Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times

The Permit Processing Timelines listed below are not exact, but provide general guidance when planning your projects. The goal of Planning & Building staff is to provide swift, efficient, application processing for all projects. Documents submitted to comply with "incomplete" notifications require reassignment. Visit our Planning and Building Permits webpage for more details on the permitting process, or view our process flow charts below.

Permit application processing and issuance timelines are based on complete applications and on business days Monday through Friday. Use our Online Permit Center to file applications and learn more on our How-To Video Tutorials page.

Need more help? Come to our One-Stop Permit Center on Walk-In Days: Mondays from 9 am - 3 pm or Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 3 pm; or schedule an appointment with our friendly staff on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 am - 4 pm.

Legend: BW = Building Worksheet | ZW = Zoning Worksheet

Planning Operations

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Zoning Clearance (ZC)	Same Day or up to 10 days	Online application
Letter of Determination (DET)	6 weeks or up to 12 weeks	Online application
In-Kind Windows, Doors, Sheetrock - Design Review Exemption (DRX)	7 days or up to 15 days	ZW + Check project requirements
Fencing, Decks, Signs, ADU, Additions under 1,000 sq ft. DRX or Small Project Design Review (DS)	4 weeks to 18 weeks	ZW + Check project requirements
Revisions	7 days or up to 15 days	Plans from Building
Additional Dwelling Units (ADU)	10 days up to 20 days	ZW + ADU Application

Application Reviews Dependent on Another Department

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Creek Protection - Watershed Approval Required	6 weeks or up to 18 weeks	ZW + Check project requirements
Development Related - Tree Removal - Tree Services Approval Required	6 weeks or up to 18 weeks	ZW + Check project requirements

Planning/Zoning Division Development

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Admin Case Reviews and Minor Subdivisions	10-13 months	ZW + Check project requirements
Planning Commission Cases, including major CUP's, Major Variances, and Major Subdivisions (TTMs)	10-13 months	ZW + Check project requirements
Development Planning Projects, including PUDs, rezonings, and complex CEQA documents e.g., Additions/Conversions more than 1000 sq.ft. or 100% of existing floor area, Multi-unit/Residential Mixed Use, Large Commercial Projects, Affordable Housing-Density Bonus	12-36 months	ZW + Check project requirements

Building Minor - No Plans

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Window replacement/retrofits Can be obtained directly/faster by applying online by owner or contractor.	Same day or up to 5 weeks	BW + Check project requirements
Windows that include kitchen/bath remodels with no wall change and no plan check required - can be obtained directly/faster by applying online by owner or contractor.	Same day or up to 5 weeks	BW + Check project requirements
Demolition (Removing 50% or more of a structure)	Up to 3 weeks + 30 day posting post Field Check Inspection	BW + Building Application Worksheet

Building Minor - No Plans - No Planning Review Required

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing Permits (MEPs) - Water heater replacement, main service upgrade, furnace replacements etc.	Same Day	Online application
SolarAPP+ Energy Systems	Same Day	Online application
Kitchen/bath remodels with no wall change, no windows/exterior work, and no plan check required - can be obtained directly/faster by applying online by owner or contractor.	Same Day or up to 2 weeks	BW + Check project requirements
Revisions - no plan review required	7 days or up to 3 weeks	BW + Revision request form
Permit Transfer	7 days or up to 3 weeks	BW + Transfer Letter + Declaration

Building Intake with Engineer Review (Plans Required)

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Minor (Engineer of the Day) Review Permits Residential 1-2 units (e.g., kitchen and bath remodels, minor structural repair, alteration/additions, foundation repair, voluntary seismic retrofit etc.)	2 weeks or up to 5 weeks	BW + Check project requirements
Regular Project Permits Residential or Commercial projects, Grading, Private Infrastructure, Accessory Dwelling Units, Telecoms, tenant improvement (TI), New Construction, Commercial Renovation, Cannabis Cultivation/Manufacturing	4 weeks or up to 11 weeks + Final Check	BW + Check project requirements
Regular Project Permits with Expedited Request (OT) Residential or Commercial projects, Grading, Private Infrastructure, Accessory Dwelling Units, Telecoms tenant improvement (TI), New Construction, Commercial Renovation, Cannabis Cultivation/Manufacturing	2 weeks or up to 5 weeks + Expedited Final Check	BW + Check project requirements + Request for Overtime Plan Review
Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)	10 days up to 20 + Final Check	BW+ Check project requirements
Non-Solar APP + Energy Systems	7 days or up to 2 weeks	SE + Check project requirements
Revisions - with plans	7 days or up to 2 weeks	BW + Revision request form + revised plans

Building Final Check

Project Type	Processing Time (From Low to High Complexity)	Application
Intake Projects with Engineer Review (Plans Required)	10 days or up to 7 weeks	BW + Check project requirements
Intake Projects with Engineer Review (Plans Required) with Expedited Request (OT)	5 days or up to 3 weeks	BW + Check project requirements + Request for Overtime Plan Review

Records

Project Type	Processing Time	Application
Re-Roofing & Insulation Certificates	Up to 5 Days	Online application
Record Requests	Up to 10 Days	Complete online request
Plan Retrieval	Up to 30 Days	Complete online request
3R Report	Up to 60 Days	Complete online request

Status Definitions

Status	Definition
Application Intake	Determines if the application submitted is complete i.e., digitals plans, signed plans, valuation is correct, required documents/forms are included, if Field Check Inspection is required, if Plan Check Review is required.
Application Inactive	Applications are valid for 180 days from the file date. Applicant must file for an Application Extension for the permit application process to move forward.
Building Worksheet (BW) (Not a permit)	Application/File/Drop Box to upload documents and provide a description and valuation for a project before the Permit is created by Permit Technicians
Engineer Review Required (EOD)	Only for Engineer of the Day projects. Assigned to the engineer of the day for review, comments will be issued (if only) that same day. If no comments, it'll be in queue for Final Check (status does not change).
Final Check	Final Check is typically involved when there are construction plans. Final Check verifies county information, fees, plans, forms, interdepartmental approvals, and other required documents to proceed with permit issuance.
Intake Complete	Application review determine all documents complete for plan check review or to issue the permit.
Pending Incomplete	Document(s) (i.e., plans, Title 24, structural calculations, etc.) are missing to move the project forward through the permit process
Permit Inactive	Document(s) (i.e., plans, Title 24, structural calculations, etc.) are missing to move the project forward through the permit process; applications are valid for 180 days from issuance unless a major inspection is approved or partially approved after issuance and then every 6 months thereafter, or the permit will become invalid.
Plan Check Review	Assigned to an engineer, in queue or in progress
Revisions	Changes to approved plans that may require engineer plan review, planning review or Inspector plan review in the field.
Solar Electric (SE)	Permit to allow installation of solar PV system and associated electrical equipment.
Zoning Worksheet (ZW) (Not a permit)	Application/File/Drop box to upload documents, provide a description of the project before a Planning Permit e.g. DRX, DS is created by planners.

Note: New Construction, alterations, demolitions, decks, ADUs etc. require Planning approval prior to Building application intake approval.

Permit Approval Process Flow Charts

Flow chart showing the Planning permit process flow

Flow chart showing the Building permit process flow