Folsom, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to projects within the incorporated City of Folsom in Sacramento County. Projects may also need approvals from other agencies identified during plan review.

Department

City of Folsom Community Development Department, Building Services / Building Division

Address

50 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630

Phone

916-461-6201 (Building Permit Counter); 916-461-6200 (Building Services)

Email

EPC@folsom.ca.us

Website

https://www.folsom.ca.us/government/community-development/building-services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project is a minor permit or major permit and whether planning or design review is required first.
2. Create an eTRAKiT account and submit the building permit application online with all required plans and documents.
3. City staff performs a completeness check. For major permits, the coordinator verifies plan review fees; for minor permits, staff may review and approve directly.
4. Pay plan review fees when requested. Folsom states all documents must be uploaded at application for major permits.
5. Complete City and agency review and respond to correction comments if issued.
6. After approval, pay issuance fees online or in person.
7. Download the permit card and approved plans, print the approved plans full-size, keep them on site, and start work only after permit issuance.
8. Schedule inspections through eTRAKiT during construction and obtain final inspection or closeout at completion.

Typical processing time: Minor permits can be issued in about 1 to 3 days if complete. Estimated first-cycle review timelines for major permits range from about 3 business days for residential EV chargers to 20 business days for custom homes, master plans, and larger commercial projects. Later cycles are typically 3 to 10 business days depending on scope.

Source: City of Folsom Community Development Department, Building Services / Building Division

General Requirements

Building permits are required for work regulated by the adopted California building codes and Folsom Municipal Code. Construction cannot start until the permit is issued.

Required Documents

• Building permit application details
• Applicable building forms and submittal checklists
• Site plans and floor plans
• Construction drawings
• Energy forms and product specifications
• Project-specific supporting documents
• Printed approved plans on site before the first inspection

Permit validity

Folsom states permit applications expire 180 days after filing if not issued. Issued permits expire 12 months after issuance if work has not commenced to the Building Official satisfaction, or if more than 180 calendar days pass between approved required inspections after that initial period. Folsom also states that, per the Municipal Code, building permits expire two years after issuance. A one-time 180-day written extension may be granted for justifiable cause if requested before expiration.

Building code

As of January 1, 2026, permit applications submitted on or after that date must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Code. Applications submitted before January 1, 2026 may remain under the 2022 code cycle so long as the application or permit does not expire.

Owner-builder

If the property owner is personally performing the work, Folsom requires an Owner-Builder Verification before permit issuance. The owner-builder becomes the responsible party of record and may incur employer obligations if hiring unlicensed workers.

Contractor requirements

Folsom owner-builder materials state contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded in California and must place their license number on permit applications.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$138 base building permit fee for valuation-based permits under Section B of the January 1, 2026 building fee schedule. Many common minor permits have fixed fees, such as $138 for a residential EV charger permit.

Plan check fee

80% of the building permit fee when plan review applies. Expedited plan check is 1.5x the standard plan check fee.

Permit fee formula

Both flat and valuation-based. Many common permit types have flat fees. New buildings, additions, tenant improvements, residential remodels, and combined MEP permits use a valuation-based schedule starting at $138 for the first $2,000 valuation, then increasing by bracket. Folsom also applies a $79 permit processing fee and certain state and local surcharges where applicable.

Trade permit fee

$138 for a residential EV charger permit under the January 1, 2026 schedule.

Reinspection fee

$188 after the first reinspection. Missed inspection fee is $188. Permit reissuance is $188.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation fee for work done without permits is equal to the permit fee, in addition to permit fees.

Payment note

Folsom accepts cash, checks, e-checks, and major credit cards online or in person. Credit card payments have a 3.0% service fee. E-check payments have a $3.50 service fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 1, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Exempt work generally follows the work-exempt provisions in the California Building Code and California Residential Code adopted by Folsom
• Common examples include small detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet
• Certain fences not over 7 feet high
• Certain retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing
• Platforms and walks not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a qualifying area
• Painting, papering, cabinet work, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated pools meeting the code small-size threshold
• Playground equipment for one- and two-family dwellings

Important: Exemption from a building permit does not waive compliance with zoning, design review, historic district rules, utility clearances, or other agency approvals. In Historic Folsom, separate design review rules may still apply even where a building permit is not required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (online)
• 916-461-6201 (phone)
• EPC@folsom.ca.us (email)

Scheduling deadline

Next-day inspections may be requested until 3:00 p.m. Requests after 3:00 p.m. are scheduled at least two business days out.

Inspection hours

Job sites must be ready and accessible by 8:00 a.m. on the inspection day.

Time windows

Inspections can be scheduled up to four days in advance.

Typical inspection sequence: Use the preloaded inspections attached to the permit in eTRAKiT, complete required trade and rough inspections, then schedule final inspection. For certificates of occupancy, all applicable COO series inspections must pass before the 900-series final inspection. Printed approved plans must be kept on site.

Additional Resources

• Building code: As of January 1, 2026, permit applications submitted on or after that date must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Code. Applications submitted before January 1, 2026 may remain under the 2022 code cycle so long as the application or permit does not expire.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Folsom Municipal Code
• Building Services
• Building Forms and Resources
• Building Inspections
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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