Building Safety, Inspection and Permits

Building Safety, Inspection and Permits

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Access Building Permit Information

Use the Permit Lookup Tool

Data is updated daily, Tuesday through Saturday.

Open lookup tool in a new window

A location may contain more than one permit. These are grouped together on the map labeled with the number of permits issued. The number will change dynamically depending on the map zoom level.

Click the circles on the map to view permits or use the "Find Permits" panel (strongly recommended).

Access the user guide for help

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Need Copies of Building Plans?

After using the permit lookup tool, if you still need copies of permit documents or construction plans submit a public records request. Keep reading to learn how.

Copies of building plans can take up to 60 days because the plans are copyrighted by the professional who made them.

  1. Submit your request to City Hall
  2. The City will notify you within 10 days if we have the records or if additional time is needed to locate them.
  3. Visit City Hall within 14 Days

    You'll need to view the plans in person. Taking photos is not allowed.

    Considering a remodel? We encourage you to bring your contractor so they can help you interpret the plans.

Often, viewing plans in person provides the information most people need such as load-bearing walls, location of an electrical panel and more.

Request Copies of Building Plans

  1. Sign an Affidavit for Duplication
  2. City staff will send it via certified mail to all professionals whose stamp appears on the plans to ask for permission to duplicate them (yes! even for digital copies)
  3. The professionals will have 30 days from when the affidavit is mailed to approve or deny your request.
  4. Once we receive the returned affidavit, you’ll be notified, typically by email, whether permission has been granted.
  5. If permission is granted: An electronic version of the plans will be provided via a link in an email.

    If permission is not granted: You can re-visit City Hall to view the plans in person, photos are not allowed but you can make notes.

Updates and News

July 1, 2024 Fee Update

The City of Elk Grove’s Transportation Mitigation Measure A Development Impact Fee and the I-5 Subregional Corridor Mitigation Fee will have adjustments effective July 1, 2024

January 1, 2024 Fee Update

The City of Elk Grove’s development impact fees listed will increase January 1, 2024:

  • Capital Facilities
  • Affordable Housing Roadway
  • Active Transportation
  • Fire
  • Stonelake Parks
  • East Franklin Parks
  • Laguna Ridge Parks
  • SEPA Parks and Trails
  • SEPA Recycled Water
  • SEPA Drainage
  • SEPA Cost Recovery
  • Swainson’s Hawk
  • Laguna Ridge Specific Plan Supplemental Parks
  • Eastern Elk Grove Parks
January 1, 2023 California Building Standards Codes Summary Of Changes
Important Notice Regarding 2022 California Building Code (CBC) 2022 California Residential Code (CRC)

If you are an Architect, Engineer, Designer or Contractor that performs work within the Elk Grove City limits, please be advised that new California Codes will take effect on January 1, 2023.

The new 2022 California Building Code (CBC) and the new 2022 California Residential Code (CRC) is based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code as amended by the California Building Code Commission.

Additional new codes to be adopted are the 2022 California Administrative Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code (CMC), 2022 California Electrical Code (CEC), 2022 California Plumbing Code (CPC), 2022 California Energy Code, 2022 California Existing Building Code, 2022 California Historical Code, 2022 California Fire Code and 2022 California Green Code.

All plan review applications submitted after December 31, 2022 will be required to comply with the new codes. Applications that are submitted under the 2019 code cycle up until December 31st will need to have an issued permit within 6 months of the application date. If the permits applied for are not issued in that 6-month time period, the permit application will expire, and the permit will need be re-applied under the 2022 codes adopted.

Disabled Access Public Information Notice

For permits regarding all public accommodations and commercial entities, please take note:

CA. Gov. Code Section 65941.6. (a) Each local agency shall develop materials relating to the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The local agency shall provide these materials to an applicant along with notice that approval of a permit does not signify that the applicant has complied with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Approval of this permit does not indicate that you are in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or with all California statutes regarding accessibility. Plan check examination and project design is performed according to the requirements of the California Building Standards contained in the California Code of Regulations Title 24 (California Building Codes). Compliance with the Building Codes does not guarantee that you are aligned with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California Unruh Act, or any other civil rights legislations regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities. You may be required to perform additional upgrades and or offer alternative methods of compliance in order to meet your State and Federal obligations.

Information published by the U.S. Department of Justice that outlines the ongoing barrier removal requirements for “existing buildings” and offers suggestions on possible solutions for dealing with existing barriers can be found at the following web addresses:

http://www.ada.gov/https://www.ada.gov/smbustxt.htm

Please note that contrary to popular myth, no building is “grandfathered” under federal law. All existing buildings have an ongoing obligation to remove barriers whenever readily achievable and to offer alternate methods of offering goods and services when barriers cannot be removed.

In this regard, we will require that the design professional forward this information to the owner or tenant of the public accommodation or commercial entity addressed in this permit

Important Notice Regarding the 2022 California Building Code

If you are an Architect, Engineer, Designer or Contractor that performs work within the State of California, please be advised that a new building code will take effect on January 1, 2023.

Over the Counter Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program

An Accessory Dwelling Unit or (ADU), is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary single family or multifamily unit(s) as defined in the Health and Safety Code. 

The Over the Counter Accessory Dwelling Unit Program was established to assist customers with an expedited permit process for an ADU. Only a few city's across the state have established a rapid over the counter process for ADUs. Please see the attached policy and guide for additional information. 

Over the Counter Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy

Permits = Safety

Remodeling or building a new home? Learn about the benefits of having an energy efficient home

There’s a very simple reason why building permits are required for construction – it’s all about safety. Building codes help ensure that the structures in which we live, work and play meet standards against collapse, fire and other potential dangers. If structures aren’t up to code, insurance companies may not pay on damage claims, and property owners could be liable if someone is injured.

If you’re starting a construction or remodeling project, make sure to find out if a building permit is required. You’ll need to pay the required fees, submit plans and have inspections performed during construction. That way, you’ll know your project is safe.

But what if you’ve acquired a property where work was performed without a permit, or you’ve done work yourself without a permit? You’ll need to apply for a building permit, pay an investigative fee and other required fees. If certain aspects of the construction can’t be readily seen, you may be required to arrange an inspection by a licensed California engineer or architect. It’s likely that at some point in the future, someone will want proof that your building complies with local building codes, so there’s no time like the present to take action.

For further information, visit the Elk Grove Building Safety and Inspection Services staff at 8401 Laguna Palms Way, or on the website at www.elkgrovecity.org/building-permits, or call 478-2235.

Why Do you need a permit?

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions from homeowners and even some contractors – and it’s a question that’s easily answered. If you want to protect your home and your family, your biggest investment and your piece of mind, get a building permit before doing any construction around the house.

  • Your home is your biggest investment. It’s also an investment in your family’s comfort, safety and well being. Construction mistakes can be exasperating, extremely costly, and in some cases even deadly.
  • A building permit ensures that a certified inspector will examine the project to determine if the work is done safely and according to code. This also allows you to ask questions from an un-biased expert. For do-it-yourselfers who don’t do installations or construction work every day, this is particularly valuable. Incorrect building or remodeling can cause house fires, flood damage and structural problems.
  • Think safety. Think value.
  • Permit inspections are an essential component to a successful construction project and for maintaining your home’s integrity. Cutting corners puts the value of your home and the safety of your family at risk.
  • Prevent mistakes. Preserve your investment.
  • Inspections should be viewed as a help, not a hindrance. Not only do inspections reveal minor problems that could lead to costly repairs later, they also uncover liability and life threatening issues like structural weakness, dangerous wiring or defective plumbing.
  • When selling your home, you are required by California law to fully disclose all remodeling work and whether or not permits were obtained. With permits and inspections, you can expect a smoother closing process free of last minute hassles, inspections and repair work if the home isn’t up to code.

Safety / Building Codes

Is your building up to code? Check out the 2022 Building Code for the latest on safety standards and structure requirements.

Permit Streamlining

The City of Elk Grove now offers a Tenant Improvement Expedited Plan Review Program or T.I.E.R. 

The T.I.E.R. Program is designed to provide applicants with an "expedited plan review" process for Tenant Improvements in existing commercial buildings. This program allows applicants to submit minor tenant improvement plans to the City of Elk Grove's Building, Planning, and Fire Departments for the purpose of providing an expedited plan review on simple tenant improvements of a Business (B) or Mercantile (M) occupancy with a floor area of 5,000 square feet or less to obtain a permit quickly. 

T.I.E.R. Program

The City of Elk Grove is committed to develop and implement customer service improvements with the ultimate goal of enhanced customer service and providing a positive customer experience. 

To see if your project qualifies, please contact the Building Department by calling (916) 478-2235 or by email at: bldonline@elkgrovecity.org  

 

New City Policy Supports Economic Development in Industrial Areas

In another move to improve customer service and support local businesses, the City of Elk Grove recently adopted a new policy topromote economic development in Elk Grove’s industrial areas.

The new City policy was recently adopted to expedite the permitting process and reduce fees for businesses moving into ElkGrove’s industrial spaces within in the city limits.  Under the new policy, businesses moving into existing industrial spaces will no longer have to obtain a new building permit, as long as the previous owner had the required permits for the space and no additional construction work is required.  The policy also allows for a Certificate of Occupancy to be transferred to similar businesses inindustrial areas on spaces less than 3,000 square feet. The new policy will reduce fees and ensure an efficient transition into a new space.

In all cases, a transfer of business licenses can take place in just one day. In some cases, a transfer of Certificate of Occupancy can take place in just one day. Local businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the City Building Department’s Tenant Improvement Tuesdays , PASS, and Permit Simplicity permit streamlining programs. For more information contact Sarah Sandoval, (916) 478-2235.

Small Business Permit Assistance Program

The Program provides grants to small businesses to defray the cost of obtaining City planning and/or building permits and approvals required to construct or retrofit commercial space that the business will occupy. Small businesses are defined under the Program as businesses with less than 20 employees and revenues under $3 million dollars.

View Policy, Guidelines, and Procedures.

Apply for the Small Business Permit Assistance Program

About the Building Division

The Elk Grove Building Division handles a variety of services, including inspections, safety standards, and permits. Building works closely with Planning, Development Engineering, Public Works, Fire, Police, and Finance to offer you the best care and service. Your business is our top priority. The Division issues permits and performs plan checks and inspections for Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical permits. Our permit process helps ensure the safety of the general public and tenant occupants within the City. Feel free to browse through our website and see what Building services we have to offer.

Contact

Building Safety, Inspection and Permits

Building Safety

Email (916) 478-2235 or fax (916) 691-4757

Inspections

(916) 478-2225
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