Davis, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Davis permits apply within Davis city limits; properties outside city limits in unincorporated Yolo County are handled by Yolo County Building Inspection Services at 292 West Beamer Street, Woodland, CA 95695.

Department

City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability

Address

23 Russell Boulevard, Suite 2, Davis, CA 95616

Phone

(530) 757-5610

Email

cddweb@cityofdavis.org , onlinepermits@cityofdavis.org

Website

https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/community-development-and-sustainability/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine the correct permit type and pull the required forms and checklists from the Building Division forms page.
2. Submit the permit application and required documents through the city portal, or email plans and application materials to onlinepermits@cityofdavis.org when allowed for the permit type.
3. Include all required drawings and documents, such as plans, plot plans, energy documents, and owner-builder materials if applicable.
4. Building Division staff reviews the submission and requests any additional information needed for issuance.
5. Pay fees after staff review. Projects under the posted threshold may be paid through the city payment center when directed.
6. Receive the permit number and schedule required inspections by portal, phone, text, or email.

Typical processing time: Current online processing time is listed as 5-10 business days upon submittal.

Source: City of Davis Building Division, Community Development and Sustainability

General Requirements

Owners or authorized agents must apply before construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, demolition, occupancy change, and regulated mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or gas work.

Required Documents

• Residential permit application or commercial equivalent
• 2 plot plans
• 2 sets of complete construction plans plus 1 additional floor plan
• 2 sets of construction documents and calculations as applicable
• 2 Title 24 energy compliance sets
• Owner-builder verification if acting as general contractor
• Electrical load calculation for homes 2,000 square feet or larger
• Elevation certificate for flood zones outside Zone C
• CALGreen and Universal Design checklists where applicable

Building code

City references Title 24 and requires Title 24 and CALGreen compliance on permits.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder permits are limited to principal residences and require owner-builder authorization and ID verification. The owner assumes legal and financial responsibility and cannot claim the contractor-license exception for more than two structures in three years.

Contractor requirements

Licensed contractors are required by California law to be licensed and bonded, and permit and contractor license numbers must appear on permits and contracts.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$80.59 for basic single-trade work in the $0-$2,000 valuation band

Plan check fee

65% of the basic permit fee for initial plan review; additional plan review has a minimum one-half hour charge.

Permit fee formula

Basic trades are valuation-based with tiered increments by valuation band. Over $25,000, the schedule provides formulas for permit categories using a base amount plus 0.0080 times valuation over $10,000.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection minimum one-hour charge; holiday or after-hours inspections are charged at a minimum two-hour window.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigative fee and other penalty-related items are listed in the fee schedule for work started without a permit.

Payment note

Cards are accepted for permit fees after permit processing through the city payment center. Checks are accepted by mail or drop-off.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, such as tool sheds and playhouses
• Fences 7 feet high or less
• Retaining walls 4 feet high or less unless supporting a surcharge
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Small prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
• Limited decks meeting the city's exempt conditions
• Certain minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing replacements listed in the city's required-permits checklist
• Interior finish work such as paint, paper, tile, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops

Important: External changes for designated historical resources may still need planning review, and even exempt categories may trigger other permit, planning, environmental, or utility reviews.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Click2GovBP portal (online)
• (530) 757-5658 (phone)
• (844) 304-4064 (text)
• cddweb@cityofdavis.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be placed by 3:30 PM the business day prior.

Inspection hours

Inspection hours are 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-3:30 PM; office counter hours are 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Request inspection when covered work is ready. Approved plans must be on site, the address must be posted, and corrections must be cleared before final approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City references Title 24 and requires Title 24 and CALGreen compliance on permits.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Required Permits and Exemptions
• Permit Application and Checklist Forms
• Building Inspection Process
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Yolo County