King City, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building permits within King City city limits; unincorporated Monterey County is handled by Monterey County, not the City of King.

Department

Building & Safety Department, City of King

Address

212 South Vanderhurst Avenue, King City, CA 93930

Phone

831-385-3281; permit issuance appointments: 831-386-5925

Email

Mark McClain , Chief Building Official , mmcclain@kingcity.com

Website

https://kingcity.com/174/Building-Safety-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and land use constraints with the city before finalizing plans, especially for new construction, additions, or changes in use.
2. Prepare a building permit application with project valuation, scope, owner/applicant/contractor information, and required declarations.
3. Submit the application and plans to the Building & Safety Department. The city says applications may be submitted over the counter or by fax, and it also links to an online Citizenserve permit portal.
4. Pay plan check fees at submittal when plan review is required.
5. Respond to plan check comments if the city requests corrections or additional information.
6. Schedule a permit issuance appointment when the project is approved. The city states appointments are required for permit issuance.
7. Pay permit issuance fees and keep approved plans and the inspection card on site during construction.
8. Request inspections by phone, over the counter, by fax, or by email as work progresses, then obtain final inspection approval before occupancy where required.

Typical processing time: Small projects may be issued over the counter; some larger projects may complete plan check within about two weeks, while more complex projects may take longer.

Source: Building & Safety Department, City of King

General Requirements

The city states permits are required, with limited exceptions, whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• plans/specifications when plan check is required
• engineered calculations for projects that require them
• project valuation and square footage
• contractor license information or owner-builder declaration
• workers' compensation declaration
• lending agency information if applicable
• hazardous materials/EPA notification forms if applicable.

Permit validity

Published city materials are inconsistent. The application form says a permit is void if work does not start within 180 days or if work is suspended with no inspections for more than 180 days. The municipal code also says permits expire two years after issuance unless a shorter period applies, while still requiring commencement within 180 days and progress inspections at least every 180 days.

Building code

King City Municipal Code Chapter 12.04 adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Code components, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards Codes, plus the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may claim exemption from CSLB licensing if they perform the work themselves or through their own employees and the work is not intended or offered for sale, or if they contract exclusively with licensed contractors. The form cites Business and Professions Code section 7044 and notes the owner-builder bears the burden if the property is sold within one year of completion.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a current California contractor license declaration on the application. The city's FAQ also says contractors must have a current City of King business license, workers' compensation coverage, and bonding; subcontractors must also have City of King business licenses and be bonded.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$110.00

Plan check fee

Plan check fees are also valuation-based per 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; the FAQ says building and planning plan check fees are collected when plans and documents are submitted.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based per the city's Master Fee Schedule, which references 1997 Building Code Table 3-A; some permit types are flat-fee items.

Reinspection fee

The published fee schedule lists Fire Re-Inspection at $131.00 after the first two inspections for applicable fire permits. The FAQ says work started without permits will incur additional fees, but no separate building reinspection or stop-work penalty line was clearly published in the master fee schedule.

Penalty (no permit)

The FAQ says work started without permits will incur additional fees, but no separate building reinspection or stop-work penalty line was clearly published in the master fee schedule.

Payment note

The FAQ says plan check fees are collected at submittal and permit fees at issuance. The city also maintains an online payment page at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/kingcityca .

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet with no utilities
• Window awnings on dwelling units that do not project more than 54 inches
• Window replacements where the frame, nailing flange, and existing weather protection are not altered
• Finish flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Floor sheathing repair limited to 10 square feet
• Replacement, repair, or overlay of less than 25% of an existing roof within a 12-month period
• Decorative interior tile
• Fences under 6 feet high
• Retaining walls under 4 feet high with no surcharge
• Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below
• Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Certain prefabricated above-ground pools serving single-family dwellings if under 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep
• Clearing stoppages and stopping leaks where piping is not replaced
• Toilet and faucet repair/replacement if valves, pipes, or fixture arrangement are not replaced or rearranged
• Replacement of outlets and switches in existing boxes
• Replacement of circuit breakers and fuses, except main disconnect replacement
• Temporary decorative lighting for dwellings
• Portable appliances, heating appliances, ventilating equipment, cooling units, evaporative coolers, and replacement parts that do not alter approval/listing or create unsafe conditions

Important: Emergency repairs still require a permit application by the next working business day. Work exempt from a building permit may still require planning approval or other city clearances. Driveway aprons, approaches, and public sidewalk work should be checked with Public Works.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Citizenserve Online Portal (online)
• 831-385-3281 (phone)

Inspection hours

Requests made before 4:00 p.m. will normally be inspected the next day. Inspections are typically performed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other days/times may be available by special request and may trigger a special inspection fee.

Time windows

Requests made before 4:00 p.m. will normally be inspected the next day. Inspections are typically performed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other days/times may be available by special request and may trigger a special inspection fee.

Typical inspection sequence: For a new single-family dwelling, the city's handout lists under-slab plumbing if applicable, foundation, slab, under-floor framing/plumbing/mechanical, subfloor nailing if applicable, exterior shear and roof nailing, rough inspections, insulation, interior shear if applicable, water and sewer, gas test, and final inspection.

Other inspections may be required depending on site conditions. The city publishes at least one fire reinspection fee, and special-request inspection timing may require a special inspection fee.

Additional Resources

• Building code: King City Municipal Code Chapter 12.04 adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Code components, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards Codes, plus the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://kingcity.com/175/Building-Department-Handouts https://kingcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/167/Building-Permit-Application-PDF https://kingcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/180/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Brochure-PDF https://kingcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/163/Work-Exempt-from-Permit-PDF https://kingcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/209/Handout-34--Required-Inspections-PDF https://ecode360.com/44581217
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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