City Building Permits

Hayward, CA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Hayward, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

California Alameda County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Handles building permit review, issuance, and inspections within the incorporated City of Hayward. Separate reviews or permits may still be required from Planning, Fire, Engineering, utilities, Alameda County, or other outside agencies depending on project scope.

Department
City of Hayward Development Services Department, Building Division
Address
777 B Street, 1st floor lobby, Hayward, CA 94541
Phone
Building Division (510) 583-4140; Permit Center (510) 583-4005
Website
https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/departments/building-division

Online Permit Portal

Open Tyler EnerGov Self Service

Platform: Tyler EnerGov Self Service • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Application Process

  1. Confirm whether the project needs a building permit and whether Planning, Fire, or Engineering review is also required.
  2. Create an account in Hayward's e-Permits Portal.
  3. Gather the required digital submittals for the project type. Hayward uses project-specific checklists and generally requires a complete PDF plan set plus separate supporting PDFs when applicable.
  4. Submit the permit application and upload all required documents through the e-Permits Portal.
  5. City staff performs an intake and completeness screening. Hayward states applicants are notified if additional information or corrections are needed.
  6. Pay plan check fees to start formal review.
  7. Respond to correction comments and resubmit until all reviewing departments approve the plans.
  8. After approval, pay the remaining inspection and administrative fees and obtain permit issuance.
  9. Start work only after issuance, schedule inspections during construction, and obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Hayward states staff reviews applications for completeness within 5 business days. For new developments, the City states an initial building review timeline of 25 business days and 10 business days for resubmittals.

Source: City of Hayward Development Services Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Hayward states building permits are required for almost all construction-related work, including plumbing, mechanical, electrical, structural work, demolition, and emergency repairs. A building permit is required for the construction of each separate building or structure on a site.

Required Documents

  • Requirements vary by project, but Hayward generally requires an online application, complete PDF plan set, and supporting PDFs as applicable, such as structural calculations, soils reports, energy documents, project-specific checklists, and architect or engineer stamps and signatures where required.
Permit validity
For new-development permits, Hayward states the building permit plan check must be completed within 1 year from payment of plan review fees, and after plan approval the applicant has 6 months to pay remaining fees and obtain permit issuance. Once issued, the City states building permits remain valid indefinitely if construction is progressing and a legitimate scheduled inspection occurs at least once every 6 months. Hayward also provides a permit extension request form, and the form states extensions may be granted in periods not exceeding 90 days each.
Building code
Hayward states it enforces the 2022 California Building Code, 2022 California Residential Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Plumbing Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Energy Code, and 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, along with local amendments.
Owner-builder
Hayward provides an Owner-Builder Authorization form and states a building permit may be issued either to the property owner or to a California licensed contractor. Owner-builders become the responsible party of record and may take on employer and liability obligations if they hire workers.
Contractor requirements
Hayward states a building permit may be issued either to the property owner or a California licensed contractor. For California law generally, contractors performing permitted work must hold the appropriate CSLB license unless a statutory exemption applies. Hayward also states plans for buildings with 3 or more dwelling units and all commercial buildings must be prepared by a California-licensed architect or engineer.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
No single citywide minimum total building permit fee is expressly stated. In the valuation-based building permit table, the minimum published building inspection fee is $33.66 for $1-$500 valuation, and Hayward also lists a $190 permit issuance fee that applies to all permits.
Plan check fee
For valuation-based building permits, the master fee schedule states building plan check fee is 1.0 times the building inspection fee. It also lists planning review at 0.35 times the building inspection fee and fire review at 0.35 times the building inspection fee. Some flat-rate permits also add hourly plan check fees depending on scope.
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Many building permits are valuation-based, using the building inspection fee table plus plan check, planning, fire, technology, policy planning, issuance, and state fees. Other permit types use flat-rate or hourly charges.
Reinspection fee
Hayward's master fee schedule lists a standard hourly rate of $190 for inspections or other administrative services and $286 hourly for overtime plan check or inspection services. It also lists a violation fee for work done without permit at 205% of the building permit fee, in addition to regular permit fees.
Penalty (no permit)
Hayward's master fee schedule lists a standard hourly rate of $190 for inspections or other administrative services and $286 hourly for overtime plan check or inspection services. It also lists a violation fee for work done without permit at 205% of the building permit fee, in addition to regular permit fees.
Payment note
Hayward states plan check fees must be paid to start plan review. Inspection and administrative fees must be paid in full before permit issuance. The Permit Center also states a 4% convenience fee applies to credit card transactions exceeding $250.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses that are 120 square feet or less
  • Play structures accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, such as swing sets and jungle gyms
  • Prefabricated swimming pools not more than 24 inches deep, holding no more than 5,000 gallons, and installed directly on grade
  • Fences 7 feet tall or less
  • Concrete driveways and walkways on private property not more than 30 inches above grade and not above a basement or story below
  • Kitchen countertop replacements in the exact same format and location
  • Kitchen cabinet replacements in the same location and layout
  • Finish work such as carpet, paint, flooring, and tile, except where wet-area tile work requires a permit
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet tall when not supporting surcharge
  • Certain wall-supported window awnings that do not extend more than 54 inches
  • Small detached decks 200 square feet or less with no portion more than 30 inches above grade and not serving as a landing
  • Commercial or multi-family nonfixed movable fixtures such as moveable cases, racks, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches tall
  • Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes
  • Water tanks under 5,000 gallons supported directly on grade when the height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2:1
  • Minor work and repairs such as fixing plumbing leaks, repairing equipment, removing and replacing small portions of non-structural dry rot, and installing data or low-voltage wiring

Important: Hayward states many otherwise exempt items still require Planning Division review, and sometimes Building Division or Fire Prevention review, to confirm the exemption applies. Public sidewalk or curb work requires an encroachment permit. Emergency repairs still require a permit by the next working day.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Hayward's help materials state inspections must be scheduled before the day prior to the requested inspection date.
Inspection hours
Hayward's help materials state inspections must be scheduled before the day prior to the requested inspection date. AM or PM preferences are not guaranteed. Applicants can check the dashboard for updated inspection times or call the assigned inspector the morning of inspection for a rough arrival window.
Time windows
Applicants can check the dashboard for updated inspection times or call the assigned inspector the morning of inspection for a rough arrival window.

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by project scope. Hayward describes periodic inspections during construction and final approval. Residential projects are generally handled as combo inspections by one inspector covering structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work, while commercial projects may also involve separate specialist inspections for structural and accessibility, electrical, and plumbing or mechanical work.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Hayward Development Services Department, Building Division before applying.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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