In Citizen Access, the City's online permitting portal, there are nine (9) planning permit record types. Descriptions are provided below. If you need help determining which record types are required for your project, please contact Planning staff by email.

Home Occupation Permit (HOC): Required when a business is registered to a residential property.

Homeless Shelter Permit (HSP): Used by religious facilities to provide shelter for homeless individuals and families on a temporary basis, as an accessory use.

Master Sign Program (MSP): Used to evaluate the design of a coordinated signage scheme for multiple tenants or buildings. Common MSP signage projects include signage for gas stations, mixed-use buildings, and multi-tenant shopping centers. To apply for an individual Sign Permit, applicants should select “Apply for Permit” and then “Building.”

Outdoor Commercial Patio Permit: For restaurants to create outdoor dining areas on the public sidewalk.

Planning Project (PLN): Includes most design reviews, use permits, subdivisions, rezonings, and other entitlement applications. Common projects in this category include single-family home additions, new commercial uses, and new multi-family buildings. View a full list of Planning Project types.

Preliminary Review Procedure (PRP): Used to provide preliminary feedback from City staff on complex or large-scale development proposals. The types of projects that typically request a PRP are new multi-family buildings and commercial/industrial redevelopment projects.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Used to submit a TDM program, which is a requirement for some larger projects in order to reduce demand for vehicular travel and corresponding traffic congestion.

Zoning Verification Report: Used to identify zoning for a property and any code enforcement violations and provide a permit history for the property.

The City also offers Concurrent Review, which is the processing of both the design review request (a planning record) with the building permit request (a building record) for certain projects that fit within the Limited Design Review category. These Limited Design Review projects include new accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-story single-family home additions, and commercial/industrial site improvements. To request a Concurrent Review in Citizen Access, applicants should select “Apply for Permit” and then “Building.”

In Citizen Access, the City's online permitting portal, there are various building permit record types. Descriptions are provided below. If you need help determining which record types are required for your project, please contact Plans and Permits staff by email.

EXPRESS BUILDING PERMITS

Express permits can be applied for online through Citizen Access and are issued automatically. These types of permits/records are only for projects with a limited scope of work. For all other projects, applicants must apply for a building permit.

Reroof: For residential and commercial projects that involve the removal and replacement of more than 100 square feet of roofing material. The removal/replacement of photovoltaic solar systems is only allowed under this permit type for single family homes; all other projects require a building permit. Reroofing of an accessory structure with an area of 120 square feet or less does not require a building permit.

Residential Electrical: For residential projects that involve the repair, replacement, or installation of a main service electrical panel, electrical subpanel, electrical fixture, electrical receptacle, including a type I and II electric vehicle charging receptacle, or manual pull station. This permit is also for the installation of a temporary power pole. Not applicable for solar panels or battery storage power walls.

Residential HVAC: For residential projects that involve the installation or same location replacement of a furnace, wall heater, A/C system, mini-duct split system, or the removal and replacement of a duct or vent. Not applicable for new construction or commercial projects.

Residential Kitchen and Bath Remodel, Like for Like: For residential kitchen and/or bathroom remodel projects that do not involve the removal or alteration of any walls.

Residential Plumbing: For residential projects that involve the repair, alteration, or replacement of an existing water heater (tank, tankless, or heat pump), gas line, or water and waste line in the same location. The City permits sewer lines/cleanouts up to two feet from the building’s footprint. All other sewer line cleanout/replacement is permitted by the Union Sanitary District. Not applicable for projects that involve sewer line relocation or the addition of sewer lines for increased demand.

Residential Window Replacement: For residential window replacement projects that do not involve the removal or alteration of any framing.

FIRE PERMITS

Fire AFES (Automatic Fire Extinguishing System): For the repair, replacement, or installation of automatic fire sprinklers. Typically, fire sprinkler systems must be designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standards.

Fire Alarm: For the repair, replacement, or installation of fire alarm systems, large family daycare alarm systems, or sprinkler monitoring systems.

Fire Code (Operational and Annual): For Assembly Permits; High Pile Combustible Storage; Compressed Gases; Industrial Ovens; Liquified Petroleum Gas; Spray Booths; Temporary Structures; Emergency Responder Communication Coverage Systems (ERCCS); and other applicable permits. A separate building permit may be required as part of this permit.

BUILDING PERMITS

Building Permit (General): For residential alterations and/or repairs, pool/spa installs, additions to both residential and commercial buildings, demolition of structures, and the construction of new residential and/or commercial buildings. Also for the change in occupancy type, use, or hazards of a building.

Temporary Structures: For all structures weighing over 400 pounds and temporary tent structures that will be installed on a property for not more than 90 days. Temporary tent structures are defined as a structure, enclosure, or shelter with or without sidewalls or drops that is constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects.

Alternative Method and/or Material Request (AMMR): AMMRs can only be applied as an amendment to a building permit.

Revision: A revision is defined as a change to an approved plan after it has been issued. A revision record can only be applied through an existing building permit as an amendment to that record.

SOLAR PERMIT

Photovoltaic Solar Panels: For the installation of solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels). If the installation includes an electrical main panel upgrade/replacement, an electric vehicle charging unit, and/or an energy storage backup system, the applicant can add them to this record. If an applicant is installing an electric vehicle charging unit or an energy storage backup system on its own, they must apply for a building permit.

Instant Solar Permit: For new residential rooftop solar and storage systems, the City is offering Instant Solar Permits. For more information and to apply, visit the webpage.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS

Electric Vehicle Chargers: A separate building permit is required for the installation of electrical vehicle charging stations. Electrical load calculations for the main service panel are required.

TEMPORARY PERMITS

Temporary Construction Trailers: For the installation of all temporary construction trailers. Typical construction trailer permits are valid for a period of 6 months.

Seasonal Lots: For all seasonal sale lots which are not an integral part of an existing retail establishment.

Temporary Signs and Banners: For the installation of temporary signs and/or promotional banners for a duration of 15 days.

Special Events: For organized activities that 1) take place on private property and require a temporary ABC license; tent/canopy/stage/temporary structure permit; use vendors; or fall outside the generally intended use of the property, 2) take place on or have impact on City property, public facilities, sidewalks, medians, or street areas, or 3) take place in a City park, plaza, or community center.

Subdivision Temporary Signage: For the installation of on-site construction or sales office signage.

Visit the Engineering Permits webpage for information.

In Citizen Access, the City's online permitting portal, there are various fire permit record types. Descriptions are provided below. If you need help determining which record types are required for your project, please contact Plans and Permits staff by email. 

Fire Alarm: For the repair, replacement, or installation of fire alarm systems, large family daycare alarm systems, or sprinkler monitoring systems.

Fire Code (Operational and Annual): For Assembly Permits; High Pile Combustible Storage; Compressed Gases; Industrial Ovens; Liquified Petroleum Gas; Spray Booths; Temporary Structures; Emergency Responder Communication Coverage Systems (ERCCS); and other applicable permits. A separate building permit may be required as part of this permit.