Ukiah, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to properties within the incorporated City of Ukiah. Some projects may also require review from other agencies, including Mendocino County Environmental Health, Mendocino County Air Quality Management District, and other City divisions.

Department

City of Ukiah Community Development Department, Building Services Division

Address

300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482

Phone

(707) 467-5786

Email

buildingdivision@cityofukiah.com

Website

https://cityofukiah.com/community-development/building-services-2/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm project scope and zoning, then download the applicable permit application and submittal checklist from the City Building Services page.
2. Submit the completed building permit application and required plans/documents either online through CitizenServe or through City Hall during business hours.
3. Staff reviews the application for completeness and plan check. The City states routine plan check can take about 10 to 15 business days; eligible small residential projects may use Rapid Review by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
4. Respond to correction comments and resubmit if needed. The residential submittal handout says revised residential plan reviews are targeted within 5 working days after revised documents are received.
5. After approval, pay assessed permit fees and receive the permit.
6. Call for required inspections before covering work. Final approval closes out the permit.

Typical processing time: Plan check is published as 10 to 15 business days; residential resubmittals are targeted within 5 working days; eligible small residential projects may qualify for same-day Rapid Review.

Source: City of Ukiah Community Development Department, Building Services Division

General Requirements

The Building Services Division issues building permits and performs plan review and inspections for construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, accessibility work, and related regulated work. The City FAQ specifically confirms permits are required for reroofing, dry rot repair, window replacement, residential solar, hardwired spas/hot tubs, and most deck construction unless an exemption applies.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application
• Owner-builder disclosure if applicable
• Project plans drawn to scale
• Site plan
• Floor, foundation, and framing plans as applicable
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plans
• Elevations
• Energy calculations
• Structural calculations
• Soils, drainage, and special inspection forms when required
• Separate environmental health approval for some projects
• Encroachment permit for work in City right-of-way where applicable

Permit validity

The residential submittal handout states building permit applications and issued permits expire 1 year after the application date, issuance date, or last inspection, as applicable. One written 6-month extension may be granted if requested before expiration.

Building code

The City Building Services page lists adoption of the 2022 California Building Code, 2022 California Residential Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Plumbing Code, 2022 California Fire Code, 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, and 2022 California Energy Code.

Owner-builder

The City application includes owner-builder declarations tracking California Business and Professions Code section 7044. Owners may either perform work with their own employees/personal effort if the structure is not intended or offered for sale, or contract exclusively with licensed contractors.

Contractor requirements

The application requires either a valid contractor license declaration or a signed statement claiming an exemption from California contractor licensure. The form cites Business and Professions Code section 7031.5 and notes potential civil penalties for false exemption claims.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permits start at $105.00. Separate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits also use $105.00 permit issuance/base fees before applicable unit fees.

Plan check fee

The published sheets do not show a single standard upfront plan check percentage. They do publish additional plan review fees of $105.00 per hour for changes, additions, or revisions after initial review; outside consultants and third-party plan check costs are charged at actual cost/cost recovery.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based, using graduated brackets tied to project valuation. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits use unit-fee schedules plus permit issuance fees and applicable surcharges.

Trade permit fee

$105.00 permit issuance/base fee for separate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits before applicable unit fees.

Reinspection fee

$105.00 per inspection on the building and MEP schedules.

Penalty (no permit)

Red-tagged work without permits is charged at permit fee plus 3 times permit fee.

Payment note

The City materials reviewed do not clearly state accepted payment methods or whether all fees can be paid fully online through CitizenServe. Confirm payment handling with Building Services before submittal.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Decks do not require a building permit if they do not exceed 200 square feet, are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the required exit door under CRC Section R311.4.
• Fences 7 feet or less in height do not require a building permit.
• Landscaping and minor grading for landscaping do not require a permit.

Important: Even when a fence does not need a building permit, zoning height and setback rules still apply. The City also expressly says permits are still required for reroofing, dry rot repair, replacement windows, residential solar, and many spa/hot tub installations. The City has adopted the 2022 California codes, which contain additional state code exemptions, but the City page only expressly identifies the exemptions listed above.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspection request hotline: (707) 463-6739 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The City publishes conflicting statements saying inspections require either 24 hours or 48 hours advance notice; confirm lead time when scheduling.

Inspection hours

Community Development business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections are permit-specific and listed on the issued permit. The City says all work must be inspected before it is covered. Its example is footing/foundation inspection after excavation and reinforcement placement, before concrete is poured.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City Building Services page lists adoption of the 2022 California Building Code, 2022 California Residential Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Plumbing Code, 2022 California Fire Code, 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, and 2022 California Energy Code.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Official zoning map
• Zoning code
• Residential submittal requirements
• Commercial submittal requirements
• Building permit application
• Contact page
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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