Pismo Beach, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City permits and inspections for projects in the City of Pismo Beach.

Department

City of Pismo Beach, Building Division

Address

760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Phone

805-773-7040

Website

https://www.pismobeach.org/235/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Before submitting a building application, determine whether the project changes the building footprint, changes use of space, or adds exterior changes.
2. If any of those answers are yes, obtain planning approval before the building submittal.
3. Prepare the completed permit application, complete plan set, and supporting reports.
4. Submit separate PDF files for plans, application materials, and supporting documents as required by the checklist.
5. Pay the plan review fee after city processing and before review starts.
6. Proceed through review under the applicable code cycle and vesting rules.
7. Fully process and obtain the permit within 365 days of application submission or resubmit as a new package.

Source: City of Pismo Beach, Building Division

General Requirements

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Owner-builder acknowledgment and any required owner-builder agent authorization
• Copy of planning permit conditions if applicable
• Stamped and signed plan set where required, including title sheet, site plan, floor plans, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural plans, and supporting calculations
• Title 24 compliance documentation
• Required soils report for projects of 500 square feet or more
• Drainage report

Permit validity

Building permits must be fully processed and permitted within 365 days of application submission or a new full resubmittal is required.

Building code

Applications with plan-check fees paid on or after January 1, 2026 are under the 2025 codes. Earlier vested applications may remain under the 2022 codes if vesting deadlines and plan check conditions are met.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder acknowledgment and owner-builder agent authorization may be required.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$82.87 for valuation from $1 to $500

Plan check fee

Plan review is separate and calculated at 100% of building permit fee components. Plan review fees must be paid before routing for review.

Permit fee formula

Representative building permit tiers include $82.87 for valuation from $1 to $500, then increasing tiered charges by valuation bracket, including $8.27 per additional $100 from $501 to $2,000 and $35.93 per additional $1,000 in higher brackets.

Reinspection fee

$30 when the applicant is not ready for a scheduled inspection

Payment note

Permit-related fees are processed online through the city's official payments site.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Some signs are exempt from permit requirements, including examples where planning permit is not required, temporary sale or rental signs, and signs by transportation authorities

Important: The city does not publish one universal exempt-work list for building permits in the cited sources. Separate sign requirements still apply, and sign projects should be verified for planning and building impacts before they are treated as exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 805-773-7045 (phone)
• On-site inspection request form (online)

Scheduling deadline

Calls received by 7:00 AM may receive same-day inspections.

Time windows

Inspections are generally by appointment. Engineering appointment times are typically 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and cancellations require at least 1 hour prior notice.

Typical inspection sequence: Applicants must pass required inspections before project finalization.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Applications with plan-check fees paid on or after January 1, 2026 are under the 2025 codes. Earlier vested applications may remain under the 2022 codes if vesting deadlines and plan check conditions are met.
• Building permit checklist
• Building codes and transition notes
• Campaign signs and sign exemptions
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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