Napa, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building permits for properties within the incorporated City of Napa. Properties in unincorporated Napa County are handled separately by Napa County PBES.

Department

City of Napa Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

1600 First Street, Napa, CA 94559

Phone

707-257-9540

Email

permittechs@cityofnapa.org

Website

https://www.cityofnapa.org/228/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the Building Division first to confirm whether your project qualifies for over-the-counter, express review, or full review and to confirm submittal requirements.
2. Prepare the application and plans. Over-the-counter permits require a completed application with an accurate work description. Express review typically requires a completed application plus 3 plan sets. Full review typically requires a completed application plus 3 to 6 plan sets and supporting documents.
3. If plans are required, submit plan sheets no smaller than 11 x 17 inches; 24 x 36 inches is preferred. If owner-builder, include the owner-builder disclosure form.
4. For express review, plans are reviewed at the counter for minor projects taking about 10 to 15 minutes of review time. For full review, the City states plans are reviewed within 21 business days of submittal; FAQ states first review is typically up to 21 business days and resubmittals up to 14 business days.
5. Pay plan review and permit fees. The fee schedule states the building plan review portion is 33% of the building permit fee and is due with plan check submittal; the remainder is due when the permit is approved.
6. After permit issuance, keep the approved plans, job card, and permit documents posted or available at the job site for inspections.

Typical processing time: Express review takes about 10 to 15 minutes of review time for qualifying minor projects. Full review first review is typically up to 21 business days, and resubmittals are typically up to 14 business days.

Source: City of Napa Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

City permit is required unless the work falls within the City's listed permit exemptions based on CBC section 105.2. The City also notes over-the-counter permits are commonly used for electrical service change-outs, furnace and water heater change-outs, and roofing.

Required Documents

• Completed application with accurate work description
• 3 to 6 plan sets if plans are required
• Owner-builder disclosure if applicable
• Separate fire plan sets where sprinklers, alarms, or hood systems apply

Building code

City pages are inconsistent. The Building Division page says the City adopted the 2025 California Building Code effective January 1, 2025, while the permit-information page says permits applied for on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with adopted 2025 California Codes.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must provide a completed owner-builder disclosure form when applicable.

Contractor requirements

Unless the property owner is doing the work personally, the contractor must hold an active California contractor license. The City FAQ also states all contractors and subcontractors performing construction work in the City must have an active City of Napa business license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential permit processing minimum fee is $244 effective February 3, 2025

Plan check fee

Building plan review portion is 33% of the building permit fee and is due with plan check submittal.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Some permits are flat or minimum fees; others are based on square footage, valuation, or full cost. The master fee schedule states building permit fees include plan review and inspection for listed fee categories.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is charged per hour at full cost under the master fee schedule.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without first obtaining required permits may be charged an investigation fee up to 10 times the permit cost.

Payment note

The Building Department accepts checks payable to the City of Napa, credit cards except American Express with no processing fee, or exact cash.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective February 3, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons meeting ratio limits
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Certain above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and not more than 5,000 gallons
• Minor electrical repairs and maintenance such as lamp replacement or connection of approved portable equipment
• Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment and certain minor mechanical replacements that do not alter approval or create unsafe conditions
• Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages or repairing leaks where pipes or fixtures are not replaced or rearranged

Important: The City states all exempt work must still comply with applicable codes and ordinances.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 707-257-1063 (phone)
• eTRAKiT (online)
• 707-257-9540 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Inspection hours

Inspections are offered Monday through Friday except City holidays.

Time windows

AM window: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM; PM window: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Common sequence includes setbacks and foundation, underfloor and underground, rough trade inspections, insulation and drywall, fire prevention inspections if applicable, and final building inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City pages are inconsistent. The Building Division page says the City adopted the 2025 California Building Code effective January 1, 2025, while the permit-information page says permits applied for on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with adopted 2025 California Codes.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit and Plan Review Information
• Plan Submittal Questions
• Inspections
• Building Division FAQ
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Napa County