Winters, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within City of Winters limits and not in unincorporated Yolo County.

Department

City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department)

Address

318 First Street, Winters, CA 95694

Phone

(530) 794-6708

Email

building.division@cityofwinters.org

Website

https://www.cityofwinters.org/224/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the permit requirement before starting work.
2. Contact or visit Building and Code Enforcement for pre-application guidance and to confirm required handouts and outside approvals.
3. Submit the permit application. Non-plan-check items may be issued over the counter.
4. Include required plan sets and supporting documents before permit issuance.
5. Pay the plan check fee at submittal and permit fees at permit issuance.
6. Request inspections through Building and Code Enforcement and complete corrections before recall inspections.

Typical processing time: Over-the-counter permits may be issued while you wait. Plan-check projects are listed as minor 5-10 working days and major 15-30 working days.

Source: City of Winters Building and Code Enforcement Division (Community Development Department)

General Requirements

Permits are required before starting buildings and most alterations, including new buildings, additions and remodels, patios, decks, fences over 6 feet, structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, roofs, pools and spas, re-pipes, re-roofs, and related improvements.

Required Documents

• Building permit application and project submission packet
• Residential plan sets: 3 sets plus 1 if fire review is required
• Commercial plan sets: 4 sets plus 1 if fire review is required
• Site plan
• Existing and proposed floor plans
• Elevations
• Sections
• Framing and roof plans
• Structural calculations
• Energy and fire suppression plans
• One 11 x 17 plan set
• Subcontractor list before final inspection

Permit validity

The city states that extensions must be approved before expiration and that a one-time additional six months may be granted.

Building code

Effective January 1, 2026, the city adopted enforcement of the 2025 California Building Code.

Owner-builder

A permit may be applied for by the parcel owner. If acting through another person, owner or contractor authorization and active workers' compensation proof may be required.

Contractor requirements

Unless the owner is acting as general contractor, contractors and subcontractors must have the proper California contractor license, workers' compensation insurance, and a current City of Winters business license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$156.91 for the first $500 of valuation

Plan check fee

69.5% of the building permit fee for single-family residential and 79.5% for other construction.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based with step tiers. Additional building fee components include 3% CARF and 11% Fire Department review and inspection.

Trade permit fee

Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical fees are included in the permit fee line item under the city's valuation-based schedule.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee appears as $164 per hour with a one-hour minimum in the city fire schedule section.

Payment note

Plan check fees are due at submittal and permit fees at issuance. The city accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card, with a credit card surcharge.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions 5 feet 9 inches high or less
• Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less
• One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less
• Walkways and driveways with specific non-intrusive constraints
• Temporary set and media stage structures and scenery
• Window awnings with projection of 54 inches or less and no extra support for qualifying occupancies
• Fences under 6 feet

Important: Many exempt items still require zoning, setback, or code-compliance review, and separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, encroachment, or fire permits may still be required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (530) 794-6708 (phone)

Inspection hours

Inspection requests are typically handled Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Counter contact hours are listed as 8:00 AM-12:30 PM and 1:30 PM-5:00 PM Monday through Friday, closed every other Friday.

Typical inspection sequence: After permit issuance, the city provides a job card with the inspection order. Request inspections in sequence, the inspector signs the job card after passing inspections, and an approved subcontractor list must be submitted before final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Effective January 1, 2026, the city adopted enforcement of the 2025 California Building Code.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Development Fees
• Permit Requirements FAQ
• Permit Requirements and Checklists
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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