City of Anaheim

Anaheim's Building Division says a permit is required before a structure is built, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished. The city's permit handout lists examples including new buildings, tenant improvements, additions and remodels, signs, service panel upgrades, electrical work, mechanical work, plumbing work, demolition, patio covers and enclosures, pools and spas, retaining walls supporting surcharge, block walls over 7 feet, accessory structures, reroofs, repipes, water heater and water softener change-outs, window and door change-outs, drywall replacement, repairs, and stucco or siding work.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings such as tool or storage sheds or playhouses, if not over 120 square feet
• Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
• Exempt Canopies or awnings attached to a single-family dwelling or garage extending not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
• Exempt Retaining walls not more than 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting surcharge
• Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies if entirely above grade, without filtering or heating equipment, and not exceeding 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Exempt Storage cabinets in garages associated with single-family occupancies when not part of a required fire-rated separation
• Exempt Closet organizers
• Exempt Flagpoles not erected on a building and not more than 15 feet high
• Exempt Moveable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Replacement of panes of glass within existing frames or supports unless tempered glass is required

Note: Anaheim's exemption handout says exempt work must still comply with zoning regulations and applicants should confirm with Planning. The same handout contains an internal inconsistency on fences, listing wood fences not over 6 feet and masonry fences not over 36 inches as exempt in one item, but later stating fences up to 7 feet from grade do not need a building permit if Planning approves a site plan. Anaheim's separate fence and wall zoning page says fences and walls 7 feet or less do not need a building permit but do require Planning Division approval, so fence work should be confirmed with Planning before proceeding.

Building code

Anaheim's current code page states the 2025 California Building Codes and City of Anaheim amendments apply to projects submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Projects submitted before January 1, 2026 follow the 2022 code cycle. Local amendments are in Title 15 of the Anaheim Municipal Code.

Permit validity

Anaheim Municipal Code Section 15.03.030, amending CBC Section 105.5, states that every permit becomes invalid unless work is commenced within 12 months after issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. The Building Official may grant written extensions of up to 180 days each for justifiable cause. Anaheim also publishes a permit extension request form.

Owner-builder

Anaheim requires an Owner-Builder Acknowledgment and Information Verification Form before issuing an owner-builder permit. The form says the property owner is the legally and financially responsible party, an agent cannot execute the notice without prior approval, and the city will not issue the permit until the owner has read, initialed, signed, and returned the form. If an agent appears for the owner, Anaheim requires a separate authorization form and proof of identity or ownership documents.

Contractor requirements

Anaheim's building permit application requires the contractor's city license number, state license or registration number, and workers' compensation information. Anaheim's owner-builder acknowledgment states contractors must be licensed and bonded in California and list license numbers on permits and contracts. Anaheim's business license materials also state that contractors, subcontractors, permit runners, architects, engineers, designers, handymen, and other service providers working in Anaheim must have an active City of Anaheim business license. General contractors and owner-builders must submit a subcontractors or professional services list at least 10 business days before final inspection, and qualifying large projects must submit it before permit issuance as well.

1. 01
   Confirm whether the work needs a permit and whether Planning or zoning review is also required. Anaheim states most improvements require permits before construction starts, while cosmetic work is generally exempt.
2. 02
   Prepare the application package. Anaheim requires a completed permit or plan check application and construction documents containing the information required by California Building Code Section 107.
3. 03
   Submit the project through the correct intake path. Anaheim accepts online building plan submittals through GoPost, and also offers limited online permit types through Anaheim Next / Accela for certain residential solar, EV charger, and electrical panel permits. Counter submittals are still available during Building Division counter hours.
4. 04
   Pay required fees. Anaheim's Building Division states payment is required before an online GoPost plan submittal will be accepted and routed for review; the applicant receives an email with the amount due and pays by contacting the Building Division.
5. 05
   Respond to correction notices and resubmit if needed. Anaheim distinguishes between resubmittals before permit issuance and revisions after permit issuance.
6. 06
   Obtain permit issuance, keep the permit information available on site, and complete the approved work.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections as the work progresses. Anaheim accepts inspection requests through its online tracking application and by phone, and requires scheduling by the prior business day.
8. 08
   Complete final inspection. If the project changes occupancy or otherwise triggers a new certificate of occupancy, Anaheim issues it after final approval.

Typical processing time: Anaheim's posted Building Division review-timeframe handout classifies reviews as OTC `0-2 days`, Medium `10 days`, Major `20 days`, and Mega `25 days`; posted resubmittal or revision times are `same day`, `5 days`, `10 days`, and `13 days` respectively. Anaheim's current permit processing page also says smaller over-the-counter reviews typically take no more than 30 minutes of plan review time.

Source: City of Anaheim Planning & Building Department, Building Division ↗

Anaheim's Building Division states GoPost submittals are not routed for review until payment is made. The current building application and fee sheets also state a maximum credit card transaction of $5,000

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

• Online scheduling and project tracking through Anaheim Next / Accela at https (online)
• (714) 765-4626 (phone)
• (714) 765-5153 (phone)

Inspection hours

Anaheim's inspection page says inspections must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m. the prior business day. Anaheim's posted inspection-line handout says requests made by 11:59 p.m. are generally scheduled for the following work day, in most cases; inspectors can normally be reached between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; inspection time can only be confirmed between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. before the inspector leaves. Anaheim also offers on-site and virtual inspections for qualifying jobs

Typical sequence: Anaheim's posted inspection materials show the sequence depends on permit scope and trade. A typical building sequence for structural work includes footing inspection, framing or roof sheathing inspection, then final building inspection. The city's inspection-line guide also lists many other phase codes such as pre-slab, reinforcing, insulation, drywall, electrical finals, and mechanical finals, depending on the approved scope

Available windows/hours: Anaheim's inspection page says inspections must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m. the prior business day. Anaheim's posted inspection-line handout says requests made by 11:59 p.m. are generally scheduled for the following work day, in most cases; inspectors can normally be reached between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; inspection time can only be confirmed between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. before the inspector leaves. Anaheim also offers on-site and virtual inspections for qualifying jobs