Vallejo, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Vallejo city limits. Solano County handles only unincorporated county areas.

Department

City of Vallejo Planning & Development Services, Building Division

Address

555 Santa Clara Street, Second Floor, Vallejo, CA 94590

Phone

(707) 648-4522

Email

building.division@cityofvallejo.net

Website

https://www.cityofvallejo.net/our_city/departments_divisions/planning_development_services/building_division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create or log into an eTRAKiT account through Vallejo's Central Permit Center.
2. Complete the permit application and submit plans, specifications, Title 24 energy calculations, engineering calculations, and other required project documents.
3. Pay plan check fees at submittal.
4. Building and Planning review the application for code and zoning compliance.
5. Revise and resubmit if corrections are issued.
6. After approvals and fee payment, the permit is issued.
7. Schedule required inspections through eTRAKiT, the IVR system, or the Building Division.

Typical processing time: Many simple projects can be reviewed at the counter, while other projects may require up to three weeks for review.

Source: City of Vallejo Planning & Development Services, Building Division

General Requirements

Most new construction, remodeling, repairs, and most electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and insulation installations, repairs, and replacements require permits.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Description of work and legal project address
• Owner name and telephone number
• Applicant name, address, telephone number, and signature
• Contractor, architect, or engineer name, license number, address, and telephone number when applicable
• Owner-Builder Declaration or California Licensed Contractor Declaration
• Workers Compensation Declaration
• Construction valuation including labor and materials
• Plans when required, including plot plan, floor plan, elevations, structural plans, Title 24 documents, MEP information, CalGreen items, and ADA information when applicable

Permit validity

Public Vallejo pages are not fully aligned. One FAQ states plan checks are valid for 6 months from approval and permits are valid for 6 months from issuance or last approved inspection, with a one-time 6-month extension. A 2025 code adoption Q&A states applications not issued within 180 days expire unless extended and permits issued under the 2022 code expire if work is not started within 365 days or is suspended for 365 days, with 180-day extensions available.

Building code

2025 California Building Standards Code for permits applied for on or after January 1, 2026

Owner-builder

Homeowners may apply, but Vallejo requires an owner-builder form or declaration.

Contractor requirements

If the owner is not filing as owner-builder, Vallejo directs applicants to have a California licensed contractor obtain the permit. Contractor license information is required in the application package and contractor eTRAKiT setup.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$253.09 total for $1-$2,000 valuation permits under Table 1A in the FY 2025-26 fee schedule

Plan check fee

Plan check fees are paid at submittal. Published notes also list Life Safety Plan Review at 70%, Title 24 Energy Plan Review at 10%, Disabled Access Plan Review at 15%, and CalGreen Plan Review at 10%.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based and use valuation bands, with listed surcharges and issuance charges added.

Trade permit fee

Mechanical permit fee is 25% of the building permit fee, electrical is 20%, and plumbing is 30%.

Reinspection fee

$204.48 for missed or non-canceled inspections

Payment note

eTRAKiT is used to apply for permits and pay fees. The city notes the permit issuance fee does not apply to permits issued online without staff assistance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not over 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons within code ratio limits
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and playground equipment
• Window awnings within code limits
• Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
• Some minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work
• Commercial permit exemptions that generally track CBC 105.2 categories

Important: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates other laws or ordinances, and planning approval may still be required for items such as taller fences or some public-way conditions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (online)
• (707) 648-4384 (phone)
• (707) 648-4522 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Online inspection requests must be made no later than 3:00 PM the evening before the requested date. The city recommends scheduling at least 3 business days in advance.

Time windows

Requested windows are AM: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM or PM: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM, but the city does not guarantee the requested window.

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections occur at various construction stages, work must not be covered before inspection, and approved plans with the permit card must be available on site. Final approval is issued when construction is complete and code compliance is verified.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Standards Code for permits applied for on or after January 1, 2026
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Plan Check Submittal Checklists
• Fee Schedule
• 2025 Code Adoption Q&A
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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