Santa Maria, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Santa Maria permits apply within Santa Maria city limits.

Department

Building Division, Community Development Department

Address

110 S. Pine St. Room 101, Santa Maria, CA 93458

Phone

(805) 925-0951 ext. 2241

Email

cdbuildingcounter@cityofsantamaria.org

Website

https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/community-development/building-division-homepage

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Choose the correct permit type and start the application in eTRAKiT.
2. Submit plans and the required submittal set for plan review.
3. Pay permit, plan check, technology, inspection, and deposit fees before permit issuance as required.
4. Complete all required plan review routing, including Building, Fire, Planning, and Utilities where applicable.
5. Receive permit approval or permit card and schedule inspections through eTRAKiT.
6. Pay any reinspection, special inspection, or certificate of occupancy fees generated under the active fee schedule.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department

General Requirements

Building permits are required for construction, grading, striping, signage, and construction or alteration activities unless specifically exempted.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Plans and supporting sheets
• Site plan and scale drawings
• Valuation information
• Owner, contractor, and designer information
• Specialty documents such as calculations, energy forms, and accessibility materials where relevant

Permit validity

Permit validity is 365 days, with extension requests allowed for additional 180-day periods.

Building code

California Building Code 2025 Edition and California Residential Code 2025 Edition, with local additions and amendments

Owner-builder

Owner-occupied single-family exceptions exist for certain trade work under narrow limits in City code.

Contractor requirements

Permits are generally issued only to parties with a valid state contractor license and a valid City business license, except for narrow owner-occupied single-family allowances.

Fees

Plan check fee

Based on City code fee provisions and the current City User Fee Schedule, including special rules for duplicate and express review.

Permit fee formula

Valuation and size-based bracket tables for plan check and permit work, plus hourly specialist fees and minimum inspection charges.

Reinspection fee

Re-check and reinspection charges start with a first half-hour minimum and continue in additional half-hour increments.

Payment note

Permit, plan, scanning, technology, and inspection fees are paid through the City's current fee schedule and online systems.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings for tool, storage, or playhouse use that meet strict size, height, and location limits
• Wood, chain-link, and similar fence work up to 6 feet, with exceptions
• Retaining or garden walls up to 4 feet
• Limited work covered by CBC / CRC 105.2 style exemptions

Important: These are narrow technical exemptions. If work exceeds the listed thresholds for size, systems, setbacks, structure, location, or utility work, a permit is likely required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (online)
• (805) 925-0951 ext. 2502 (phone)
• (805) 925-0951 ext. 2241 (phone)

Inspection hours

Building Division counter typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; phone during normal hours 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Work must be completed to the required plan and code level for each phase, with approved stamped plans and the inspection card on site and required access and tests ready.

Additional Resources

• Building code: California Building Code 2025 Edition and California Residential Code 2025 Edition, with local additions and amendments
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Processing Home
• Building Plan Review
• Municipal Code Index
• Building Code Chapter
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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