The Building Division ensures that all new construction and improvements to city or privately owned property conform to requirements of state and city codes, including disabled access requirements, and energy and water conservation. Promote preservation and conservation of existing housing stock and energy through the Resale program and the Code Enforcement program.

• Public Information
• Permit Processing / Inspections / Issuance
• Plan Checking
• Resale Program
• Code Enforcement
• Enforce City/State Codes and Regulations
• Sustainability and Green Building Initiatives

PERMIT GUIDELINES FOR ONLINE SUBMITTALS

The Building Division will process and issue all types of permits. Any type of project may submit for plan review electronically. When the plans are submitted electronically the Building Division will either send the project out for plan review or do the plan review in house.

We are currently offering online electronic submittals for minor mechanical and plumbing permits for example furnace, air conditioning (or both), sewer line, siding, water heater, ceiling fans and whole house fans. Please visit our website here: Minor Permit Application Online Submittal Portal and select Submit Application. For more information and instruction with our online program see the application help doc.

To submit for a building permit via email, first you must download a copy of the permit application you are applying for (whether commercial or residential). Once completed, please email your application and supporting documents to OnlinePermits@cityofdavis.org. Based on the application type, the applicant will be contacted with further instructions. This will be in regards to permit and plan review fees, necessary supplemental documents, turn-around times and processing of the application. When informed of the permit and plan review fees, and if it does not exceed $1000.00, you can pay online at Online Payment Center, and click on Select Permit to make your payment with a credit or debit card. Please note that you will need your building permit number to use the online payment center, which you will receive once the permit is processed. We also accept checks made payable to City of Davis. You can mail or place the check in the City of Davis drop box located in the U-turn of the parking lot at City Hall Offices on Russell Blvd.

Once we receive your permit application, it will be placed in the order it was received, then reviewed and processed accordingly. Our current processing time for online permit applications is 5-10 business days upon submittal. As an owner, you can apply for a permit. Please submit the type of permit (whether commercial or residential), along with the Owner Builder Form Information provided below in our Permit Forms and Applications section.

PERMIT FORMS & APPLICATIONS

The City of Davis will accept Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms self-certification forms until further notice. Along with this, the City has fillable application forms, below, that are accessible to the public.

• Commercial Building Permit Application (PDF Fillable Form)

• Instructions to Pay Building Permit Fees Online or go straight to the Online Building Permit Payments page

• Minor Permit Application Online Submittal Portal

• Owner Builder Information (PDF Fillable Form)

• Resale Inspection Application (PDF Fillable Form)

• Residential Building Permit Application (PDF Fillable Form)

• Self Certification Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (PDF Fillable Form)

OTHER BUILDING INFORMATION:

Checklists for electrical charging systems:

• Residential EV Charging Checklist
• Residential Building Permit Application
• Commercial EV Charging Checklist
• Commercial Building Permit

Please note that the Code Investigation Request form has been moved to the Police Department web site Code Enforcement.

For other frequently asked questions, click here. For building division forms, please click here.