San Leandro, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to properties within the incorporated City of San Leandro; the City directs applicants to verify location with its "Am I in San Leandro" map when needed.

Department

City of San Leandro Division of Building & Safety Services

Address

835 E 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94577

Phone

510-577-3405

Email

PermitsByEmail@SanLeandro.org

Website

https://www.sanleandro.org/199/Building-Safety-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs prior Planning approval before you apply for the building permit.
2. Create an Accela account for online filing, or make an in-person Permit Center appointment if you want counter service.
3. Prepare the permit application, plan set, and supporting documents in the required format. San Leandro requires one combined PDF for digital plan review, and hand-drafted plans require two printed full-scale sets.
4. Submit the application online through the permit portal or in person at the Permit Center.
5. Pay the filing and issuance fee to start processing, then pay plan check fees once the project is assigned a permit number and is ready to route for review.
6. Respond to correction comments and resubmit if needed until reviews are complete.
7. Follow the City's final packaging instructions, pay remaining permit fees, and obtain the issued permit before starting work.
8. Request required inspections during construction and obtain final approval before occupancy or use where applicable.

Typical processing time: Residential initial plan review is typically 12 to 15 business days, with resubmittals 7 to 10 business days. Commercial/industrial initial review is typically 15 to 20 business days, with resubmittals 10 to 12 business days. The City FAQ also states initial plan review can range from 5 to 20 working days depending on project complexity.

Source: City of San Leandro Division of Building & Safety Services

General Requirements

A permit is required before an owner or authorized agent constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, demolishes, or changes occupancy of a building or structure, or installs, alters, repairs, removes, converts, or replaces regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application; construction documents/plans; project valuation; applicant signature; and other information required by the Building Official. Common residential and commercial support documents listed by the City include structural calculations, truss calculations, soils report where required, manufacturer specifications, floodplain elevation certificate where applicable, energy documentation, CalGreen checklist, and owner approval letter for commercial tenant work.

Permit validity

Plan review expires if no permit is issued within 180 days of application unless extended in writing. Permit applications may be deemed abandoned after 180 days if not pursued in good faith. Issued permits become invalid if work is not started within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. The Building Official may grant extensions for justifiable cause.

Building code

San Leandro states its current code cycle took effect January 1, 2026. The City enforces the 2025 California Building Standards Code package, as adopted and amended in San Leandro Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 7-5, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, Green Building Standards, Existing Building, and Historical Building codes, plus referenced standards.

Owner-builder

Owners may pull an owner-builder permit under California Business and Professions Code section 7044. San Leandro requires an Owner-Builder Acknowledgement form. Owners acting as contractor must hire CSLB-licensed subcontractors with current San Leandro business licenses, attach the subcontractor list if applicable, and bring photo ID to pick up an owner-builder permit. The City form also states an owner-builder generally may not offer the property for sale within 12 months of final completion unless statutory conditions are met.

Contractor requirements

Permits are issued to a California-licensed contractor or the property owner. City owner-builder forms state subcontractors must be CSLB licensed and must also hold current San Leandro business licenses.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$212 filing and issuance fee per permit; the valuation table starts at $531 for building permit valuation from $1 to $5,000.

Plan check fee

Separate from the permit fee. The municipal code states plan review is 80% of the building permit fee, and the adopted fee schedule also lists valuation-based plan check tiers beginning at $212 for the lowest valuation bracket.

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based. The building permit schedule uses valuation brackets with a base fee plus an added amount per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, depending on project type. The Building Official determines valuation and may use ICC valuation tables with a regional modifier.

Reinspection fee

Miscellaneous inspections are $319 per hour with a 1-hour minimum; inspections outside normal business hours are $606 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. The municipal code authorizes an investigation fee equal to the permit fee for work without a permit, plus a potential penalty equal to 3 times the building permit fee. The adopted fee schedule also lists administrative citations of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third.

Penalty (no permit)

Miscellaneous inspections are $319 per hour with a 1-hour minimum; inspections outside normal business hours are $606 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. The municipal code authorizes an investigation fee equal to the permit fee for work without a permit, plus a potential penalty equal to 3 times the building permit fee. The adopted fee schedule also lists administrative citations of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third.

Payment note

The City's online payment guide says paying online by credit card adds a credit card fee. City fee materials also state credit card transactions processed by the City may include a service fee up to 2.5% of the transaction amount. Permit Center materials direct applicants with questions to confirm payment handling with staff.

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 and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 120 square feet
• Rear-yard fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio
• Sidewalks, platforms, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, countertops, and similar finish work in R-3 occupancies
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Certain above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies projecting no more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Tree houses up to 64 square feet and 15 feet high when accessory to a detached one- or two-family dwelling and not encroaching into zoning setbacks

Important: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates zoning, floodplain, accessibility, fire, utility, or other applicable requirements. Separate approvals may still be required depending on scope and location.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online through the permit portal at https://aca-prod.accela.com/SANLEANDRO or https://www.sanleandro.org/PermitPortal (online)
• https://aca-prod.accela.com/SANLEANDRO (online)
• https://www.sanleandro.org/PermitPortal (online)
• inspection line at 510-577-3435 to confirm inspection and time window (phone)
• general Building & Safety line at 510-577-3405. (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The City requests two business days' notice.

Inspection hours

Normal inspections are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inspectors can be reached directly from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City requests two business days' notice. After-hours and weekend inspections are available for added fees.

Time windows

Normal inspections are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Preliminary inspection if needed; footing and foundation; slab and under-floor; lowest floor elevation in flood hazard areas; frame inspection after rough MEP approvals; lath and gypsum board; fire-resistant penetrations; energy efficiency and HERS-related inspections; other or special inspections as required; residential fire sprinkler final where applicable; final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: San Leandro states its current code cycle took effect January 1, 2026. The City enforces the 2025 California Building Standards Code package, as adopted and amended in San Leandro Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 7-5, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, Green Building Standards, Existing Building, and Historical Building codes, plus referenced standards.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Center
• Permits / Plan Review
• Building Fees / Forms / Submittal Facts
• Inspection Services
• FAQ
• Building code page
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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