Placerville, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated City of Placerville. The city directs applicants to verify whether the job site is within city limits before applying.

Department

City of Placerville Development Services Department, Building Division

Address

3101 Center St, Placerville, CA 95667

Phone

(530) 642-5240

Email

pville.building@gmail.com , ghorsfall@cityofplacerville.org

Website

https://www.cityofplacerville.org/BuildingDivision

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Verify the project address is inside Placerville city limits using the city's jurisdiction or address lookup.
2. Confirm the work requires a permit by reviewing the city's Projects that Require a Permit page and exemption list.
3. Prepare the application and plan package. The city application asks for owner, contractor, APN, scope, valuation, and supporting forms, and the plan submittal checklist calls for 2 plan sets plus 1 labeled floor plan. Structural, Title 24, truss, grading, fire sprinkler, planning, and fire district clearances may also be required.
4. Submit through the Camino online portal or in person at City Hall.
5. Pay plan check fees at submittal.
6. Respond to plan check comments and obtain any outside-agency approvals the city or project requires.
7. After permit issuance, call or use the inspection dashboard or general request form to schedule inspections, then obtain final approval before occupancy or project closeout.

Source: City of Placerville Development Services Department, Building Division

General Requirements

A written construction permit is required before erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving, or alteration of a building or structure, subject to listed exemptions. The city also lists typical permit-triggering work including additions or alterations, decks, electrical panels or circuits, gas lines, HVAC, kitchen and bathroom remodels, new single-family dwellings, ADUs, accessory structures, patio covers, solar, plumbing, reroof, retaining walls greater than 3 feet, sheds greater than 120 square feet, signs, pools or spas, water heaters, water or sewer service, and window replacements.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• APN and site address
• Owner, contractor, and designer information
• Project description and valuation
• Plan sets
• Labeled floor plan
• Site plan
• Structural calculations
• Title 24 calculations
• Truss calculations
• Geotechnical report
• Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans
• Fire sprinkler information
• Grading or engineering items
• Planning review materials
• El Dorado County Fire District clearance

Permit validity

A permit expires 1 year from issuance or 180 days from the last approved inspection. The city also states permits become invalid unless work starts within 12 months after issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 12 months after commencement. Written extensions of up to 180 days each may be granted for justifiable cause.

Building code

Placerville Municipal Code Section 4-1-4 adopts California Code of Regulations Title 24 Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 by reference. Current city announcements state the 2025 California Building Standards Code takes effect January 1, 2026; city documents used for current permit processing still reference the 2022 code cycle in practice for now, and older handouts may still show 2019 references.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must sign the required declarations and disclosures. City materials state owner-builders assume responsibility for the project, the principal-residence rule applies in certain cases, and owners should be cautious about using owner-builder status for contractor-led work.

Contractor requirements

The application requires either a licensed contractor declaration or an owner-builder declaration. City materials state anyone contracting for or bidding on construction work valued at $500 or more must be licensed by CSLB, and all contractors not acting as employees of the owner must have both a California license and a City of Placerville business license to work within city limits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$95.00 for permit valuations up to $7,999

Plan check fee

$95.00 minimum up to $15,999; 0.6% of valuation from $16,000 to $100,000; and $600 plus 0.3% of valuation over $100,000. Title 24 plan check fees include $54 for windows, HVAC, and reroof.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. Permit fee is $95 minimum up to $7,999; 1.2% of valuation from $8,000 to $100,000; and $1,200 plus 0.7% of valuation over $100,000.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee $95.

Penalty (no permit)

Inspection without benefit of a permit is $95 per hour per inspection. Permit extension fee is $95 per inspection as determined by the Building Official. Permit to reestablish an expired permit is $95 per inspection determined by the Building Official. Notice of non-compliance is $250 plus recorder fees. Appeal to Board of Building Appeals is $300.

Payment note

Plan check fee is due at submittal. The fee schedule also includes document fees and separate state or local add-ons such as Green Fee, SMIP, school fees, and fire district impact fees where applicable.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not over 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids
• Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within stated height-to-width ratio
• Sidewalks and driveways within stated grade and accessibility limits
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Certain prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes without service systems
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Certain window awnings with limited projection and no added support
• Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions within stated height limits
• Electrical exemptions such as listed cord-and-plug temporary decorative lighting, receptacle reinstallation, same-capacity overcurrent device replacement, and communications wiring, devices, or apparatus
• Mechanical exemptions such as portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment, certain closed piping systems, component replacement not altering approval, and unit refrigerating systems
• Plumbing exemptions such as stopping leaks and clearing stoppages where the work does not require replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures
• Residential decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door

Important: Exemptions do not authorize work that violates other laws or codes. Minor work exemptions depend on whether structural features, egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility are affected, as determined by the enforcing agency. Grading has separate city permit rules and exemptions under Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 7.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (530) 642-5240 (phone)
• Building Permit Dashboard (online)
• General Inspection Request (online)

Scheduling deadline

The city's inspection instruction sheet says inspections may be requested for next-day service.

Inspection hours

Virtual inspections 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM; field inspections 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The city's inspection instruction sheet says inspections are typically conducted Monday through Friday between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: The city does not publish one universal sequence on the cited pages. Sequence depends on scope. At inspection, the approved plans must be available, the inspector must have access to the work area, and the work must be complete and ready for inspection.

Virtual inspections by FaceTime or Zoom are available on request.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Placerville Municipal Code Section 4-1-4 adopts California Code of Regulations Title 24 Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 by reference. Current city announcements state the 2025 California Building Standards Code takes effect January 1, 2026; city documents used for current permit processing still reference the 2022 code cycle in practice for now, and older handouts may still show 2019 references.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning lookup
• Accessory Dwelling Units
• Municipal code
• Inspection instructions
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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