City of Seaside

Seaside Municipal Code Chapter 15.05 says no building or structure may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, demolished, or changed from one use to another until a development permit has been secured from the building official. The City also advises owners to check with Building & Code Enforcement before starting any building project or major repairs.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures and portable storage sheds, playhouses, and similar accessory structures for single-family dwellings when under 120 square feet gross floor area.
• Exempt Residential retaining walls not over 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Exempt Residential decks, platforms, on-site paths, and driveways not over 18 inches above natural grade, not part of an accessible route, not serving as a required landing, not exceeding lot coverage limits, and meeting setbacks.
• Exempt Residential painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops, except kitchen countertops with electrical receptacle spacing requirements.

Note: Exemptions do not authorize code violations. Exempt structures still must comply with setbacks, lot coverage, height, and clearance rules. Unpermitted accessory structures cannot include electrical, plumbing, or mechanical features that would otherwise require permits, and land/sea cargo containers do not qualify as exempt residential accessory structures.

Building code

Seaside states it has adopted the 2022 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, with local amendments, effective January 1, 2023.

Permit validity

Plan review expires if no permit is issued within 180 days after application, with limited written extensions. Issued permits expire if the project does not receive approval for one required inspection within 180 days of permit issuance; the building official may grant extensions under the City's amended code.

Owner-builder

The residential permit application includes an "Owner / Builder" designation, but the City pages reviewed do not publish a separate local owner-builder instruction sheet. Owner-applicants should expect to sign the application certification and provide full project/ownership information.

Contractor requirements

The residential application requests the contractor's license number, and Seaside links the California Contractors State License Board and a contractor business license tax certificate application. In practice, contractor-performed work should identify the CSLB license holder and meet any City business license requirements.

1. 01
   Confirm whether the job needs only a building permit or also planning review; Seaside states planning permit review happens first when required.
2. 02
   Create or sign in to the City's SmartGov portal, or download the residential/commercial application and submittal forms from the Building Applications & Forms page.
3. 03
   Submit the completed application with project description, valuation, plans, and supporting documents. The residential application says plan review submittals require four plan sets, two copies of supporting documents such as calculations/truss drawings/energy documents, and one copy for Fire/Planning/Engineering routing.
4. 04
   Wait for City plan review. Seaside's posted average turnaround is 20-30 business days for the initial review and 10-20 business days for each subsequent review.
5. 05
   Respond to correction comments if issued. The City states it will contact the applicant when the permit is ready to be issued.
6. 06
   Pay issuance fees and obtain the permit before starting work.
7. 07
   Schedule required inspections by phone at least 24 hours ahead, complete required stage inspections, and obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Average initial plan review 20-30 business days; resubmittals 10-20 business days.

Source: City of Seaside Building & Code Enforcement Department ↗

The fee schedule page says credit cards are not accepted for developer deposits or transient occupancy tax. For internet payments made in error, approved refunds are returned to the original payment card in 10-14 days, and transaction fees are non-refundable. Building permit refund policy states most building/trade permits are refunded at 80% if canceled after payment; plan reviews are non-refundable, and no refunds are given once work starts and inspections have been requested.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• SmartGov (online)
• 831-899-6723 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Monday-Friday by appointment in these windows: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. Call at least 24 hours in advance.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday by appointment in these windows: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. Call at least 24 hours in advance.

Time windows

Monday-Friday by appointment in these windows: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. Call at least 24 hours in advance.

Typical sequence: The City does not publish one universal sequence for all project types on its main inspection page. In practice, inspections are stage-based and tied to the permitted scope before work is concealed, then followed by final inspection. For larger projects this commonly means foundation/site work as applicable, rough framing and rough trade inspections, insulation or other required intermediate inspections, and final. Seaside also publishes permit-specific inspection sheets such as reroof procedures.

When requesting inspection, provide requested date/time, permit number, job site address, work to be inspected, and contact name/phone. Additional inspections or reinspections are billed per the fee schedule at $339/hour minimum.