City of Lincoln

Lincoln says building permits are generally required whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished. The City specifically lists items such as HVAC and water heaters, all electrical work, all plumbing work, remodeling, covered patios, decks over 30 inches high, detached structures over 120 square feet, fences over 6 feet, re-roofs, retaining walls over 4 feet, room additions, siding, solar, and pools and spas.

• Exempt Above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep that do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Cabinet replacement
• Exempt Concrete walkways and patios that are not part of an accessible route
• Exempt Detached portable sheds, playhouses, or similar structures not exceeding 120 square feet, subject to zoning setbacks and height limits; the exemption does not include patio covers
• Exempt Floor coverings
• Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions under 5 feet high if not part of an accessible counter
• Exempt Interior painting and wallpapering; exterior painting may require planning approval
• Exempt Retaining walls that do not support surcharge or liquid and are 4 feet or less in height measured from the bottom of footing to the top of wall
• Exempt Window coverings

Note: Lincoln states these exceptions do not waive HOA requirements, zoning, grading, or other local regulations. The City also directs applicants to verify permit exemptions with the Building Division before starting work.

Building code

Lincoln's published materials are not fully consistent. The general building-permit FAQ page still says currently 2019 California Code of Regulations Title 24, but a City form revised 11/25 states requests are reviewed under the authority of the 2025 Title 24 California code of building regulations. Confirm the currently enforced code set with the Building Division before final submittal.

Permit validity

The City states permits expire after 1 year if the work is not finalized. An applicant may request a 180-day extension before expiration; if the permit expires with no extension and no final inspection, additional fees may be required to restore it.

Owner-builder

The City states property owners may do the work on their own residence, with few exceptions. The permit may be issued to the property owner, licensed contractor, or a certified agent of the property owner.

Contractor requirements

The City says contractors must have a current City of Lincoln business license, current workers' compensation coverage, and bonding; subcontractors also must have City of Lincoln business licenses and be bonded.

1. 01
   Confirm your project is in Lincoln city limits and check zoning and setback requirements with the Planning Division before preparing the permit package.
2. 02
   Complete the City of Lincoln Building Permit Application.
3. 03
   Prepare the required submittal package. Residential permits generally require 3 plan sets and applicable supporting documents; commercial permits require 3 plan sets with a cover page containing the City's required project and code data, plus a property-owner authorization letter.
4. 04
   Submit the package. Minor residential permits eligible for the City's OTC process may be emailed to OTCPermits@lincolnca.gov; commercial permits and non-eligible residential projects are submitted at the Building Counter.
5. 05
   Pay plan review and permit fees. The City states plan check fees are collected when plans are submitted for review, permit fees are collected when permits are issued, and OTC online payments are made through the Citizen Portal after processing.
6. 06
   Respond to plan-check comments if the City requests revisions or resubmittals.
7. 07
   After permit issuance, call for required inspections. At least one inspection is required for every permitted job, and most projects require multiple inspections before final approval.

Typical processing time: Small projects may be issued over the counter or processed in about 24 hours for eligible OTC submissions; projects requiring plan check are commonly stated as about 2 to 6 weeks, with some larger projects possibly completing in about 2 weeks and more complex projects taking longer.

Source: City of Lincoln Community Development Department, Building & Inspection / Permit Center ↗

The City says plan check fees are due at application when plan review is required, permit fees are due at issuance, OTC online payments are made through the Citizen Portal after City processing, and credit-card transactions incur a 3% pass-through fee. Several in-person submittal pages still refer to check payment made to the City of Lincoln.

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

• Citizen Portal (online)
• 916-434-2470 (phone)
• Permit Center web form (online)

Inspection hours

Inspections may be scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The City also states Building Division inspections are performed Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Lincoln lists a typical sequence beginning with footing and foundation, then pre-slab or under-floor, followed by framing and MEP concealment stages and later inspections before drywall taping, stucco, utility connections, and final approval. The permit FAQ also states inspections are required before placing concrete or grout, before electrical, mechanical, or plumbing is covered, before interior walls or floor framing are covered, before drywall taping, before stucco, before connecting gas lines, and for electrical, water, and sewer services.

Source: City of Lincoln Community Development Department, Building & Inspection / Permit Center ↗