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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Gilroy
A building permit is required for construction in the City of Gilroy under the California Building Standards Code with local amendments.
Retaining walls or planter boxes not over 4 feet high that do not support surcharge or another structure
Wood or chain-link fences not over 6 feet high
Decks and platforms less than 30 inches above grade and not attached to a structure
Certain low exterior stairs
Above-grade pools up to 5,000 gallons
One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds or playhouses up to 120 square feet with no plumbing, heating, or electricity
Interior or exterior painting
Installing draperies or blinds
Installing carpet or resilient floor covering
Some removable store fixtures and partitions under 5 feet 9 inches
Uncovered concrete patios
Changing fixtures and utility outlets such as lighting and light switches
- Exempt Retaining walls or planter boxes not over 4 feet high that do not support surcharge or another structure
- Exempt Wood or chain-link fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Decks and platforms less than 30 inches above grade and not attached to a structure
- Exempt Certain low exterior stairs
- Exempt Above-grade pools up to 5,000 gallons
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds or playhouses up to 120 square feet with no plumbing, heating, or electricity
- Exempt Interior or exterior painting
- Exempt Installing draperies or blinds
- Exempt Installing carpet or resilient floor covering
- Exempt Some removable store fixtures and partitions under 5 feet 9 inches
- Exempt Uncovered concrete patios
- Exempt Changing fixtures and utility outlets such as lighting and light switches
Note: Some minor work may be done without a building permit, though other approvals may still apply. When in doubt, call the Building Division to confirm permit needs.
Required documents
- One unsecured, flattened PDF document bookmarked by discipline
- Signed professional stamps where required
- Structural calculations
- Truss calculations
- Energy compliance documents
- Geotechnical reports (if applicable)
- Waste management forms (if applicable)
- Special inspection forms (if applicable)
- CalGreen forms
- Asbestos approval documentation for demolition (if applicable)
- Building code
- 2025 California Building Codes with local amendments (Ordinance 2025-06, effective January 1, 2026)
Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Create or log into a GO Permit account.
- 02 Submit the application online through GO Permit. Gilroy accepts Building, Planning, Engineering Encroachment, and Fire permits through the portal.
- 03 Upload electronic plans in PDF format through GO Permit or provide at the public counter on a USB drive. Plans must be one bookmarked PDF.
- 04 The portal workflow runs through Location, Type, Contacts, More Info, Attachments, Signature, Review, and Submit.
- 05 All reviewing disciplines review the project for code compliance.
- 06 When all disciplines approve, the City calculates final fees and emails the project contact.
- 07 Pay fees. The approved PDF plan set is released for download and must be kept available at the job site during construction.
Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 1, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
75% of building permit fee; expedited first-round plan check at 150% of building permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
Project-specific under the City of Gilroy Comprehensive User Fee Schedule
03
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees apply per fee schedule
Credit card payments: 2.95% service fee; e-check: flat $1.50 fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- GO Permit portal (online)
- (408) 846-0235 (phone)
- inspect@cityofgilroy.org (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- The City is generally 72 hours out for appointments.
Typical sequence: All work requiring a permit must remain accessible and exposed until approved by the inspector. The permit and a City-approved plan set stamped 'JOB COPY' must be on site for each inspection.
Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Gilroy permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Gilroy, CA? ▸
A building permit is required for construction in the City of Gilroy under the California Building Standards Code with local amendments.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Gilroy, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Gilroy, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Project-specific under the City of Gilroy Comprehensive User Fee Schedule. Plan check fee: 75% of building permit fee; expedited first-round plan check at 150% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Gilroy, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Gilroy, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create or log into a GO Permit account. 2. Submit the application online through GO Permit. Gilroy accepts Building, Planning, Engineering Encroachment, and Fire permits through the portal. 3. Upload electronic plans in PDF format through GO Permit or provide at the public counter on a USB drive. Plans must be one bookmarked PDF. 4. The portal workflow runs through Location, Type, Contacts, More Info, Attachments, Signature, Review, and Submit. 5. All reviewing disciplines review the project for code compliance. 6. When all disciplines approve, the City calculates final fees and emails the project contact. 7. Pay fees. The approved PDF plan set is released for download and must be kept available at the job site during construction.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Gilroy, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Gilroy, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Retaining walls or planter boxes not over 4 feet high that do not support surcharge or another structure; Wood or chain-link fences not over 6 feet high; Decks and platforms less than 30 inches above grade and not attached to a structure; Certain low exterior stairs; Above-grade pools up to 5,000 gallons; One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds or playhouses up to 120 square feet with no plumbing, heating, or electricity; Interior or exterior painting; Installing draperies or blinds; Installing carpet or resilient floor covering; Some removable store fixtures and partitions under 5 feet 9 inches; Uncovered concrete patios; Changing fixtures and utility outlets such as lighting and light switches. Note: Some minor work may be done without a building permit, though other approvals may still apply. When in doubt, call the Building Division to confirm permit needs. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Gilroy, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Gilroy, CA via: GO Permit portal, (408) 846-0235, inspect@cityofgilroy.org. The City is generally 72 hours out for appointments..
last verified April 2026
source Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/santa-clara/gilroy
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.