Thousand Oaks, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Thousand Oaks municipal building permits for work within city limits.

Department

City of Thousand Oaks Building Division (Department of Community Development / Building)

Address

2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Phone

(805) 449-2320; before in-person visit call (805) 449-2500

Email

building@toaks.gov

Website

https://www.toaks.gov/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit type and applicable project standards using the City's common permit examples and handouts.
2. Prepare digital plans and required construction documents.
3. Upload the permit package through TO/24 or the Application Assistant.
4. Obtain and pay required permit application, plan review, and related fees.
5. City staff complete review and issue the permit once the application is complete.
6. Use TO/24 to schedule inspections and view estimated inspection windows.
7. Request final inspection and closeout or certificate of occupancy where applicable.

Typical processing time: No fixed permit processing-time SLA is published. Applications are processed as soon as possible when received during business hours.

Source: City of Thousand Oaks Building Division (Department of Community Development / Building)

General Requirements

No building, structure, service equipment, or grading work may be erected, altered, or removed unless an appropriate permit is first obtained.

Required Documents

• Written permit application with work description, property description, use or occupancy, valuation, and signature
• Construction documents and other information required by CBC Section 107
• Contractor license data or owner-builder declaration
• Workers' compensation coverage declaration where applicable

Permit validity

Permit applications expire after 180 days if no permit is issued unless acted on in good faith, with extensions possible up to 90 days. Issued permits expire if no work starts within 365 days, and if work starts, the permit expires 365 days after the last successful inspection. Unlawful-construction correction permits expire after 90 days, with a possible 90-day extension. Valid permits can be extended up to 180 additional days with fees.

Building code

The City has adopted the 2022 California Building Codes as amended and incorporated into the City code.

Owner-builder

Permits may be issued to qualifying owner-builders of single-family residences when the owner is a bona fide resident or owner and performs all work and supplies labor and materials. Owner-builder acknowledgment is required before permit issuance.

Contractor requirements

Permit applications for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits must be made by a properly licensed contractor or representative unless otherwise allowed by law.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Permit application: $55; permit issuance: $65; small SFR or duplex building base fee: $179 plus plan review

Plan check fee

Plan review fee is 85% of the building permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Single-family and duplex fees use square-foot bands, while commercial and multifamily fees use value-based tables with base amounts plus per-$1,000 increments. Technology fee is 0.03% of permit valuation.

Payment note

TO/24 supports online payment and the permit page states Visa and Mastercard are accepted. The City can request payment before permit issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet and up to 12 feet high with no mechanical, electrical, or plumbing requiring permits
• Fences up to 6 feet
• Retaining walls up to 4 feet subject to height and surcharge limits
• Roof repairs or replacement up to 100 square feet or same roof-type section per 12 months
• Detached decks up to 29 inches above grade
• Water tanks up to 5,000 gallons on grade
• Sidewalks and drives up to 30 inches above grade if not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tile, carpet, cabinetry, and countertops
• Temporary theatrical sets, non-service shade cloth structures, certain playground accessories, and movable fixtures up to 5 feet 9 inches
• Non-structural electrical exclusions such as small replacements, temporary lighting, cords, and low-voltage circuits in listed code classes

Important: Exemptions do not waive zoning, property, disability, safety, or other municipal requirements. Emergency plumbing, electrical, and mechanical repair permits must still be submitted by the next business day.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• TO/24 (online)
• (805) 449-2500 (phone)
• (805) 449-2320 (phone)

Inspection hours

Public counter: Monday 7:30 AM-3:00 PM, Tuesday 7:30 AM-5:00 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM-5:00 PM, Thursday 7:30 AM-5:00 PM, alternating Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Time windows

Estimated inspection windows are available in TO/24.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical flow is permit acceptance and issuance, construction inspections by phase, final inspection, and certificate of occupancy before occupancy where required.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City has adopted the 2022 California Building Codes as amended and incorporated into the City code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Handouts
• Permit Requirements and Exemptions
• Permit Application Requirements
• Permit Validity and Extension
• Combination Permit Application
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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