Yolo County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

County permit requirements apply to work on buildings and systems regulated by the Yolo County Building Standards Code in the unincorporated area of Yolo County. If the parcel is in an incorporated city, confirm with that city's building department.

Department

Yolo County Building Division (Building Inspection Services), Department of Community Services

Address

292 West Beamer Street, Woodland, CA 95695

Phone

(530) 666-8037; (530) 666-8150

Email

building.division@yolocounty.gov

Website

https://www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/community-services/building-inspection-services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project triggers a permit for construction, alteration, repair, occupancy change, or new systems under the county building standards.
2. Complete the Application for Building Permit and identify whether the project is over the counter, rapid review, or full review.
3. Prepare required submittal materials, including plans, specifications, calculations, site plans, checklists, and agency forms.
4. Submit the package in person, by mail with paper and digital files, or through the online portal.
5. Pay fees and address plan-review comments.
6. Track permit status after review and schedule inspections at each required stage before proceeding.

Typical processing time: No single turnaround target is posted. County process materials ask applicants to respond to review comments within about 6 weeks.

Source: Yolo County Building Division (Building Inspection Services), Department of Community Services

General Requirements

Any owner or authorized agent doing construction, alteration, removal, occupancy change, or regulated building-system work must apply to the building official first. Additional grading, flood-hazard, planning, or zoning permits may also apply.

Required Documents

• Completed Application for Building Permit
• Permit type documentation for over-the-counter, rapid review, or full review submittals
• Location plan except for limited minor cases
• Plan sets in paper and PDF with signed plans and required supporting documents
• Air District form
• Land Use Review Survey
• Fire District fee form
• C and D plan review form
• School, service district, or agency fee materials
• Owner-Builder form when applicable

Permit validity

Permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 days or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.

Building code

Yolo County Building Standards Code with California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and Energy code references.

Owner-builder

The permit form supports owner-builder submissions and links an Owner-Builder form. County code also allows owner construction and repair under specific conditions for system work.

Contractor requirements

The application captures contractor and CSLB license information, and plans or design work often require a registered design professional signature or stamp.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$149 minimum appears for reinstating an expired permit within one year, but the county does not publish a single universal minimum building permit fee across all permit classes.

Plan check fee

The master schedule includes plan-check percentages for some categories, such as 65% of the building permit fee for certain residential permits.

Permit fee formula

Fees use valuation-based charges, flat fees for common permit types, and hourly staff rates where needed.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is listed in the master fee schedule with a 1.5-hour minimum and examples around $145 in the fee table extract.

Penalty (no permit)

Expired permits may require reapplication or reinstatement at half fees with a $149 minimum when requested within the allowed window.

Payment note

Fee consistency and collection are handled through county systems, and many fees auto-populate in Clariti for final verification.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Exemptions are tied to code sections including CRC 105.2, CBC 105.2, and Yolo County Code 7-1.04
• Electrical exemptions under CEC 89.101.3.3
• Mechanical exemptions under CMC 104.2
• Plumbing exemptions under CPC 104.2
• Flood and small-grading exceptions under CBC Appendix J section J103.2
• Examples of small permit-type items with lighter documentation include electrical service replacement, HVAC replacement, sewer line replacement, water heater replacement, and reroof or stucco-siding replacement subject to conditions

Important: Work may still require permits because of use or occupancy changes, grading or disturbance, flood hazard, or other agency-specific approvals. Always verify any exemption against the linked code sections.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (530) 666-8037 (phone)
• building.division@yolocounty.gov (email)
• Building Division counter (in_person)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be submitted by 2:00 PM the day before the inspection.

Inspection hours

Permit office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit and inspection card must be available before each phase. No work may proceed beyond the current approved inspection stage, and related rough inspections may be combined when possible.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Yolo County Building Standards Code with California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and Energy code references.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning Division Services
• Forms
• Permit Services
• Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement