or create unsafe conditions
Note: Emergency repairs still require a permit application by the next working business day. Work exempt from a building permit may still require planning approval or other city clearances. Driveway aprons, approaches, and public sidewalk work should be checked with Public Works.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- plans/specifications when plan check is required
- engineered calculations for projects that require them
- project valuation and square footage
- contractor license information or owner-builder declaration
- workers' compensation declaration
- lending agency information if applicable
- hazardous materials/EPA notification forms if applicable.
- Building code
- King City Municipal Code Chapter 12.04 adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Code components, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards Codes, plus the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code.
- Permit validity
- Published city materials are inconsistent. The application form says a permit is void if work does not start within 180 days or if work is suspended with no inspections for more than 180 days. The municipal code also says permits expire two years after issuance unless a shorter period applies, while still requiring commencement within 180 days and progress inspections at least every 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may claim exemption from CSLB licensing if they perform the work themselves or through their own employees and the work is not intended or offered for sale, or if they contract exclusively with licensed contractors. The form cites Business and Professions Code section 7044 and notes the owner-builder bears the burden if the property is sold within one year of completion.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must provide a current California contractor license declaration on the application. The city's FAQ also says contractors must have a current City of King business license, workers' compensation coverage, and bonding; subcontractors must also have City of King business licenses and be bonded.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Small projects may be issued over the counter; some larger projects may complete plan check within about two weeks, while more complex projects may take longer.
- 01 Confirm zoning and land use constraints with the city before finalizing plans, especially for new construction, additions, or changes in use.
- 02 Prepare a building permit application with project valuation, scope, owner/applicant/contractor information, and required declarations.
- 03 Submit the application and plans to the Building & Safety Department. The city says applications may be submitted over the counter or by fax, and it also links to an online Citizenserve permit portal.
- 04 Pay plan check fees at submittal when plan review is required.
- 05 Respond to plan check comments if the city requests corrections or additional information.
- 06 Schedule a permit issuance appointment when the project is approved. The city states appointments are required for permit issuance.
- 07 Pay permit issuance fees and keep approved plans and the inspection card on site during construction.
- 08 Request inspections by phone, over the counter, by fax, or by email as work progresses, then obtain final inspection approval before occupancy where required.
Typical processing time: Small projects may be issued over the counter; some larger projects may complete plan check within about two weeks, while more complex projects may take longer.
§ 04
Fee schedule
King City building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$110.00
02
Plan check fee
Plan check fees are also valuation-based per 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; the FAQ says building and planning plan check fees are collected when plans and documents are submitted.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are valuation-based per the city's Master Fee Schedule, which references 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; some permit types are flat-fee items.
04
Reinspection fee
The published fee schedule lists Fire Re-Inspection at $131.00 after the first two inspections for applicable fire permits. The FAQ says work started without permits will incur additional fees, but no separate building reinspection or stop-work penalty line was clearly published in the master fee schedule.
05
Penalty (no permit)
The FAQ says work started without permits will incur additional fees, but no separate building reinspection or stop-work penalty line was clearly published in the master fee schedule.
The FAQ says plan check fees are collected at submittal and permit fees at issuance. The city also maintains an online payment page at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/kingcityca .
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Citizenserve Online Portal (online)
- 831-385-3281 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Requests made before 4:00 p.m. will normally be inspected the next day. Inspections are typically performed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other days/times may be available by special request and may trigger a special inspection fee.
- Time windows
- Requests made before 4:00 p.m. will normally be inspected the next day. Inspections are typically performed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other days/times may be available by special request and may trigger a special inspection fee.
Typical sequence: For a new single-family dwelling, the city's handout lists under-slab plumbing if applicable, foundation, slab, under-floor framing/plumbing/mechanical, subfloor nailing if applicable, exterior shear and roof nailing, rough inspections, insulation, interior shear if applicable, water and sewer, gas test, and final inspection.
Other inspections may be required depending on site conditions. The city publishes at least one fire reinspection fee, and special-request inspection timing may require a special inspection fee.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about King City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in King City, CA? ▸
The city states permits are required, with limited exceptions, whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.
02 How much does a building permit cost in King City, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in King City, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $110.00. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based per the city's Master Fee Schedule, which references 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; some permit types are flat-fee items.. Plan check fee: Plan check fees are also valuation-based per 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; the FAQ says building and planning plan check fees are collected when plans and documents are submitted..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in King City, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in King City, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning and land use constraints with the city before finalizing plans, especially for new construction, additions, or changes in use. 2. Prepare a building permit application with project valuation, scope, owner/applicant/contractor information, and required declarations. 3. Submit the application and plans to the Building & Safety Department. The city says applications may be submitted over the counter or by fax, and it also links to an online Citizenserve permit portal. 4. Pay plan check fees at submittal when plan review is required. 5. Respond to plan check comments if the city requests corrections or additional information. 6. Schedule a permit issuance appointment when the project is approved. The city states appointments are required for permit issuance. 7. Pay permit issuance fees and keep approved plans and the inspection card on site during construction. 8. Request inspections by phone, over the counter, by fax, or by email as work progresses, then obtain final inspection approval before occupancy where required.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in King City, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in King City, CA typically run Small projects may be issued over the counter; some larger projects may complete plan check within about two weeks, while more complex projects may take longer.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in King City, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in King City, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet with no utilities; Window awnings on dwelling units that do not project more than 54 inches; Window replacements where the frame, nailing flange, and existing weather protection are not altered; Finish flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Floor sheathing repair limited to 10 square feet; Replacement, repair, or overlay of less than 25% of an existing roof within a 12-month period; Decorative interior tile; Fences under 6 feet high; Retaining walls under 4 feet high with no surcharge; Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below; Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Painting, papering, and similar finish work; Certain prefabricated above-ground pools serving single-family dwellings if under 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep; Clearing stoppages and stopping leaks where piping is not replaced; Toilet and faucet repair/replacement if valves, pipes, or fixture arrangement are not replaced or rearranged; Replacement of outlets and switches in existing boxes; Replacement of circuit breakers and fuses, except main disconnect replacement; Temporary decorative lighting for dwellings; Portable appliances, heating appliances, ventilating equipment, cooling units, evaporative coolers, and replacement parts that do not alter approval/listing or create unsafe conditions. Note: Emergency repairs still require a permit application by the next working business day. Work exempt from a building permit may still require planning approval or other city clearances. Driveway aprons, approaches, and public sidewalk work should be checked with Public Works. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in King City, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in King City, CA via: Citizenserve Online Portal, 831-385-3281.
last verified April 2026
source Building & Safety Department, City of King ↗
entry id permits/california/monterey/king-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building & Safety Department, City of King before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.