Applying for a Building Permit

We are pleased to announce that electronic plan review and electronic application submittal is available for building permits. Applications for building permits may also be made in person at the Building Division counter.

Contractors and their representatives are required use eTRAKiT to apply for these eligible single family dwelling building permits by completing the eTRAKiT User Application.

• Residential A/C Replacement  (like for like and same location)
• Residential Furnace Replacement  (like for like and same location)
• Residential Water Heater Replacement  (like for like and same location)
• Residential Instantaneous (Tankless) Water Heater
• Residential Water Re-Pipe
• Residential Roof Replacement
• Residential Roof Recover
• Temporary Power Pole
• Residential Solar Photovoltaic
• Residential Energy Storage System
• Residential Electric Vehicle Charge Station

To apply for a building permit other than eligible eTRAKiT permits:

• Submit an electronic Building Permit Application or complete and submit the Printable Building Permit Application
• City Staff will verify if submittal meets guidelines.
• Applicant will be notified with an invoice, link to process payment, and invitation to a Box account to upload required documents. A Box account is used for submittal of required plans and documents where document submittal is required. A Box account can be created at no cost.
  • How to Create a Box Account
  • Box Account Login
• All documents submitted must be in pdf format and follow the Construction Coalition PDF Guidelines.
• Permit Technician will verify submittal of documents and fees paid.
• Note: Your plan review time frame does not start until required document are submitted and fees paid.

To apply for a building permit you may need the following items:

• Property owner name, phone number, and address.
• Contractor name, phone number, address, state license number, City Business License, and current worker compensation certificate.
• Architect name, phone number and address.
• Engineer name, phone number and address.
• Plan check fees and/or permit fees may be collected. The cashier accepts cash, check, MasterCard and Visa.
• A project valuation is required.
• Plans may be required.
• The applicant must be the property owner, a licensed contractor, or an authorized agent.
• A letter of authorization for authorized agents will be required.
• Box account if submitting documents electronically.

Permit Issuance

Building permits will only be issued to:

1. California licensed contractors of the appropriate classification.
2. Owner/Builders: An owner-builder is the person who owns the property and acts as the general contractor on the job, and either does the work themselves, has employees or uses licensed contractors to work on the project. Owners of residential properties need to have owned the property for the last 12 months.

In both cases, the building owner, employee of the owner or licensed contractor or employee of the licensed contractor is required to be present at all inspections.

Owner-Builder Take Note - A Word of Caution from the Contractors State License Board

Permit Expiration

A Building Permit will expire if the work is not completed within three calendar years from the date of issuance. An unexpired permit may be granted a one-time, six-month extension. A Permit Extension Request must be completed and sent to: DSCstaff@oceansideca.org.  There is a $100 fee for extensions.

Plan Review/Permit Application Expiration

Submitted applications and plans expire two years after the date of submittal.  A Permit Extension Request must be completed and sent to: DSCstaff@oceansideca.org. There is a $100 fee for extensions.

Permit Exemptions

Most construction work does require a building permit. Please refer to the handout, IB 116 Permits Required-Exempted Work, for a detailed list of types of work that is exempt from requiring a permit. Refer to the A-1 - Permit Exemption for details. To request an exemption, complete and submit the Application for Permit Exemption.

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