The Building Division ensures that safety standards are met for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and various state and municipal codes for new construction, remodeling, additions and demolitions. In addition to inspection services, the division also handles the enforcement of housing and building code violations and provides building permit services. Building Division staff coordinate permit review with other departments and divisions and issues certificates of occupancy.

Building Codes

The City of Tracy uses current versions of the Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes as adopted by the State of California.

Permits and Reviews

Building Permits are issued every working day of each month. The Building Division is located at 333 Civic center Plaza, and may be reached at (209) 831-6400. Please review the General Building Permit Submittal Requirements to see what materials are required for the issuance of a permit.

What type of work requires a permit?

In accordance with the California Building Code building permits are required as follows:

"No building or structure regulated by this code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged,altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the Building Official."

In plain English this means that basically anything done to a structure, other than aesthetics (painting, carpet, wallpaper, linoleum, floor coverings, etc.) requires building permits.

The following is a list of common "homeowner-type" projects which REQUIRE permits:

• Replacing water heater
• Patio covers and "shade structures"
• Installation of portable spas
• Above ground pools OVER 5,000 gallons
• Detached storage or accessory structure more than 120 sf
• Any fence over six feet in height
• Re-roofing - this includes "overlays"
• Outdoor decking over 30 inches above ground level

If you have any questions on when building permits are required, please feel free to call the City of Tracy Plans Examiner, at (209) 831-6400.