Building Permits

A permit is required for most construction and/or repair projects, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Permits are necessary for, but not limited to, residential and business additions; alterations; patios; decks; garden and retaining walls; swimming pools; spas; hot tubs; air conditioners (adding or replacing); and all electrical and plumbing installations, including lawn sprinklers, water heaters, and gas lines.

When Building Permits Are Not Required

Permits are not required for the following:

• Fences below eight feet in height. Contact the Planning Division for plan approval before construction,
• Retaining walls that are not more than three feet in height, measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or ground slope of five percent (5%). Please note: The presence of a building / structure within five feet or existence of a geogrid is a surcharge.
• One-story detached accessory buildings with no electrical or plumbing installed, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, that are less than eight feet in total height and do not block any windows of the dwelling; zoning clearance is required before construction.
• Raised wood decks, which are less than 30 inches above the ground at all points
• Painting, papering, carpeting, and similar finish work

For a complete list, please see our Work Exempt from a Building Permit . To find out if your project requires a permit or to ask any other building question, please contact the Building & Safety Division at 925-833-6620.

Plan Check Timelines

It takes about two to three weeks (10 to 15 business days) to process a building permit that requires plan review submittal. A majority of minor permits are issued over the counter. View the https://dublin.ca.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=15 https://dublin.ca.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=15 frequently asked questions https://dublin.ca.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=15 https://dublin.ca.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=15 for more details. For additional questions on the timeline for a specific scope of work, contact the Building & Safety Division at 925-833-6620.

Online Permit Submittals

Starting July 5, 2024, all applications will go through our Citizen Self-Service Portal (CSS), please see www.dublin.ca.gov/CSS for details.

Please see the following pages for additional information, handouts, forms and guides:

• Residential Projects
• Commercial / Multi-family Projects

Separate Submittal for Sewer / Water, Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD)

All projects subject to DSRSD review that are submitted on or after July 1, 2022, must be submitted for plan review to DSRSD separately and approval obtained prior to building permit issuance.

You may also view the DSRSD ‘How To Apply’ handout for step-by-step instructions.