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§ CA Yolo County
City building permits

City of West Sacramento

How to apply for a building permit in City of West Sacramento, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento

Street address
1110 West Capitol Avenue, 2nd Floor, West Sacramento, CA 95691
Phone
916-617-4645
Email
buildingpermits@cityofwestsacramento.org
Coverage
City-specific permits for projects inside the City of West Sacramento. Planning rules should also be confirmed because not all projects are allowed in every zoning district.
Online portal
Citizen Access (Accela ACA)
Accela ACA
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for West Sacramento

Permits are required for most new residential and commercial construction, additions and alterations, reroofing, moving or demolishing structures, occupancy changes, exterior work over thresholds, and plumbing, electrical, and mechanical alterations.

Single-story detached accessory buildings or structures with roof area of 120 square feet or less, subject to planning setbacks
Retaining walls no more than 4 feet high
Change of flooring, carpet, inlaid tile, or wood
Painting, papering, and similar finish work
  • Exempt Single-story detached accessory buildings or structures with roof area of 120 square feet or less, subject to planning setbacks
  • Exempt Retaining walls no more than 4 feet high
  • Exempt Change of flooring, carpet, inlaid tile, or wood
  • Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work

Note: These are example exempt categories only. Many projects still require permits depending on use, size, and location. If unsure, contact the Building Division.

Required documents
  • Completed permit application
  • Project plans and submittal package
  • Electronic submittal files by email or online, or files on USB or CD at the counter
  • Itemized valuation and checklist documents for many project types
Building code
As of January 1, 2026, the city states that 2025 California Building Code updates are effective.
Owner-builder
A homeowner, the homeowner's agent, and California-licensed contractors can obtain permits.
Contractor requirements
The city recommends using a licensed contractor and links CSLB verification guidance.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Plan check is around 10-15 business days, with temporary delays noted by staff at publication time.

  1. 01
    Determine whether the project needs a permit using the city's required and exempt project lists.
  2. 02
    Submit plans and the permit application through the ACA portal, by email to buildingpermits@cityofwestsacramento.org, or at the public counter with required documents.
  3. 03
    Use the over-the-counter workflow in ACA for eligible permit types such as selected dry rot, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, minor remodel, and re-roof permits.
  4. 04
    Complete the electronic permit application and upload the project submittal package.
  5. 05
    Wait for plan check and permit approval, then pay required fees.
  6. 06
    Schedule inspections and keep the permit and approved plans available on site.

Typical processing time: Plan check is around 10-15 business days, with temporary delays noted by staff at publication time.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

West Sacramento building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$215.90 for the residential up to 250 square foot base building permit bucket
02
Plan check fee
Often 65% of the building permit fee for many permit categories.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed formulas apply. Residential new, addition, alteration, and repair permits use base plus incremental square-foot fees, while many other permit types use valuation-based or flat-fee tables.
04
Reinspection fee
$152 reinspection or additional inspection fee

The city uses separate application and plan review fees and permit and inspection fees. Permit status and payment can be viewed and made through the Accela portal.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • ACA portal (online)
  • 916-617-4691 (phone)
  • bldginsp@cityofwestsacramento.org (email)
Scheduling deadline
Call or cancel before 8:30 AM for same-day reschedule. Next-business-day inspection requests are not guaranteed.
Inspection hours
Office hours are 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday through Friday; walk-in counter hours are 9:00 AM-11:00 AM and 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Typical sequence: Inspections are requested after permit approval. Permit and plans must be on site, and the inspection team may require revisions before final approval.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about West Sacramento permits

01 Do I need a building permit in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
Permits are required for most new residential and commercial construction, additions and alterations, reroofing, moving or demolishing structures, occupancy changes, exterior work over thresholds, and plumbing, electrical, and mechanical alterations.
02 How much does a building permit cost in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in West Sacramento, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $215.90 for the residential up to 250 square foot base building permit bucket. Fees are calculated as: Mixed formulas apply. Residential new, addition, alteration, and repair permits use base plus incremental square-foot fees, while many other permit types use valuation-based or flat-fee tables.. Plan check fee: Often 65% of the building permit fee for many permit categories..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in West Sacramento, CA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs a permit using the city's required and exempt project lists. 2. Submit plans and the permit application through the ACA portal, by email to buildingpermits@cityofwestsacramento.org, or at the public counter with required documents. 3. Use the over-the-counter workflow in ACA for eligible permit types such as selected dry rot, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, minor remodel, and re-roof permits. 4. Complete the electronic permit application and upload the project submittal package. 5. Wait for plan check and permit approval, then pay required fees. 6. Schedule inspections and keep the permit and approved plans available on site.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in West Sacramento, CA typically run Plan check is around 10-15 business days, with temporary delays noted by staff at publication time.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in West Sacramento, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Single-story detached accessory buildings or structures with roof area of 120 square feet or less, subject to planning setbacks; Retaining walls no more than 4 feet high; Change of flooring, carpet, inlaid tile, or wood; Painting, papering, and similar finish work. Note: These are example exempt categories only. Many projects still require permits depending on use, size, and location. If unsure, contact the Building Division. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in West Sacramento, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in West Sacramento, CA via: ACA portal, 916-617-4691, bldginsp@cityofwestsacramento.org. Call or cancel before 8:30 AM for same-day reschedule. Next-business-day inspection requests are not guaranteed..
last verified April 2026 source Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento ↗ entry id permits/california/yolo/west-sacramento
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Division, Community Development Department, City of West Sacramento before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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