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Frequently Asked Questions
Applications and Permits
- How do I find out the status of my Design Review, Preservation or Building Permit application?
- What is the fee to file for a building permit or to submit plans?
- What is the turnaround time for the approval of a building permit?
- What does it mean when a building permit application is "on hold"?
- Where do I submit revisions to my building application?
- What time is building construction allowed? Can work be done on weekends?
- What is an excavation encroachment permit, and what are the minimum requirements?
- When do I need a transportation permit?
- What are driveway permits required for?
Plans and Maps
- Where do I submit plans for my project?
- What are the differences between, Parcel, Final and Master Parcel Maps?
- What is a lot merger or lot line adjustment?
Inspections and Certifications
- Who needs to be present at an inspection?
- Are after-hour inspections available?
- What is a special inspector?
- What are the most commonly requested inspections?
- What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
Development Applications, Subdivisions and Zoning
- What is a General Plan or Community Plan Amendment?
- How do I look up the zoning for my property?
- How do I change the zoning of my property?
- What are Special Permits?
- What are Variances?
- What is a Plan Review?
- How do I subdivide my property?
- What is a Planned Unit Development?
- What is an Inclusionary Housing Plan?
Environmental Planning
- How do I contact the EPS?
- What is the purpose of the EPS?
- What services are provided by EPS?
- What is the California Environmental Quality Act?
- What is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)?
- What is a Negative Declaration (Neg Dec)?
- What services are provided by the Toxics Program?
Design Review, Historic Preservation, and Urban Design
- How does a property become "historic"?
- What are the eligibility criteria for listing on the Sacramento Register?
Infill Development Assistance and Policy
New Growth and Annexations
Long Range Planning, General Plan and Community Planning
- What is Long Range Planning?
- What is a general plan or community plan?
- What is a Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan?
- What is a Climate Action Plan?
Application and Permit FAQs
To determine the status of your planning review please e-mail planning@cityofsacramento.org. To determine the status of your building review please e-mail ezpermit@cityofsacramento.org. A City staff member should respond to your e-mail within 24 hours. You may also contact us by dialing 311 inside City limits or (916) 264-5011 outside City limits.
The permit fee depends on the project valuation. Depending on the project, you may be required to pay fees to the Fire Department, Planning Division, Development Engineering, as well as to the Building Division. When an application is submitted, the Counter Technician will verify and determine which agencies will review your application and help you obtain an estimate of your fees.
The turnaround time for the approval of a building permit depends on the scope of the work. Permits for work not requiring plans are issued over-the-counter. Work requiring plans has to be routed to several Community Development Divisions and/or other City agencies (Fire, Utilities, and Transportation Departments) for review and approval. More...
Usually an application is put on hold when additional information is required by the plan checker reviewing your application. Additional information may consist of calculations and/or revised drawings.
To resubmit plans, please contact CDD and verify that all the disciplines have completed their reviews, and whether corrections are required. Then, obtain all correction lists and revise all plans. Residential applications require two copies of the revised plans. For commercial applications, submit one copy of the plans for each discpline that had changes (minimum two). Highlight or cloud any and all changes on every set of copies, even if that discipline has been approved. Resubmit with a response letter explaining all changes or lack there of. The plans should be resubmitted to the Permit Counter (300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor).
Building construction can occur during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, or the Building Official, may permit work to be done before or after these hours in the case of urgent necessity and in the interest of public health and welfare for a period not to exceed three days. Application for this exemption may be made in conjunction with the application for the work permit or during progress of the work, PRIOR to start of after hours work.
Excavation encroachment permits are permits that allow individuals to do minor construction work within the City right-of-way (i.e. small repairs of sidewalk, curb, or gutter, handicap ramp installation, or removal of driveways). More...
Transportation permits are required for travel within the City of Sacramento when a vehicle and/or vehicle load is larger than the following dimensions:
Width 8'6" Height 14' Length (single unit) 40' Length (combination unit) 65' A standard temporary permit or annual blanket permit can be issued. Please contact the Development Enginnering Division of the Department of Transportation at 916-808-8300 for more information.
Driveway Permits are required within the City of Sacramento when:
- A new driveway is being constructed in an area that has vertical curb
- A new driveway is being constructed in an area that has no curb
- An existing driveway is being removed and replaced
- A building permit is applied for and the existing driveway is not ADA-compliant
- A driveway is constructed within 10 feet of a property line
- A driveway is being built crossing over a parking strip/planting strip, between the gutter and sidewalk.
Plan and Map FAQs
You may submit your plans at the following location: 300 Richards Blvd., 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811. If submitting plans for an off-site projects (i.e. off-site utilities, sidewalks, etc.) please see Development Engineering. If submitting plans for an on-Site projects please see Planning. More...
A parcel map creates 4 or fewer parcels or 5 or more parcels if the subdivision complies with certian provisions of the Subdivision Map Act. A final map creates 5 or more lots, and a master parcel map subdivides large tracts of land into smaller parcels.
After a tentative map is approved by the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission or by City Council, Development Engineering the reviews the parcel map, final map or master parcel map in accordance with the Map Process Guidelines. More...
Lot merger is when 2 or more contiguous parcels under common ownership are combined into one parcel at the request of the property owner.
Lot Line Adjustment is for adjusting parcel lines of four (4) or fewer existing adjacent legal parcels under the same or different ownership, where land is taken from one parcel and is added to an adjacent parcel, and where a greater number of parcels other than originally existed is not thereby created.
A Lot Merger or Lot Line Adjustment must first be approved by the Zoning Administrator. After approval, a complete Certificate of Compliance package in accordance with the Certificate of Compliance Submittal Requirements shall be submitted to Development Engineering Division for review and recordation. More...
Inspections and Certificate FAQs
On small residential projects where the work can be inspected without entering the occupied portion of the house or garage, the inspections can be performed without the owner or contractor present (i.e. patios, decks, pools, and reroofs). Be sure to allow access and make sure that dogs or other animals are secured. If a ladder is required, have one available for the inspector to use. Also be sure to leave the permit and the approved plans on site for the inspector.
All other projects require an adult to be present during the inspection. This could be the property owner, licensed contractor, or an authorized agent. If the work is being done by a contractor, it is recommended that they be present during the inspection in order to consult with the inspector.
Yes. At least a 24 hour minimum notice is required. The charge is a minimum of $280.00 which includes the first two hours and $140.00 per hour or portion there of after that. All overtime inspections are assigned on a voluntary bases, so a longer lead time will help to arrange for an inspector. Contact (916) 808-5716.
In addition to the inspections provided by the City staff, the California Building Code mandates that the owner or the engineer or architect acting on behalf of the owner employ one or more special inspectors who shall provide inspections during construction on elements that are critical to the safety of the structure, such as the underground storage of hazardous materials. It is important to note that these special inspectors are not on the project in lieu of the regular City building inspector, but rather they are on the project in addition to the regular City building inspector. Only companies previously authorized by the City may perform special inspection services.
The following are typical inspection steps for an addition, remodel, or new residence. Other inspections may be required, depending on the type of permit.
Foundation Slab on Grade or Raised Floor- To be scheduled after all excavations for footings are complete, concrete forms and required reinforcing steel and hardware are in place, and any under floor plumbing and electrical is done and under test.
Girder and/or Under-Floor Inspection (raised floor only) To be scheduled after all under-floor framing, plumbing, HVAC, and wiring are complete and prior to the installation of the insulation.
Under-floor Insulation (raised floor only) To be scheduled after the floor insulation is installed but prior to installation of the sub-floor.
Shear and Roof-ply Nail To be scheduled after roof sheathing is complete, structural wall panels and any associated hardware are in place and windows are installed.
Framing (above floor) To be scheduled after all framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are in place and the building is weather tight with roof, lath, and/or siding in place. Lath to be approved prior to stucco application.
Insulation To be scheduled after insulation has been installed and prior to dry wall covering.
Final To be scheduled after the building is complete, finish grading is done and the structure is ready for occupancy.
The City issues a "Certificate of Occuapancy" once all aspects of the "Approved/ Issued Permit" have been completed. A "Temporary Certificate of Occupancy" may also be issued for a time period of 60 days or less, provided no Fire or Life Safety items are outstanding. Prior to issuance of the above, approvals must be obtained from ALL inspectors in all disciplines. Certificates of Occupancy or Compliance are not issued for Residential structures.
Development Applications, Subdivisions and Zoning
The General Plan and Community Plans describe long range goals and objects for the City as a whole and for specific communities. From time to time, an applicant will propose a change in land use to the General Plan or a Community Plan. These changes are called “General Plan Amendments” or "Community Plan Ammendments." More...
You can use the Building Permit Applicaiton Search tool to look up address and parcel details. Selecting the parcel number will provide you with zoning information.
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How do I change the zoning of my property?
The City Zoning Code may be amended to reclassify property from any zoning district provided that any such amendment is consistent with the General Plan. Zone change applications require action by the Planning Commission and the City Council. More...
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What are Special Permits?
A special permit is a zoning instrument used review certain land uses. The special permit process allows the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission to impose certain conditions on a project in order to avoid potential problems. More... -
What are Variances?
If a property owner feels that one or more zoning standards impose a unique hardship, the owner may request to be excused from strictly complying with that requirement. This request is called a variance. More...
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What is a Plan Review?
Projects located in Special Planning Districts and within certain overlay areas are required to go through the plan review process. The Plan Review process looks at site design and building design issues. More...
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How do I subdivide my property?
When an applicant seeks to subdivide property, the project is submitted to a map review. This is to ensure that the public infrastructure is maintained properly and can support the proposed development work. More...
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What is a Planned Unit Development?
Planned Unit Developments (PUD) encourage the design of well-planned facilities. The development and design guidelines that are adopted for each PUD provide for greater flexibility in the design of integrated developments than otherwise possible through strict application of zoning regulations. More...
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What is an Inclusionary Housing Plan?
An Inclusionary Housing Plan is a requirement of the Mixed Income Housing ordinance which requires that any new residential development of ten units or more include an affordable component. Developers subject to this ordinance should contact SHRA. More...
Environmental Planning FAQs
Our office is located at the 300 Richards Boulevard. We are available for public assistance during public counter hours, Monday through Friday. You can call (916) 264-5011 during our open hours.
Environmental Planning Services contains two sections. The first is the CEQA section, which is responsible for major analysis required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The second section is Toxics. This section addresses and coordinates the City's interests in the redevelopment/ development of properties that may be contaminated with toxic materials.
We review and/or prepare environmental documents for the City of Sacramento. We also can discuss environmental aspects of projects and supply public environmental documents that are available for review.
The basic goal of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Res. Code §21000 et seq.) is to develop and maintain a high-quality environment now and in the future, while the specific goals of CEQA are for California's public agencies to:
- identify the significant environmental effects of their actions; and, either
- avoid those significant environmental effects, where feasible; or
- mitigate those significant environmental effects, where feasible.
The purpose of an EIR is to provide State and local agencies and the general public with detailed information on the potentially significant environmental effects that a proposed project is likely to have and to list ways in which the significant environmental effects may be minimized and indicate alternatives to the project.
"Negative Declaration" means a written statement by the Lead Agency briefly describing the reasons that a proposed project, not exempt from CEQA, will not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore does not require the preparation of an EIR.
"Mitigated negative declaration" means a negative declaration prepared for a project when the initial study has identified potentially significant effects on the environment, but (1) revisions in the project plans or proposals would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effect on the environment would occur, and (2) there is no substantial evidence in light of the whole record before the public agency that the project, as revised, may have a significant effect on the environment.
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What services are provided by the Toxics Program?
- Provide City Departments with facts needed to make informed decisions regarding the purchase or acceptance of property, the current use and leasing of property, and the remediation of property prior to development.
- Administer and maintain the City wide list of toxics consultants and contractors.
- Manage environmental oversight authority which provides for a streamlined permitting process for development in the Southern Pacific Sacramento Railyards and ensures the health and safety of workers and residents during railyard clean up and development.
- Manage the Sacramento Brownfields Grant
For Toxic Program Inquiries, please contact: Lezley Buford at (916) 808-5935
Design Review, Historic Preservation, and Urban Design
It meets eligibility criteria and the City Council has adopted an ordinance to list it on the Sacramento Register.
To be eligible for listing in the Sacramento Register, the property must be at least 50 years old AND meet one or more of the following criteria:
- It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of the City, the region, the state or the nation.
- It is associated with the lives of persons significant in the City’s past.
- It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction.
- It represents the work of an important creative individual or master.
- It possesses high artistic values.
- It has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in the prehistory or history of the City, state or region.
- Additionally, overall issues related to integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and condition are also considered.
There are also additional eligibility criteria for designation of historic districts and contributing resources in historic districts.
Infill Development Assistance and Policy
Infill is defined in the Sacramento 2030 General Plan as “Development and redevelopment of underused buildings and vacant lots in areas served by existing infrastructure. Development that channels economic growth into existing urban and suburban areas and conserves open space and agriculture at the periphery of the city.”
Yes. The City works to make infill easier by revising its policies and regulations to streamline the development permit process, works to improve infrastructure in priority infill areas, and offers financial assistance to qualifying development projects. Contact Desmond Parrington, Infill Coordinator, 808-5044, dparrington@cityofsacramento.org for more information.
New Growth and Annexations
Through quality relationships with all stakeholders, the New Growth Section will direct new development consistent with the vision of the City, will finance and build the necessary infrastructure and community facilities, consistent with financing plans, and nurture community organizations.
Long Range, General Plan, and Community Planning
The Long-Range Planning Section plans for the future growth, development, and prosperity of Sacramento. Long-Range Planning works with local residents, neighborhood and business groups, developers, and other community stakeholders to help the City achieve its goal to become the most livable city in America. Long Range Planning is responsible for preparing and implementing the general plan and other land use plans and policy documents.
The General Plan and Community Plans describe long range goals and policies for the City as a whole and for specific communities. These plans are official policy statements of the City Council. Projects must comply with these plans in order to be approved.
A Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP) is an action-oriented document for helping residents and property owners improve their neighborhoods. A SNAP provides a list of steps for neighborhood participants to follow in order to achieve their desired outcomes. It identifies a neighborhood vision, neighborhood issues, and goals and action strategies for neighborhood enhancement. Implementation of the SNAP is the joint responsibility of neighborhood residents and owners, City staff, and in some cases, other relevant local agencies or non-governmental organizations.
A Climate Action Plan (CAP) will identify how the City and the broader community can reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The CAP will also identify steps we need to take to prepare for and adapt to climate change.
