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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Davis
Owners or authorized agents must apply before construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, demolition, occupancy change, and regulated mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or gas work.
Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, such as tool sheds and playhouses
Fences 7 feet high or less
Retaining walls 4 feet high or less unless supporting a surcharge
Sidewalks and driveways
Small prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
Limited decks meeting the city's exempt conditions
Certain minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing replacements listed in the city's required-permits checklist
Interior finish work such as paint, paper, tile, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
- Exempt Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, such as tool sheds and playhouses
- Exempt Fences 7 feet high or less
- Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet high or less unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Small prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
- Exempt Limited decks meeting the city's exempt conditions
- Exempt Certain minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing replacements listed in the city's required-permits checklist
- Exempt Interior finish work such as paint, paper, tile, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
Note: External changes for designated historical resources may still need planning review, and even exempt categories may trigger other permit, planning, environmental, or utility reviews.
Required documents
- Residential permit application or commercial equivalent
- 2 plot plans
- 2 sets of complete construction plans plus 1 additional floor plan
- 2 sets of construction documents and calculations as applicable
- 2 Title 24 energy compliance sets
- Owner-builder verification if acting as general contractor
- Electrical load calculation for homes 2,000 square feet or larger
- Elevation certificate for flood zones outside Zone C
- CALGreen and Universal Design checklists where applicable
- Building code
- City references Title 24 and requires Title 24 and CALGreen compliance on permits.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder permits are limited to principal residences and require owner-builder authorization and ID verification. The owner assumes legal and financial responsibility and cannot claim the contractor-license exception for more than two structures in three years.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors are required by California law to be licensed and bonded, and permit and contractor license numbers must appear on permits and contracts.
Source: City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Current online processing time is listed as 5-10 business days upon submittal.
- 01 Determine the correct permit type and pull the required forms and checklists from the Building Division forms page.
- 02 Submit the permit application and required documents through the city portal, or email plans and application materials to onlinepermits@cityofdavis.org when allowed for the permit type.
- 03 Include all required drawings and documents, such as plans, plot plans, energy documents, and owner-builder materials if applicable.
- 04 Building Division staff reviews the submission and requests any additional information needed for issuance.
- 05 Pay fees after staff review. Projects under the posted threshold may be paid through the city payment center when directed.
- 06 Receive the permit number and schedule required inspections by portal, phone, text, or email.
Typical processing time: Current online processing time is listed as 5-10 business days upon submittal.
Source: City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective FY 2025-26
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$80.59 for basic single-trade work in the $0-$2,000 valuation band
02
Plan check fee
65% of the basic permit fee for initial plan review; additional plan review has a minimum one-half hour charge.
03
Permit fee formula
Basic trades are valuation-based with tiered increments by valuation band. Over $25,000, the schedule provides formulas for permit categories using a base amount plus 0.0080 times valuation over $10,000.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection minimum one-hour charge; holiday or after-hours inspections are charged at a minimum two-hour window.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Investigative fee and other penalty-related items are listed in the fee schedule for work started without a permit.
Cards are accepted for permit fees after permit processing through the city payment center. Checks are accepted by mail or drop-off.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective FY 2025-26) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Click2GovBP portal (online)
- (530) 757-5658 (phone)
- (844) 304-4064 (text)
- cddweb@cityofdavis.org (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests must be placed by 3:30 PM the business day prior.
- Inspection hours
- Inspection hours are 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-3:30 PM; office counter hours are 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Typical sequence: Request inspection when covered work is ready. Approved plans must be on site, the address must be posted, and corrections must be cleared before final approval.
Source: City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Davis permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Davis, CA? ▸
Owners or authorized agents must apply before construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, demolition, occupancy change, and regulated mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or gas work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Davis, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Davis, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $80.59 for basic single-trade work in the $0-$2,000 valuation band. Fees are calculated as: Basic trades are valuation-based with tiered increments by valuation band. Over $25,000, the schedule provides formulas for permit categories using a base amount plus 0.0080 times valuation over $10,000.. Plan check fee: 65% of the basic permit fee for initial plan review; additional plan review has a minimum one-half hour charge..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Davis, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Davis, CA, follow these steps: 1. Determine the correct permit type and pull the required forms and checklists from the Building Division forms page. 2. Submit the permit application and required documents through the city portal, or email plans and application materials to onlinepermits@cityofdavis.org when allowed for the permit type. 3. Include all required drawings and documents, such as plans, plot plans, energy documents, and owner-builder materials if applicable. 4. Building Division staff reviews the submission and requests any additional information needed for issuance. 5. Pay fees after staff review. Projects under the posted threshold may be paid through the city payment center when directed. 6. Receive the permit number and schedule required inspections by portal, phone, text, or email.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Davis, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Davis, CA typically run Current online processing time is listed as 5-10 business days upon submittal.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Davis, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Davis, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, such as tool sheds and playhouses; Fences 7 feet high or less; Retaining walls 4 feet high or less unless supporting a surcharge; Sidewalks and driveways; Small prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep; Limited decks meeting the city's exempt conditions; Certain minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing replacements listed in the city's required-permits checklist; Interior finish work such as paint, paper, tile, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops. Note: External changes for designated historical resources may still need planning review, and even exempt categories may trigger other permit, planning, environmental, or utility reviews. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Davis, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Davis, CA via: Click2GovBP portal, (530) 757-5658, (844) 304-4064, cddweb@cityofdavis.org. Inspection requests must be placed by 3:30 PM the business day prior..
last verified April 2026
source City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability ↗
entry id permits/california/yolo/davis
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.