On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Rancho Cordova
The City requires permits for many construction, alteration, repair, and MEP projects, including ADUs, HVAC replacement, hard-wired appliance replacement, carports, detached garages, panel work, garage conversions, kitchen and bath remodels, new gas lines, fixed outdoor kitchens or fireplaces, reroofs, sewer-line work, shower replacement, solar panels, electrical for portable spas, and water heaters.
Painting, interior or exterior
Floor coverings such as linoleum, tile, wood flooring, and carpet
Toilet or sink replacement where plumbing connections stay in the same location
Plug-in appliance replacement with no new wiring
Decks under 200 square feet that are less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the home, and not serving an exit door
Fences under 7 feet high
Landscaping and drainage work
Patio covers, shade structures, trellises, and sheds that do not exceed 120 square feet
Roof repairs less than 10 percent of the roof area, or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less
Small stucco patching for holes and cracks
Portable spa replacement with no new wiring
Above-ground swimming pools if less than 24 inches deep, under 5,000 gallons, and entirely above ground
Inflatable swimming pools with no electrical needed
- Exempt Painting, interior or exterior
- Exempt Floor coverings such as linoleum, tile, wood flooring, and carpet
- Exempt Toilet or sink replacement where plumbing connections stay in the same location
- Exempt Plug-in appliance replacement with no new wiring
- Exempt Decks under 200 square feet that are less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the home, and not serving an exit door
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet high
- Exempt Landscaping and drainage work
- Exempt Patio covers, shade structures, trellises, and sheds that do not exceed 120 square feet
- Exempt Roof repairs less than 10 percent of the roof area, or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less
- Exempt Small stucco patching for holes and cracks
- Exempt Portable spa replacement with no new wiring
- Exempt Above-ground swimming pools if less than 24 inches deep, under 5,000 gallons, and entirely above ground
- Exempt Inflatable swimming pools with no electrical needed
Note: The City handout is expressly a partial list. Permit status depends on exact scope, dimensions, attachment, utilities, and location. Applicants are directed to contact Building and Safety for project-specific confirmation.
Required documents
- Plans
- Building permit application
- Notice to property owners
- Owner or contractor authorization letters
- Structural calculations
- Truss calculations
- Energy documentation
- Soils report for new buildings or additions where applicable
- Hazardous materials survey where applicable
- Special-inspection forms where applicable
- Access-compliance forms for existing nonresidential buildings where applicable
- Outside-agency approvals where applicable
- Building code
- The FAQ states Rancho Cordova is currently using the 2025 version of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
- Permit validity
- FAQ states a permit expires one year from issuance, or 180 days from the last passed inspection. City permit forms also state an application is deemed abandoned if work has not commenced within 180 days after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued, with possible written extension of up to 90 days.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must complete and return the City owner-builder acknowledgment before permit issuance, and the property owner must verify signature with ID, notarization, or other acceptable verification.
- Contractor requirements
- Permit applicants must be licensed under the California Contractors State License Law or state the exemption basis. City materials note contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded in California and to list license numbers on permits and contracts.
Source: City of Rancho Cordova Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Average building plan review turnaround is about 10 to 15 business days for the first set of comments. Posted review timelines show first-cycle review estimates ranging from about 5 to 20 business days depending on project type.
- 01 Confirm the property is inside Rancho Cordova city limits. If it is in unincorporated Sacramento County, apply through Sacramento County instead.
- 02 Create a Rancho Cordova Online account or log in with an existing account.
- 03 Select the permit type and submit the application, plans, and supporting documents through the portal. The City does not accept emailed permit submittals.
- 04 Include the project information required for the permit type, such as detailed scope of work, construction valuation, plans, and any applicable authorization, owner, or special-inspection forms.
- 05 Respond to plan review comments and outside-agency requirements as applicable, including Fire, sewer, air quality, school district, Public Works, and Planning review depending on scope.
- 06 Pay fees, obtain the issued permit, then schedule inspections through Rancho Cordova Online.
- 07 Complete final inspection and any closeout steps needed for approval or certificate of occupancy.
Typical processing time: Average building plan review turnaround is about 10 to 15 business days for the first set of comments. Posted review timelines show first-cycle review estimates ranging from about 5 to 20 business days depending on project type.
Source: City of Rancho Cordova Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Rancho Cordova building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Valuation-based according to the City valuation policy, but the public webpages reviewed do not state a specific percentage or table.
02
Permit fee formula
The valuation policy says building permit and building plan review fees are based on permit valuation. Most permit fees are determined by new square footage multiplied by the City valuation table, construction valuation based on a licensed-contractor contract, or a combination of both. For owner-builders, the City allows an estimate based on retail material cost plus labor hours multiplied by $50 per hour.
03
Penalty (no permit)
The public webpages reviewed do not clearly publish a current reinspection or penalty fee schedule. The City notes extra review fees may apply after three plan-review cycles under the PC3 Rule, and work without proper permitting can expose applicants to code-enforcement issues.
Rancho Cordova Online states there is a 2.5% processing fee for all card transactions online or in person.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Rancho Cordova Online (online)
- 916.851.8848 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Typical sequence: The City does not publish a single universal sequence on the reviewed pages. Applicants obtain the issued permit, schedule required progress inspections through the portal, correct inspector comments, and obtain final approval. The portal also lets applicants view inspection correction notes.
Source: City of Rancho Cordova Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Rancho Cordova permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
The City requires permits for many construction, alteration, repair, and MEP projects, including ADUs, HVAC replacement, hard-wired appliance replacement, carports, detached garages, panel work, garage conversions, kitchen and bath remodels, new gas lines, fixed outdoor kitchens or fireplaces, reroofs, sewer-line work, shower replacement, solar panels, electrical for portable spas, and water heaters.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Rancho Cordova, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: The valuation policy says building permit and building plan review fees are based on permit valuation. Most permit fees are determined by new square footage multiplied by the City valuation table, construction valuation based on a licensed-contractor contract, or a combination of both. For owner-builders, the City allows an estimate based on retail material cost plus labor hours multiplied by $50 per hour.. Plan check fee: Valuation-based according to the City valuation policy, but the public webpages reviewed do not state a specific percentage or table..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Rancho Cordova, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is inside Rancho Cordova city limits. If it is in unincorporated Sacramento County, apply through Sacramento County instead. 2. Create a Rancho Cordova Online account or log in with an existing account. 3. Select the permit type and submit the application, plans, and supporting documents through the portal. The City does not accept emailed permit submittals. 4. Include the project information required for the permit type, such as detailed scope of work, construction valuation, plans, and any applicable authorization, owner, or special-inspection forms. 5. Respond to plan review comments and outside-agency requirements as applicable, including Fire, sewer, air quality, school district, Public Works, and Planning review depending on scope. 6. Pay fees, obtain the issued permit, then schedule inspections through Rancho Cordova Online. 7. Complete final inspection and any closeout steps needed for approval or certificate of occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Rancho Cordova, CA typically run Average building plan review turnaround is about 10 to 15 business days for the first set of comments. Posted review timelines show first-cycle review estimates ranging from about 5 to 20 business days depending on project type.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Rancho Cordova, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Painting, interior or exterior; Floor coverings such as linoleum, tile, wood flooring, and carpet; Toilet or sink replacement where plumbing connections stay in the same location; Plug-in appliance replacement with no new wiring; Decks under 200 square feet that are less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the home, and not serving an exit door; Fences under 7 feet high; Landscaping and drainage work; Patio covers, shade structures, trellises, and sheds that do not exceed 120 square feet; Roof repairs less than 10 percent of the roof area, or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less; Small stucco patching for holes and cracks; Portable spa replacement with no new wiring; Above-ground swimming pools if less than 24 inches deep, under 5,000 gallons, and entirely above ground; Inflatable swimming pools with no electrical needed. Note: The City handout is expressly a partial list. Permit status depends on exact scope, dimensions, attachment, utilities, and location. Applicants are directed to contact Building and Safety for project-specific confirmation. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Rancho Cordova, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Rancho Cordova, CA via: Rancho Cordova Online, 916.851.8848.
last verified March 2026
source City of Rancho Cordova Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/california/sacramento/rancho-cordova
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Rancho Cordova Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.