Scotts Valley, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Scotts Valley municipal permits.

Department

Building Department, City of Scotts Valley

Address

1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Phone

831-440-5600; 831-440-5630; 831-440-5641

Email

svbuildingdepartment@scottsvalley.gov , svbuild@scottsvalley.gov

Website

https://www.scottsvalley.gov/208/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Register or log in to the online permit portal.
2. Submit permit applications and all required plans and documents.
3. Pay permit and related fees online or by the city's other payment options.
4. Track application status and permit issuance in the portal.
5. Request inspections in the portal when work reaches inspection stages.
6. Confirm inspection requests within 24 to 48 hours.

Typical processing time: The city does not publish a fixed permit review SLA; inspection appointment confirmation is stated as 24 to 48 hours.

Source: Building Department, City of Scotts Valley

General Requirements

The city states that building applications should be submitted through the permit portal for work that changes structures or systems, including new construction, additions, remodels, and related trades.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plan submittals
• Cost documentation
• Grading, septic, or equipment forms when required
• Special inspection forms
• Minimum plan requirement materials
• Owner-builder Notice and Verification, Owner Declaration, Owner Agent Form, and Owner-Builder Handout when applicable

Permit validity

There is a 180-day plan-check activity limit from the application date, inspections must occur at least every 180 days after permit issuance, and one six-month extension may be requested in writing before expiration.

Building code

2025 California Building Codes are in effect as of January 1, 2026, with local municipal code adoption provisions referencing Title 24.

Owner-builder

The city allows owner-builder applicants and publishes owner-builder-specific paperwork.

Contractor requirements

The city allows either owner-builder work or licensed contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$828 minimum for Building Plan Check and Processing for new construction, additions, and remodels in the $1-$5,000 valuation band

Plan check fee

Included in the Building Plan Check and Processing schedule.

Permit fee formula

Major building plan check and processing fees are valuation-based with minimums and additional per-thousand increments, plus other city percentage and valuation-based charges.

Reinspection fee

$220 for other miscellaneous inspections and reinspections.

Payment note

Online portal credit card payments carry a 3% processing fee; paper or mailed check payment is also accepted.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY 2025-26).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences not over eight feet under the city's modified work-exempt-from-permit framework

Important: The city pages reviewed surfaced only a limited local exemption example. Confirm the current full exemption scope in the municipal code, especially the local modification of CBC Section 105.2.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Portal Dashboard (online)
• svbuild@scottsvalley.gov (email)
• 831-440-5641 (phone)

Inspection hours

The permit portal is available 24/7.

Typical inspection sequence: Portal workflow is log in, open the application, request the inspection, specify the inspection in notes, and use + New Appointment; the inspector may adjust the inspection type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Codes are in effect as of January 1, 2026, with local municipal code adoption provisions referencing Title 24.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning Design Regulations
• Building Department FAQ
• How to Schedule an Inspection
• Zoning Map
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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