The Building Division Staff is frequently asked the following
questions. We hope that they might be of some assistance in answering any questions
that you might have, or at least point you in the right direction.
For which projects do I need a permit?
- All electrical installations
- All plumbing installations
- All mechanical (heating, air conditioning, etc.) installations,
except repairs of a minor nature
- Mobile home installations (included replacements in parks)
What items are exempt from permit requirements?
- Retrofitted insulation
- Concrete slabs not inside house
- Driveways and sidewalks (except where they encroach into the public
right of way)
- Porches and decks, where the floor or deck is not more than 30 inches
(762 mm) above the grade and where the edge of the porch, deck or floor does not come
closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to property lines and not attached to house
- Patio covers, not over 120 square feet (11 m2) in area
and not attached to house
- Painting
- Interior wall, floor or ceiling covering
- Nonbearing partitions, except when such partitions create habitable
rooms
- Shelving and cabinet work
- Gutters and down-spouts
- Nonhabitable small accessory buildings not over 200 square feet (18.58 m2)
or a height of 10 feet (3048 mm) measured to the highest point, and not
closer than 3 feet to property line
- Door and window replacements (where no structural member is changed)
- Replacement or repair of lap siding not required to be fire resistant
- Residential reroofing that does not involve structural
repair.
If the project will involve replacement of sheathing or rafters, or if tile will be
replacing shingles, a permit is required. Under no circumstances should more than
three layers of shingles be installed.
