Campbell, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division

Street address

70 N. First St., Campbell, CA 95008

Phone

(408) 866-2130

building@campbellca.gov

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Campbell.

Online portal

MyGovernmentOnline (MGO)

MyGovernmentOnline

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Campbell

A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Campbell.

Scope of work

Permit?

Accessory structures under 120 sq ft without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (still subject to zoning standards)

Exempt

Fences under 7 ft in height (fences 7 ft or taller require a permit; all electric gates require a permit)

Exempt

Walls under 3 ft in height

Exempt

Exempt Accessory structures under 120 sq ft without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (still subject to zoning standards)
Exempt Fences under 7 ft in height (fences 7 ft or taller require a permit; all electric gates require a permit)
Exempt Walls under 3 ft in height

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Site plan
Construction plans
Project scope information
Applicant/owner acknowledgements
Itemized response letter for any resubmittals

Building code: 2022 California Building Code series and CalGreen
Permit validity: Application expires if permit is not obtained within 180 days of submittal. Issued permit expires if no inspection is passed within 180 days.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders must sign and submit required disclosure forms.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold a valid CSLB license, bond, and a current City of Campbell business license throughout construction.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 4-6 weeks for first plan check; 2-4 weeks for resubmittals. Some minor permits may be over-the-counter or 1-2 weeks.

01

Identify the correct permit group and download the city's checklist or application guide.
02

Prepare digital submittal files to the city's formatting requirements.
03

Create an MGO account and upload all required application materials.
04

City staff reviews completeness and routes plan review to Building, Planning, Land Development Engineering, and Santa Clara County Fire.
05

Pay invoiced plan-check and application fees. Applications are not considered submitted until materials are confirmed and fees are paid.
06

Respond to correction comments and upload revised documents if required.
07

Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.

Typical processing time: 4-6 weeks for first plan check; 2-4 weeks for resubmittals. Some minor permits may be over-the-counter or 1-2 weeks.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective July 1, 2025

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$232

Plan check fee

33% of building permit fee

Permit fee formula

2.00% of valuation up to first $500,000; 1.66% for the next $500,000; 1.00% above $1,000,000

Trade permit fee

$232 base fee per trade

Reinspection fee

$232 per hour; must be paid before further inspections

Penalty (no permit)

2x permit fee for building without a permit or stop work order

3.36% surcharge for credit card; 1% for ACH. No surcharge for cash or check paid at Finance.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

MGO portal (online)
(866) 957-3764 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Requests submitted before midnight are guaranteed for the next business day.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Time windows: AM window: 8:00 AM-12:30 PM; PM window: 12:30 PM-5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: footing/foundation, underfloor MEP, slab, shear/roof nailing, rough trades, frame, insulation, lath/sheetrock, finals (trades/Planning/Public Works/Fire/energy), final building inspection.

Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the city's discretion.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Campbell permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Campbell, CA? ▸

A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Campbell.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Campbell, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Campbell, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $232. Fees are calculated as: 2.00% of valuation up to first $500,000; 1.66% for the next $500,000; 1.00% above $1,000,000. Plan check fee: 33% of building permit fee.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Campbell, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Campbell, CA, follow these steps: 1. Identify the correct permit group and download the city's checklist or application guide. 2. Prepare digital submittal files to the city's formatting requirements. 3. Create an MGO account and upload all required application materials. 4. City staff reviews completeness and routes plan review to Building, Planning, Land Development Engineering, and Santa Clara County Fire. 5. Pay invoiced plan-check and application fees. Applications are not considered submitted until materials are confirmed and fees are paid. 6. Respond to correction comments and upload revised documents if required. 7. Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Campbell, CA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Campbell, CA typically run 4-6 weeks for first plan check; 2-4 weeks for resubmittals. Some minor permits may be over-the-counter or 1-2 weeks.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Campbell, CA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Campbell, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures under 120 sq ft without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (still subject to zoning standards); Fences under 7 ft in height (fences 7 ft or taller require a permit; all electric gates require a permit); Walls under 3 ft in height. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Campbell, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Campbell, CA via: MGO portal, (866) 957-3764. Requests submitted before midnight are guaranteed for the next business day..

last verified April 2026 source Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division ↗ entry id permits/california/santa-clara/campbell

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Campbell

Other jurisdictions in Santa Clara County.