Building

The Building Division helps ensure that all new construction and property improvements meet state and city codes. This includes requirements for:

Accessible (ADA-compliant) design
Energy efficiency
Water conservation

The Division also supports the preservation of existing housing through the Resale Program and Code Enforcement Program.

Services Provided

Building Permit Application Process

The Building Division reviews and issues all permit types. You may submit any project for plan review electronically. Plans are either reviewed in-house or sent out for review.

How to Apply

Fees and Payment

Processing Time

Owner-Builder Applications

Other Building Information:

BUILDING INSPECTIONS

Face coverings are required for all unvaccinated people during the inspection. Before your inspection should the owner/representative become afflicted with COVID-19 or have known contact with someone afflicted with COVID-19 within the last 14 days before inspection, the City shall be notified prior to the inspection to reschedule the appointment.

Should the owner/representative come down with any symptoms associated with the COVID-19 illness the day of or have any symptoms within 48 hours prior to the inspection, they will need to reschedule their inspection accordingly. Should the owner/representative come down with any symptoms associated with the COVID-19 illness after the inspection, the City shall be notified immediately.

A city building inspector will make site inspections to verify that all work performed complies with the adopted building codes and approved plans. Please be sure all work is completed (and not covered, if applicable) for the portion of the job before requesting an inspection. Please note the following:

Be sure your job site has an address posted and that a set of approved plans is on the job site.
If the inspection items are all on the exterior and there are no dogs in the yard, no one needs to be present for the inspection. You only need to inform us of that and give us permission to enter the yard.
If the property is vacant, the inspection can be arranged by bringing a key to the Building Department and requesting an inspection.
An adult must be present for indoor inspections when the property is not vacant.
A Cal OSHA approved extension ladder rated at a minimum of 250 pounds must be provided when necessary for access for inspections (i.e. roof, attic, etc.).
Asphalt Roof Final inspections will not be done in the afternoon on hot days.
Attics will not be inspected in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day (during the summer).
The Resale Report must be on site for inspections related to a Resale Inspection.

SCHEDULING BUILDING INSPECTIONS:

To schedule an inspection, please utilize one of the following three ways below:

1) Use the voice automated system at 530-757-5658 before 3:30pm the business day prior for the following business day. Please be sure to speak your phone number since it is a voice service, OR

2) Text (844) 304-4064 and follow the prompts. If you use the interactive text messaging system, you will need a code to schedule the inspection. Please visit Text Building Inspections for more information, OR

3) Send an email with the subject heading "Inspection Request for (Date)" to the email address: cddweb@cityofdavis.org before 3:30pm the business day prior (Please use this option as the last resort as we do receive an enormous amount of emails everyday and do not want this to get lost in the shuffle). Please be sure to include a permit number, address and the best contact phone number.

Please note that the voice automated scheduling service (530-757-5658) only accepts inspection requests one day in advance! Please do not leave any other messages on the recorder as we are not able to re-check once the list is generated, and we are unable to respond to them. If you have questions or cancellations, please contact us directly.

When you call in to request your inspection, please have the following information ready:

Your Permit Number(s)
Owner or Contractors name and Telephone Number
The Job Address
The Type of Inspection Requested (our system does not recognize inspection codes)

Please Note: Under the "special instructions" part of the voice automated inspection recording line, you can request an A.M. or P.M. but due to the volume of inspection requests, we cannot guarantee your preferences. Time frame for inspections occur between 8:00am to noon and 1:00pm to 3:30pm. If the Inspector is unable to complete your inspection on the day scheduled, it will automatically become a priority on the following workday. If you do not want the inspection done early on the next day, please let us know by emailing us at cddweb@cityofdavis.org.

If you wish to be notified up to 15 minutes prior to the inspector’s arrival on the site to prepare for your virtual or exterior inspection, please indicate this when scheduling your request on the recorded inspection line. Be sure to include (voice, not type!) your contact number (with area code).

BUILDING FORMS

Below are some building division forms, however, the list is extensive so if you don't find what you are looking for here, please contact us by phone at 530-757-5610 or email OnlinePermits@cityofdavis.org

The City of Davis will accept Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Self- Certification until further notice.

RESALE PROGRAM

The Resale Program is to ensure that residential units meet minimum building codes and health, fire, and safety regulations. Residential properties are subject to the Resale Program and must go through one (1) of the following processes: Inspection or Self-Certification.

Properties with 1, 2, or 3 residential units are subject to the Resale Inspection process. No later than fifteen working days prior to close of escrow transfer of title or change in ownership or end of any inspection period stipulated by the agreement of sale of any unit, the owner, or his/her authorized representative shall submit a completed resale application and applicable fees to the Building Division. An inspection date and time will be scheduled upon receipt of the completed application and applicable fees. A written report is issued within 5 working days of completed inspection and/or all necessary information has been received. The report is divided into three sections:

The Resale Report shall remain valid until either the report is validated or 18 months from the inspection date. If there is a sale within those 18 months, one of two things must happen prior to close of sale. Either the seller completes all work necessary and obtains the validated Certificate, or the buyer agrees to complete the Report and obtain the validated Certificate within 90 days of close of escrow.
Prior to close of sale, the seller must provide the buyer with a copy of both the Report and this brochure. Prior to close of sale or no later than 5 working days after the close, a copy of Page 1 of the Report that has been signed by the buyer must be submitted to the Building Division office.
If there is no sale within those 18 months, one of two things must happen. Either the seller chooses to not complete all Report items and the Report will automatically be voided (Seller must reapply for another inspection prior to any future sale) or the seller completes the process and obtains the validated Resale Certificate. The validated Resale Certificate is valid for 18 months from last resale inspection date or until the property is altered without a permit for which a permit is required.

RESALE INSPECTION

To schedule a resale inspection, the first step is to complete a Resale Inspection Application (see below) and email the completed application to buildinginfo@cityofdavis.org or cddweb@cityofdavis.org. We will process the application and email your Resale Number and instructions to pay online. You may pay the fee online, mail a physical check made payable to the City of Davis to the address on the application, or place it in the City of Davis drop box located in the parking lot at City Hall Offices on Russell Blvd.

If you mail in your application, please include the check for the appropriate amount. A city staff will verify when an application and payment has been received and contact you with further instructions.

Resale Inspection Application (PDF Fillable Form)
Resale Inspection Brochure
Resale Self Certification Package
Resale-Extension-Request

Resale Program Staff

Scott Peterson, Resale Inspector
Curtis Border, Resale Inspector

How much is the Resale Inspection Application fee?

Please note that you cannot pay online until your Resale Application has been processed and a Resale Number issued to you. Fees are $501.00 for a single family residence fee, $601.00 for a duplex, $686 for a triplex and $100.91 self certification.

REQUEST FOR DUPLICATION OF COPYRIGHTED BUILDING PLANS

The Building Division follows the procedure outlined below to process requests for duplication of copyrighted building plans. We are required by the California Health and Safety Code Sections 19850 – 19853 to notify any listed, certified, licensed, registered design professional who stamped and/or signed the plans, of your request by mailing a certified letter.

NOTE: We are prohibited by the Health and Safety Code to release plans for banks or other financial institutions or public utilities.

1. You must come into our office to review the plans first.

2. Obtain authorization from the Property Owner (We will NOT release plans until permission is granted by the current property owner and listed certified, licensed, registered design professional who stamped and/or signed the plans) :

a. If you are the Property Owner and the Applicant, you will be required to fill out the Affidavit Request for Duplication of Copyrighted Plans ( PDF) and get it notarized. Submit that along with the Questys Request Form (fillable PDF).

b. If you are NOT the Property Owner, you will be required to contact the Property Owner and have him/her fill out the 2nd page of the Affidavit Request for Duplication of Copyrighted Plans called Authorization of Agent to Act on Property Owner's Behalf (fillable PDF). You must complete the Affidavit Request for Duplication of Copyrighted Plans, get it notarized and present that along with the 2nd page -Authorization of Agent to Act on Property Owner's Behalf, and Questys Request Form. We will also accept a letter from the property owner giving you permission to request the plans, and for us to release them to you on their behalf.

c. For new property owners - please provide a copy of the recorded grant deed.

3. Submit all paperwork along with the required $162.00 Administrative Fee for each request.

4. We will process your request within 72 business hours of submittal. The design professional has up to 30 days from the date the certified letter was mailed, to respond to the request.

5. We will release the plans when all design professionals respond or when the 30 days are up, whichever comes first.

If you have additional questions, please contact our office at 530-757-5610 or by email at cddweb@cityofdavis.org.

For other frequently asked questions, click here.

SOLAR APP +

Solar APP+ Automated Solar Plan Reviews

Before applying for an automated solar plan review and solar permit, projects must follow certain requirements. At this time, Solar APP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for the majority of residential, roof-mounted, retrofit photovoltaic systems. To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the Eligibility Checklists. Only projects that conform to this lists are eligible to use the automated Solar APP+ portal for instant permitting.

How to Start using Solar App+
- Register through the Solar APP+ Registration Webpage.
- If already registered, please skip to step 2.
Submit for automated review through Solar APP+
- To start using Solar APP+, log in and submit your design through the Solar APP+ Webpage.
- A processing fee from Solar APP+ and City of Davis permit fees will be charged.
- Download the approved plans and provide two printed copies to the Building Division counter to receive City stamps and a building permit card.
- Receive an email within 24 business hours containing the City of Davis permit number (for example BLDG-2024-XXXXX) needed for scheduling inspections.
Schedule an Inspection:
- Inspections are available during normal City business hours and can be requested for morning (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
- Please have the City of Davis permit number (example BLDG-2024-XXXXX), type of inspection requested, address, site contact name and contact phone number.
- Call in for inspections by 3:30 p.m., the business day before you would like your inspection. You can call into the automated request line at (530) 757-5658, you may text (844) 304-4064, or email cddweb@cityofdavis.org to schedule an inspection as well.

City of Davis, CA

Building Permits Issued

Contact Information

Building Permit Application Process

Other Building Information:

SCHEDULING BUILDING INSPECTIONS:

RESALE INSPECTION

Solar APP+ Automated Solar Plan Reviews