Sebastopol, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Sebastopol permits and inspections apply within city limits and do not extend beyond the city boundary.

Department

Building and Safety, City of Sebastopol

Address

7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Phone

707-823-8597

Email

building@cityofsebastopol.gov

Website

https://www.cityofsebastopol.gov/departments/building-safety/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Start in the city e-Permitting Public Portal and sign up or log in.
2. Prepare and upload a complete application package for the permit type.
3. Pay required permit fees before the application is considered submitted.
4. If the permit type requires hard-copy review, contact staff to schedule in-person intake.
5. If approved, pay any additional plan-check or deposit amounts required for issuance.
6. Contact Building and Safety for any missing documents or project-specific requirements before construction.

Source: Building and Safety, City of Sebastopol

General Requirements

City staff state that building permits are needed for virtually all types of construction.

Required Documents

• Completed Building Permit Application
• Project documents and all submittal requirements for the permit type
• All required fees paid before submission
• Supporting plans and specifications for code review
• Any professional plans or transmittal documents required by the project scope

Building code

City materials state adoption of the 2025 California Building Code and related California building, fire, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes through a local ordinance.

Owner-builder

No city-wide owner-builder rule is clearly stated on the public permit pages; applicants are directed to confirm with Building and Safety.

Contractor requirements

The city requires applicable contractor licensing for permit-related construction work in permit packets and related forms.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$92.89

Plan check fee

75% of permit fee, with additional phased and master-plan rules where applicable.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based and use step bands by valuation.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection, third and later, is $93. Missed inspection fee is $93.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation for unauthorized work is 2x the permit fee.

Payment note

Plan check fees are paid at permit application, and card payments include a 3% processing fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet, subject to height and zoning limits
• Fences not over 7 feet
• Minor interior finish work such as paint, paper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops, and similar work
• Certain walks, driveways, temporary stage or scenery work, and small accessory uses
• Certain minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing tasks listed in the city handout

Important: Exempt work does not waive zoning, structural, accessibility, or other code obligations. If work is not clearly exempt, a building permit is typically required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building permit portal (online)
• 707-823-8597 (phone)
• building@cityofsebastopol.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Building office hours are weekdays 7:00 AM-12:00 PM and 12:30 PM-5:30 PM, closed Fridays.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit is submitted and approved after review, then work inspections and final inspection occur before acceptance or occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City materials state adoption of the 2025 California Building Code and related California building, fire, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes through a local ordinance.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• City permitting portal
• Permit processing
• Planning department
• City code online
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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