Saratoga, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Saratoga.

Department

Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070

Phone

(408) 868-1290

Website

https://www.saratoga.ca.us/151/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a Public or Contractor account in eTRAKiT.
2. Prepare plans and supporting documents sufficient for plan review, including site/plot plan, foundation plan, floor plan, elevations, sections, Title 24 energy forms, structural calculations, and geotechnical/soil reports as applicable.
3. Submit the application and upload all required documents through eTRAKiT.
4. Pay plan review fees when invoiced. Hard-copy plan sets are not required before permit issuance.
5. Respond to correction comments and resubmit revised documents if needed.
6. Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

A permit is generally required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, per CBC Section 105.1.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Site/plot plan
• Foundation plan
• Floor plan
• Elevations
• Sections
• Title 24 energy forms
• Structural calculations (if applicable)
• Geotechnical/soil reports (if applicable)

Permit validity

Work must commence within 12 months after permit activation, and inspections must occur at least every 180 days to keep the permit active.

Building code

California Building Code

Owner-builder

Owner-builder work is allowed in some cases, but the owner-builder remains legally responsible for code compliance, safety, insurance, permitting, and inspections.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$90 (water heater replacement plumbing permit)

Plan check fee

Mechanical 26.6% of permit fee; electrical 26% of permit fee; plumbing 26.6% of permit fee

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based building permit fees plus plan check and other charges per the adopted fee schedule

Penalty (no permit)

2x permit fee for building without a permit

Payment note

3.4% service fee for Visa/MasterCard payments. $1.00 per square foot construction tax.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 5, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached sheds under 120 square feet with no utilities
• Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep
• Minor fence repairs, depending on height/location
• Platforms or decks under 30 inches high and/or smaller than 200 square feet

Important: The City phrases these as work that 'may be exempt.' Confirm with the Building Department before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Same-day inspections are not available. Inspections can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance.

Inspection hours

8:00 AM to noon or noon to 4:00 PM

Time windows

AM window: 8:00 AM to noon; PM window: noon to 4:00 PM. Daily windows posted after 7:30 AM on the day of inspection.

Typical inspection sequence: Common milestones for larger projects include foundation, slab/under-floor, frame, insulation, lath, sheetrock, and final inspections. Some smaller projects may require only a final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: California Building Code
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Plan Submittal Requirements
• Building Inspection Processes
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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