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ExpressPermitsMV

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Express Permits reduce the time from initial application to building permit issuance for single-family/duplex homeowners and small business operators by offering accelerated City review timelines and in-person, or hybrid, meetings with City Staff Reviewers to find solutions, ask questions, and review comments faster than standard building permits.

ExpressPermitsMVIconQualifying Projects

For single-family homes and duplexes, the following projects qualify:

  • remodels of 600 square feet or less,
  • additions of 499 square feet or less, or
  • any combination within the thresholds listed above.

For small businesses, the following projects qualify:

  • commercial tenant improvements of 5,000 square feet or less, 
  • can include site improvements disrupting less than 5,000 square feet of site area,
  • have an occupancy type B or M per the California Building Code, and
  • serve a retail, office, personal service (e.g. nail salon, hair salon), or medical business.

Process

 Submit

WEEK 1: Submit your building permit application online at ePermitsMV and pay a plan check fee. Your Project Coordinator will schedule a 45-minute appointment for either Tuesday afternoon (Single-Family/Duplex Remodels/Additions) or Thursday afternoon (Commercial Tenant Improvements) on Week 3. 

Note: Appointments do not conflict with Fire Permit One-Stop appointments, which are held in the mornings.

 Review

 WEEK 2: City Staff Reviewers from Building, Planning, Public Works, and Fire Departments will review the permit for completeness and code compliance. Comments will be sent to the applicant by the end of Week 2, allowing time to review comments prior to the appointment. Note: If there are no corrections from City staff, then the permit will be issued and the appointment will be cancelled. 

 Meeting

 WEEK 3: The City's Building Plan Checker will meet with the licensed professional who prepared the plans to review comments and questions. The property owner or business owner is welcome to attend the meeting. Other City Staff Reviewers may attend the meeting to discuss specific comments.

Next Day

 NEXT DAY AFTER APPOINTMENT: City staff will either: (a) return all comments to the applicant in ePermitsMV to allow resubmission of plan corrections or missing information, or (b) proceed with collecting final fee payment and issuing the building permit. 

Cost

  • the building permit fees are approximately $6,000, based on a construction valuation (cost of labor and materials) of $250,000. If the construction valuation is lower, the building permit fees will decrease; and
  • an excavation permit fee of up to $12,000, depending on the amount of utility improvements and construction in the public right-of-way proposed.

 

To submit, apply for a new Building Permit online at ePermitsMV and indicate "Express Permit" in your project description.