Concord, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The Building Division issues building permits within the incorporated City of Concord. Separate approvals may also be required from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, County Health, Contra Costa County Sewer District, and the City Engineering Division depending on project scope. This jurisdictional split is stated or implied by the City's permit guidance.

Department

City of Concord Building Division

Address

City of Concord Permit Center (Building D), 1950 Parkside Drive, MS/51, Concord, CA 94519

Phone

925-671-3107

Email

bldgpermits@cityofconcord.org

Website

https://www.cityofconcord.org/180/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm project requirements before applying by reviewing Concord's submittal requirements and using Permit Pal for zoning, permit, and fee information.
2. Prepare the application package in PDF format. Concord's residential submittal checklists commonly require a contractor declaration or owner-builder form, plan check/admin fee payment, drawings, and project-specific supporting documents such as structural calculations, Title 24 energy documents, CALGreen materials, and soils reports when applicable.
3. Submit the building permit application through the Virtual Permit Center. The City instructs applicants to apply separately to outside agencies when the scope triggers their review, including the Fire District, County Health, and Contra Costa County Sewer District. Separate grading or encroachment permits are also required from Concord Engineering for soil movement or right-of-way work.
4. Pay plan check and administrative fees at submittal. Remaining permit fees are due after all required City divisions and outside agencies approve the application and all conditions are satisfied.
5. Respond to plan review comments and provide any required outside-agency approvals. Concord notes that building permits will not be issued until required approvals are received.
6. After issuance, post the permit card, complete the work, and request inspections through the City's inspection system until final approval.

Typical processing time: The City does not publish a universal processing time for all building permit types on its general permit pages. For at least one published permit pathway, Concord states ADU permits are typically issued within 60 calendar days after submittal of a complete application; project-specific timing varies.

Source: City of Concord Building Division

General Requirements

Concord's "Work Requiring a Permit" bulletin states all new installations listed require permits, many replacements also require permits, and the list is not exhaustive. Examples requiring permits include accessory structures, garages, garage conversions, decks, retaining walls over the stated thresholds, fireplaces/chimneys, kitchen and bathroom remodels, reroofs, room additions, windows, HVAC equipment, new or extended wiring, service/subpanels, gas piping, sewer lines, and many plumbing fixture changes.

Required Documents

• Common required items include contractor declaration; owner-builder acknowledgment when the owner or the owner's agent applies; drawings in PDF; structural calculations when applicable; Title 24 energy documents when applicable; CALGreen checklist for applicable residential projects; geotechnical/soil report when required; and any required outside-agency approvals. Plans by licensed professionals must be stamped and signed.

Permit validity

Concord states an application is null and void if it is not approved within 12 months of application, or if an approved application is not issued within 12 months of approval. A permit becomes null and void if no inspection is passed within 12 months of issuance or within 12 months of the last valid passed inspection. An active issued permit is canceled if it is not finaled within 3 years of issuance.

Building code

Concord's current building-code page lists the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Concord Municipal Code Title 15, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District amendments, including 2025 California Fire Code amendments and 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code amendments.

Owner-builder

Concord will not issue an owner-builder permit until the owner-builder acknowledgment form is completed and submitted. The form states the owner-builder is the responsible party of record and explains contractor-license-law exemptions and related risks.

Contractor requirements

Concord requires a contractor declaration for licensed contractors. The owner-builder form cites California Business and Professions Code section 7031.5 and requires applicants either to state their contractor license basis or claim an exemption. Concord's submittal requirements also state a City business license is required for all contractors doing work within the city.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

For general building valuation-based fees, the published minimums are effectively the flat fee brackets at the low end: plan review fee $83.93 and inspection fee $130.09 for valuations from $0 to $2,000, plus administrative and technology fees. The administrative fee is $67.50 plus 0.000789 times valuation, capped at $550.

Plan check fee

General building valuation-based plan review fees start at $83.93 for valuations up to $2,000; additional plan review is charged hourly at $220.00. Plan check/admin fees are due at submittal.

Permit fee formula

Concord uses a mix of valuation-based and flat fees. General building permits use valuation-based plan review and inspection fee tables; MEP-only work uses separate valuation-based MEP tables; some permit types such as solar PV, pools, and portable spas use flat or semi-flat schedules.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fees are listed at $186.00 per hour. Building Code Enforcement lists a reinspection fee at $186.00 hourly as well.

Payment note

Concord requires plan check and administrative fees at application submittal, with remaining permit fees due after approvals and condition clearance. The Virtual Permit Center also provides payment instructions and payment workflows.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door.
• Fences or screening 7 feet or less high, stated as 6 feet maximum plus 1 foot of lattice.
• Prefabricated above-ground pools that do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are less than 24 inches deep.
• Garage door opener replacement when no new overhead outlet is added.
• Replacement GFCI devices.
• Replacement non-recessed lighting fixtures.
• Faucet or toilet replacement only when the fixture is not moved.
• Dishwasher replacement only if an air gap already exists.

Important: Concord's bulletin says the list is not complete, and all work must still comply with the City's construction codes and development standards whether or not a permit is required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 925-671-3330 (phone)
• https://cityofconcord.org/182/Inspection-Services (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests submitted by 11:59 p.m.

Inspection hours

Inspection requests submitted by 11:59 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. After 8:00 a.m. on the day of inspection, the permit holder can confirm whether the inspection is in the AM window (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or PM window (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Inspection hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time windows

Inspection requests submitted by 11:59 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. After 8:00 a.m. on the day of inspection, the permit holder can confirm whether the inspection is in the AM window (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or PM window (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Inspection hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Request the inspection after the work is complete and ready, keep the permit card on site, ensure the contractor is present for contractor-installed work, complete any correction items, and continue through required trade and final inspections until the permit is finalized. Reinspection note: Concord charges a reinspection fee if no one is present at the time of inspection, and the fee schedule lists reinspection at $186.00 per hour.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Concord's current building-code page lists the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Concord Municipal Code Title 15, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District amendments, including 2025 California Fire Code amendments and 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code amendments.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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