Lompoc, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers properties within the incorporated City of Lompoc.

Department

Building and Safety Division

Address

100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93436

Phone

(805) 875-8220 / (805) 736-1261

Email

building@ci.lompoc.ca.us

Website

https://www.cityoflompoc.com/government/departments/building-safety-services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and any planning approvals first if the project has land-use or site-development implications.
2. Prepare a digital submittal package through the City's portal with the plans and supporting documents required for the scope.
3. Submit the permit application online through the EnerGov customer self-service portal.
4. Pay plan check fees at submittal when required.
5. Respond to correction comments and upload revised plans or documents if City review identifies deficiencies.
6. Obtain the permit before starting construction.
7. Schedule required inspections through the inspection request line and do not cover work until approval is given.

Source: Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

No building, structure, or regulated building service equipment may be erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, improved, removed, converted, or demolished without the appropriate permit first being obtained.

Required Documents

• Online permit application through the customer self-service portal
• Site plan for most residential and commercial submittals
• Scaled construction plans and supporting discipline sheets
• Title 24 energy forms where applicable
• Owner-builder acknowledgement form and ID if the permit is issued as owner-builder
• Specialized checklists and forms for demolition, grading, EV charging, solar, patio covers, wall details, and other project types as applicable

Permit validity

Issued permits become invalid unless work starts within 180 days after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Applications are deemed abandoned 365 days after filing if a permit has not been issued, subject to limited extensions.

Building code

2022 California Building Codes and 2022 California Fire Code took effect January 1, 2023; projects designed on or after January 1, 2026 must use the 2025 California Building Codes.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder permits require a signed owner-builder acknowledgement and ID verification.

Contractor requirements

California licensed contractors must list license numbers on permits and contracts. SolarAPP+ use also requires a City Business Tax Certificate and a valid state contractor license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Permit issuance: $92; building permit up to $2,000 valuation: $184

Plan check fee

Permit issuance with plan check: $551; building plan review up to $2,000 valuation: $200; higher valuation brackets scale upward and additional rechecks may be billed hourly.

Permit fee formula

$2,001 to $20,000 valuation: $184 plus $40 for each $1,000 over $2,000; $20,001 to $50,000: $904 plus $33 for each $1,000 over $20,000; $50,001 to $75,000: $1,894 plus $32 for each $1,000 over $50,000; $75,001 to $100,000: $2,694 plus $23 for each $1,000 over $75,000; $100,001 to $500,000: $3,269 plus $11 for each $1,000 over $100,000; $500,001 to $1,000,000: $7,669 plus $9 for each $1,000 over $500,000; $1,000,001 to $3,000,000: $12,169 plus $7 for each $1,000 over $1,000,000; over $3,000,000: $26,035 plus $4.50 for each $1,000 over $3,000,000.

Trade permit fee

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permit processing: $92; MEP permit categories A-F range from $77 to $505 depending on category.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection and other inspections not specified are billed at an hourly rate. Inspection of unpermitted work is also billed hourly.

Penalty (no permit)

Municipal code investigation fee for work started without a permit equals the amount of the permit fee, in addition to the permit fee.

Payment note

The City Fees page warns it may be a partial list and may not reflect recent fee changes. Separate impact fees may also apply.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective February 5, 2024 (amended March 8, 2024)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, if not over 120 square feet
• Wood fences not over 6 feet high, subject to zoning requirements and conditions
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
• Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
• Painting, papering, and similar work
• Window awnings on certain Group R-3 and Group M occupancies with limited projection
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies where walls are entirely above adjacent grade and capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Minor plumbing leak or stoppage repair work that does not require replacement or rearrangement of concealed piping, valves, or fixtures
• Portable appliances, same-type electrical replacements in place, temporary decorative lighting, limited repair or replacement of current-carrying parts and overcurrent devices, removal of wiring, and very-low-voltage equipment under stated thresholds
• Portable heating, cooling, and ventilation devices, certain replacement mechanical components that do not alter original approval, and unit refrigerating systems as defined in the Mechanical Code

Important: Exemption from a building permit does not authorize work that violates code or any other City ordinance. Zoning, planning, fire, and other requirements may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (805) 875-8231 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received before 7:00 AM are inspected the same day; requests after 7:00 AM are inspected the following work day.

Inspection hours

Building Division counter availability is by appointment Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Time windows

Inspectors are not available on weekends or holidays.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: grading, foundation, concrete slab or under-floor, frame, lath or wallboard, and final inspection. Approved stamped plans must be on site, and work cannot be covered before approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2022 California Building Codes and 2022 California Fire Code took effect January 1, 2023; projects designed on or after January 1, 2026 must use the 2025 California Building Codes.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Division Homepage
• Plan Review Page
• Online Forms and Construction Details
• City Fees
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Santa Barbara County