Ojai, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

These requirements apply within Ojai city limits.

Department

Building and Safety Division, Community Development, City of Ojai

Address

401 South Ventura Street, Ojai, CA 93023

Phone

805-646-5581

Website

https://ojai.ca.gov/283/Building-and-Safety-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Call or visit City Hall and set up an in-person appointment with a Building and Planning Technician to present a complete application package for concurrent zoning and building review when required.
2. Submit a complete application and supporting documents, including the signed application, plans, fees, and related forms.
3. Pay required permit and review fees based on the current Council-adopted fee schedule.
4. If the application is incomplete, the Building Official issues a correction notice and the corrected package is reviewed for approval.
5. Complete final review, inspections, final inspection or certificate of occupancy, and utility connection clearance.
6. Submit updated permit application materials for revisions or additional work where applicable.

Typical processing time: No citywide published standard processing time was found for regular building permits. Building & Safety documents confirm expedited review for small rooftop solar, but not a general permit timeline.

Source: Building and Safety Division, Community Development, City of Ojai

General Requirements

City fee categories and permit workflow indicate permits are used for new construction, additions, tenant improvements, residential remodels, and combined mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application with project description, owner and occupancy information, drawings, and valuation fields
• Site and plan set requirements including plot plan and project plans with title block, parcel number, and setback information
• Owner or representative authorization and signatures where applicable
• Zoning clearance application when zoning review is required
• Other required permits or clearances such as tree, utility, drainage, or inspection forms as applicable

Permit validity

Building permits expire at 180 days and may be extended per City code. The permit holder must request an extension before expiration, with extensions tied to progress milestones.

Building code

City of Ojai Building Code, Title 9, adopting and amending California building-related codes.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder processing is allowed under conditions. Owner-builder acknowledgment and verification is required, including license, employee-status declarations, and liability notices.

Contractor requirements

Owners and owner-hired contractors must comply with Contractor State License Law, and City business-license rules require current licenses for general contractors and subcontractors. Subcontractors should be listed before permit processing and final inspection.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No single universal minimum is stated. The published table includes a $103 permit issuance fee for applicable permit classes.

Plan check fee

Included in the permit and plan-review fee structure in the Building & Safety tables.

Permit fee formula

Permit valuation appears based on occupancy-group and building-type tables, valuation tables, fee-per-square-foot thresholds, and percentage add-ons for combined systems.

Reinspection fee

$155 per inspection for missed or excess re-inspection

Penalty (no permit)

Penalty for work without a permit or beyond permit scope is 100% of the permit fee, or 2x fees as referenced in City form language, or staff time, whichever is greater.

Payment note

Fees are paid to the City, and supplemental review agency fees can apply in addition to base permit fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building and Safety Division, Community Development, City of Ojai to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 24-hour inspection request line: 805-653-2238 (phone)
• Window scheduling: 805-646-5581 ext 112 (phone)

Inspection hours

Inspections conducted Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; no Friday inspections

Typical inspection sequence: Typical process is permit issuance and staged plan review, work between required inspection milestones, final inspection before occupancy approval, and utility connection clearance after final approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City of Ojai Building Code, Title 9, adopting and amending California building-related codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Municipal Code
• Building Regulations Code (Title 9)
• Design Review Context
• Public Works Permits
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Ventura County