Winters, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department)

Street address

318 First Street, Winters, CA 95694

Phone

(530) 794-6708

building.division@cityofwinters.org

Coverage

Applies within City of Winters limits and not in unincorporated Yolo County.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Winters

Permits are required before starting buildings and most alterations, including new buildings, additions and remodels, patios, decks, fences over 6 feet, structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, roofs, pools and spas, re-pipes, re-roofs, and related improvements.

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work

Exempt

Movable cases, counters, and partitions 5 feet 9 inches high or less

Exempt

Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less

Exempt

One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less

Exempt

Walkways and driveways with specific non-intrusive constraints

Exempt

Temporary set and media stage structures and scenery

Exempt

Window awnings with projection of 54 inches or less and no extra support for qualifying occupancies

Exempt

Fences under 6 feet

Exempt

Exempt Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work
Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions 5 feet 9 inches high or less
Exempt Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less
Exempt One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less
Exempt Walkways and driveways with specific non-intrusive constraints
Exempt Temporary set and media stage structures and scenery
Exempt Window awnings with projection of 54 inches or less and no extra support for qualifying occupancies
Exempt Fences under 6 feet

Note: Many exempt items still require zoning, setback, or code-compliance review, and separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, encroachment, or fire permits may still be required.

Required documents

Building permit application and project submission packet
Residential plan sets: 3 sets plus 1 if fire review is required
Commercial plan sets: 4 sets plus 1 if fire review is required
Site plan
Existing and proposed floor plans
Elevations
Sections
Framing and roof plans
Structural calculations
Energy and fire suppression plans
One 11 x 17 plan set
Subcontractor list before final inspection

Building code: Effective January 1, 2026, the city adopted enforcement of the 2025 California Building Code.
Permit validity: The city states that extensions must be approved before expiration and that a one-time additional six months may be granted.
Owner-builder: A permit may be applied for by the parcel owner. If acting through another person, owner or contractor authorization and active workers' compensation proof may be required.
Contractor requirements: Unless the owner is acting as general contractor, contractors and subcontractors must have the proper California contractor license, workers' compensation insurance, and a current City of Winters business license.

Source: City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Over-the-counter permits may be issued while you wait. Plan-check projects are listed as minor 5-10 working days and major 15-30 working days.

01

Confirm the permit requirement before starting work.
02

Contact or visit Building and Code Enforcement for pre-application guidance and to confirm required handouts and outside approvals.
03

Submit the permit application. Non-plan-check items may be issued over the counter.
04

Include required plan sets and supporting documents before permit issuance.
05

Pay the plan check fee at submittal and permit fees at permit issuance.
06

Request inspections through Building and Code Enforcement and complete corrections before recall inspections.

Typical processing time: Over-the-counter permits may be issued while you wait. Plan-check projects are listed as minor 5-10 working days and major 15-30 working days.

Source: City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Winters building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$156.91 for the first $500 of valuation

Plan check fee

69.5% of the building permit fee for single-family residential and 79.5% for other construction.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based with step tiers. Additional building fee components include 3% CARF and 11% Fire Department review and inspection.

Trade permit fee

Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical fees are included in the permit fee line item under the city's valuation-based schedule.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee appears as $164 per hour with a one-hour minimum in the city fire schedule section.

Plan check fees are due at submittal and permit fees at issuance. The city accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card, with a credit card surcharge.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(530) 794-6708 (phone)

Inspection hours: Inspection requests are typically handled Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Counter contact hours are listed as 8:00 AM-12:30 PM and 1:30 PM-5:00 PM Monday through Friday, closed every other Friday.

Typical sequence: After permit issuance, the city provides a job card with the inspection order. Request inspections in sequence, the inspector signs the job card after passing inspections, and an approved subcontractor list must be submitted before final inspection.

Source: City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Winters permits

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

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

Building permit fees in Winters, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $156.91 for the first $500 of valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based with step tiers. Additional building fee components include 3% CARF and 11% Fire Department review and inspection.. Plan check fee: 69.5% of the building permit fee for single-family residential and 79.5% for other construction..

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

To apply for a building permit in Winters, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the permit requirement before starting work. 2. Contact or visit Building and Code Enforcement for pre-application guidance and to confirm required handouts and outside approvals. 3. Submit the permit application. Non-plan-check items may be issued over the counter. 4. Include required plan sets and supporting documents before permit issuance. 5. Pay the plan check fee at submittal and permit fees at permit issuance. 6. Request inspections through Building and Code Enforcement and complete corrections before recall inspections.

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

Building permit processing times in Winters, CA typically run Over-the-counter permits may be issued while you wait. Plan-check projects are listed as minor 5-10 working days and major 15-30 working days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Winters, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work; Movable cases, counters, and partitions 5 feet 9 inches high or less; Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less; One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less; Walkways and driveways with specific non-intrusive constraints; Temporary set and media stage structures and scenery; Window awnings with projection of 54 inches or less and no extra support for qualifying occupancies; Fences under 6 feet. Note: Many exempt items still require zoning, setback, or code-compliance review, and separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, encroachment, or fire permits may still be required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Winters, CA via: (530) 794-6708.

last verified April 2026 source City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department) ↗ entry id permits/california/yolo/winters

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Winters

Other jurisdictions in Yolo County.