City Building Permits

Richmond, CA Building Permit Guide

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

California Contra Costa County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Building permits are issued by the City of Richmond for work in Richmond city limits. Final inspection sign-off may also require approvals from Fire, Planning, Health, Engineering, sanitary districts, or Water Resource Recovery depending on project scope.

Department
City of Richmond Community Development Department, Building Division
Address
450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804
Phone
(510) 620-6868
Website
https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2099/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Open iMS (Intuitive Municipal Solutions)

Platform: iMS (Intuitive Municipal Solutions) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Application Process

  1. Create an iMS account. Richmond states new users must create an account, and all new permit applications must be submitted through the iMS web portal.
  2. Prepare the permit application and required project information, including job site address, APN, owner/applicant/contractor details, valuation, and scope of work. If plans are required, prepare complete PDF construction drawings and supporting design documents.
  3. Submit the application online through iMS. If unable to submit electronically, applicants may submit in person by appointment through the Building Division.
  4. Upload plans and documents in the ePermitHub Digital Plan Room when prompted. Richmond uses the Digital Plan Room for electronic plan submission, review, corrections, and approval.
  5. Respond to plan review comments and upload revisions as needed. Richmond notes that applications expire if inactive for 180 days, but activity such as uploading documents or responding to comments resets the 180-day clock.
  6. After approval, pay assessed permit fees and obtain the issued permit. Richmond states iMS supports online application payments.
  7. Post the inspection record card and keep the stamped approved plans on site, then call/text or use iMS to schedule required inspections.

Typical processing time: Richmond says most single-trade permits and residential remodels that do not require drawings are issued upon receipt and verification of required permit application documents. No general citywide turnaround is published for plan-check projects.

Source: City of Richmond Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Richmond requires a building permit before constructing, erecting, enlarging, altering, moving, repairing, improving, converting, or demolishing any building or structure, except work listed on the city's exempt-work handout.

Required Documents

  • Permit application; owner/applicant/contractor and valuation information; complete PDF construction drawings if plans are required; PDF design calculations and referenced documents; title sheet, code references, project location, contacts, index, plot plan, general notes, and plans/details needed for review. Additional forms may include owner-builder declaration, contractor declaration, LLC disclosure statement, and other trade/project-specific forms.
Permit validity
Permit applications are deemed abandoned after 180 days unless pursued in good faith or extended. After plan review approval notification, if no permit is issued within 180 days, the approval expires by limitation. Once issued, the permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 12 months or is suspended/abandoned for 12 months; Richmond states activity such as passing inspection resets the expiration date to one year from the last activity. Written extensions are available.
Building code
Richmond states its Building Code is the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24), with local amendments in Richmond Municipal Code section 6.02.030.
Owner-builder
Owners may obtain permits subject to California owner-builder rules. Richmond requires the California owner-builder declaration and may require proof of ownership or long-term lease. The permit application cites Business and Professions Code section 7044 exemptions.
Contractor requirements
Permits may be issued to property owners, authorized agents, and licensed contractors. Contractors must provide a valid California contractor license, current workers' compensation insurance, and a current City of Richmond business license; Richmond also states city debts must not be outstanding or delinquent.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Filing single-trade permits is $160 under the adopted June 2025 master fee schedule. Filing permits with two or more trades is $224 for minor residential remodel/improvement and $385 for residential additions and all other.
Plan check fee
The schedule includes plan-check-related charges rather than a single universal percentage. Examples include a plan check consultation fee of $224 for 30 minutes minimum, third plan checking submittal fee of $446, and expedited plan review fee of $1,342 minimum 2 hours. Plan check review fees are non-refundable.
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Richmond uses flat filing fees plus valuation-based building permit fees for structure and envelope work, plus percentage surcharges. Example valuation-based fees in the adopted June 2025 schedule start at $188 for $0-$3,000 valuation, rise by bracket, and for work over $1,000,001 are $13,786 for the first $1,000,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction. The city also applies a technology/comprehensive planning surcharge of 0.001875 x project valuation.
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee is $203 per address.
Penalty (no permit)
Investigation fee for work done without permits is 3 times the permit fee.
Payment note
Richmond states iMS is used to submit applications and payments online. Applicants unable to submit electronically may use in-person appointment-based service.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures such as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
  • Fences other than swimming pool barriers not over 7 feet high
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
  • Certain small water tanks, low sidewalks/driveways not part of an accessible route, and above-ground prefabricated pools meeting code thresholds
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Minor electrical repair work such as lamp replacement or connecting approved portable equipment to existing receptacles
  • Portable heating appliances and minor gas/mechanical part replacement that does not alter approval or create unsafe conditions
  • Minor plumbing leak repairs or stoppage clearing that do not require replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures

Important: Richmond's handout states exempt work still must comply with the code and other laws or ordinances. Emergency repairs require the permit application by the next working business day. Separate planning, floodplain, utility, sanitary district, or other approvals may still apply even if a building permit is not required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Richmond publishes AM/PM inspection scheduling by phone/text instructions.
Inspection hours
Richmond publishes AM/PM inspection scheduling by phone/text instructions. The permit application states advance one day notice is required for inspection requests. I did not find an official posted daily cutoff or detailed inspection-hour window beyond the AM/PM scheduling reference.
Time windows
Richmond publishes AM/PM inspection scheduling by phone/text instructions. The permit application states advance one day notice is required for inspection requests. I did not find an official posted daily cutoff or detailed inspection-hour window beyond the AM/PM scheduling reference.

Typical inspection sequence: Sequence depends on scope, but Richmond's published codes include foundation/setbacks/piers/forms-rebar/slab; underfloor; rough plumbing/mechanical/electrical; framing; insulation; drywall; and final inspections for building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, grading/drainage, and fire. Reinspection note: Reinspection is billed at $203 per address under the adopted fee schedule. Richmond also notes applicants should not cover work before city inspection.

Additional Resources

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

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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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