Sacramento County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

This division issues building permits for unincorporated Sacramento County only and does not issue permits for incorporated cities within the county.

Department

Sacramento County Community Development Department, Building Permits & Inspection Division

Address

827 7th Street, Room 102, Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone

(916) 875-5296

Website

https://development.saccounty.gov/us/en/building-permits-inspection.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project site is in unincorporated Sacramento County and determine whether zoning, grading, fire district, or other related approvals are also required.
2. Create an Accela Citizen Access account and start the building permit application online.
3. Prepare and upload the required plans, forms, and supporting documents in PDF format.
4. Include County forms that apply to the project, such as AP-16 for owner-builders, AP-17 for agent authorization, and AP-36 for contractor declaration.
5. Use the County Development Navigation Assistant for residential projects to identify the required plans, forms, and supporting documents.
6. Pay plan review and permit-related fees online or follow County payment instructions when invoiced.
7. Respond to permit conditions or correction comments, resubmit revised documents if required, then obtain permit issuance after approvals and payment.
8. Keep the permit package and approved plans on site and schedule inspections online, by phone, or by text until final approval.

Typical processing time: Not publicly posted as a fixed countywide timeframe; timing varies by project scope, completeness, and required reviews.

Source: Sacramento County Community Development Department, Building Permits & Inspection Division

General Requirements

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, unless the work is specifically exempt.

Required Documents

• Appropriate County application
• Plans drawn to measurable scale if required
• Supplemental documents in PDF format
• Project-specific forms and supporting documents
• AP-16 owner-builder acknowledgment when applicable
• AP-17 authorization of agent form when applicable
• AP-36 contractor declaration when applicable

Permit validity

Plan review applications expire if no permit is issued within 180 days unless extended. Issued permits expire if work is not commenced within 365 days, if no inspection occurs within 365 days, and all building permits expire two years after issuance unless extended by the Building Official.

Building code

The 2025 California Building Standards Code applies to projects submitted for permit on or after January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

Sacramento County requires AP-16, Notice To Property Owner as Owner Builder, before issuing an owner-builder permit. If someone other than the owner signs for an owner-builder permit, the owner must also complete AP-17.

Contractor requirements

The County uses AP-36 Contractor Declaration for licensed contractor declarations. The declaration must be signed by the contractor, a corporate officer, or an authorized agent if the division has the contractor authorization letter on file.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Varies by permit type. Published examples include $290 minimum for typical residential new/addition/alteration permits under County Code section 16.90.030(A)(1), $116 minimum for some structures not requiring plan review, $174 minimum for some structures requiring minimal plan review, and $104.40 minimum for single-discipline plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits.

Plan check fee

Plan review fee is 40% of the total building permit fee for projects valued up to and including $40,000,000 under the published County schedule; additional plan review caused by incomplete submittals, deferred items, or revisions is charged at the Chapter 16.90 rate.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Standard building permits are primarily valuation-based under County Code Chapter 16.90, with separate formulas by permit category. Some permit types use flat or semi-flat schedules, such as reroofs, water heaters, HVAC replacements, window replacements, solar permits, and supplemental permits.

Reinspection fee

$174 each; after-hours and emergency callout inspections have a minimum three overtime-unit charge of $405.

Penalty (no permit)

Work commenced before permit issuance is subject to a violation fee equal to the building permit fee. The County also applies a technology cost recovery fee of 6.5% of total assessed fees, penalties, or other charges per case, capped at $850.

Payment note

The County uses the Accela portal and a third-party payment processor. Published instructions state credit card payments have a 2.29% to 2.35% surcharge depending on card type, e-check payments have a $0.95 processing fee, and full cashier services are available at Building Assistance Centers until 4:00 p.m. daily.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Residential work listed in County handout GI-21 under CRC Section R105.2(A), including one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet when the County conditions are met
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Swings and other playground equipment not exceeding 12 feet in height from adjacent grade
• Certain animal shelters for livestock and residential pets when County size, height, utility, and use limitations are met
• Certain agricultural buildings may qualify for an exempt building permit under County code if parcel zoning, acreage, size, and use criteria are met
• Other exempt work identified by CBC/CRC Section 105.2 and County amendments

Important: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates technical codes or any other applicable law or ordinance. Separate grading, zoning, environmental, flood, easement, fire, utility, or other approvals may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela Citizen Access (online)
• (916) 875-5296 (phone)
• (855) 280-5383 (text)

Scheduling deadline

Next-day inspection is available if scheduled by 5:00 p.m. the previous day.

Inspection hours

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time windows

Applicants may request AM or PM inspection windows, but specific times are not guaranteed.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection sequence varies by scope, but County inspection codes show a standard progression from footing and foundation and under-slab or underfloor work, to rough framing and rough MEP inspections, insulation or other intermediate inspections as applicable, then final structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical approvals. Keep the permit, inspection card, and approved plans on site.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The 2025 California Building Standards Code applies to projects submitted for permit on or after January 1, 2026.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Interactive Zoning Map
• Building Assistance Centers
• Contact Directory
• Building Forms and Documents
• County Code Table of Contents
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, unless the work is specifically exempt.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

The minimum permit fee is Varies by permit type. Published examples include $290 minimum for typical residential new/addition/alteration permits under County Code section 16.90.030(A)(1), $116 minimum for some structures not requiring plan review, $174 minimum for some structures requiring minimal plan review, and $104.40 minimum for single-discipline plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Standard building permits are primarily valuation-based under County Code Chapter 16.90, with separate formulas by permit category. Some permit types use flat or semi-flat schedules, such as reroofs, water heaters, HVAC replacements, window replacements, solar permits, and supplemental permits.. Plan check fee: Plan review fee is 40% of the total building permit fee for projects valued up to and including $40,000,000 under the published County schedule; additional plan review caused by incomplete submittals, deferred items, or revisions is charged at the Chapter 16.90 rate..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

1. Confirm the project site is in unincorporated Sacramento County and determine whether zoning, grading, fire district, or other related approvals are also required. 2. Create an Accela Citizen Access account and start the building permit application online. 3. Prepare and upload the required plans, forms, and supporting documents in PDF format. 4. Include County forms that apply to the project, such as AP-16 for owner-builders, AP-17 for agent authorization, and AP-36 for contractor declaration. 5. Use the County Development Navigation Assistant for residential projects to identify the required plans, forms, and supporting documents. 6. Pay plan review and permit-related fees online or follow County payment instructions when invoiced. 7. Respond to permit conditions or correction comments, resubmit revised documents if required, then obtain permit issuance after approvals and payment. 8. Keep the permit package and approved plans on site and schedule inspections online, by phone, or by text until final approval.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

Typical processing time is Not publicly posted as a fixed countywide timeframe; timing varies by project scope, completeness, and required reviews..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

The following work is generally exempt: Residential work listed in County handout GI-21 under CRC Section R105.2(A), including one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet when the County conditions are met; Fences not over 7 feet high; Swings and other playground equipment not exceeding 12 feet in height from adjacent grade; Certain animal shelters for livestock and residential pets when County size, height, utility, and use limitations are met; Certain agricultural buildings may qualify for an exempt building permit under County code if parcel zoning, acreage, size, and use criteria are met; Other exempt work identified by CBC/CRC Section 105.2 and County amendments. Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates technical codes or any other applicable law or ordinance. Separate grading, zoning, environmental, flood, easement, fire, utility, or other approvals may still apply.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sacramento County, CA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Accela Citizen Access, (916) 875-5296, (855) 280-5383. Next-day inspection is available if scheduled by 5:00 p.m. the previous day..