DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION

PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED

The floodplain administrator shall have the authority to require any building or structure located in a designated floodplain be subject to the regular permitting process. For floodplain properties see the separate handout entitled "Building Permit Requirements in a Flood Plain."

Permits shall be required for electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations in any building or structure except as listed below.

(Planning Department approval is required for items 1, 3, 5 and 6. Fire Department approval is required for items D, E and H. All references to the Ordinance Code shall mean the General Ordinance Code of the County. All references to zoning districts shall mean "as defined in Title 17 of the Ordinance Code." "UBC" shall mean the Uniform Building Code.)

1. FENCES: Open wire fences not more than 16 feet in height, masonry fences not more than 4 feet in height, and all other type of fences not more than 8 feet in height

Note: The allowable height of a fence is regulated by the location

2. RETAINING WALLS: Retaining walls located away from property lines as described below which do not retain more than three feet of earth when the earth retained is level and where there is no surcharge load, and retaining walls which do not retain more than two feet of earth when the earth retained is sloping or which supports surcharge loads.

A permit is required for all retaining walls located on a property line, or within a distance from the property line less than the height of the wall. All such walls shall be constructed using masonry or concrete.

Wood construction shall not be allowed.

3. ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: One-story detached, residential accessory buildings not more than 12 feet in height used as tool storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 150 square feet, and said buildings are not closer than 6 feet to other structures and no closer than 3 feet to the property line.
4. AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS: One-story detached buildings not more than 400 square feet floor area in an agricultural (A) zone, as defined by Chapter 2, Title 8, Alameda County Ordinance Code, which is used exclusively for housing animals, poultry, livestock and similar animals and the storage of necessary food, hay or grain for the animals housed therein, and said buildings are not closer than 6 feet to other structures and not closer than 3 feet to the property line.
5. AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS: Agricultural buildings (as defined in Section 202-A of the UBC) 12,000 sq. ft. or less in floor area, on lots exceeding 20 acres located in an "A" zoning district, where the principal use of the land is agriculture, and the said buildings are no closer than 40' to other structures and no closer than 30' to any property line. The exemption described in item 4 & 5 can only be used when the owner files the following with the Building Official:
   
   1. A plot plan showing the location of the proposed building.
   2. A letter stating that the use of the building will be in accordance with Section 202-A of the Uniform Building Code.
   3. Proof of approval of plot plan from Alameda County Planning Department and Alameda County Fire Department.

   Note: The Alameda County Planning Department regulates the locations on a property of the buildings described in items 3,4 and 5. Check with Alameda County Planning/Zoning Department prior to construction of these buildings.

6. SUN SHADE STRUCTURES: Structures such as lath houses, arbors, unenclosed patio covers, and similar structures with roofs WHICH DO NOT SHED WATER, which are not more than 10 feet in height, 400 square feet in area, and not closer than 3 feet to the property line.
7. AWNINGS: Awnings over doors and windows of single family dwellings or miscellaneous structures, which are entirely supported by the building and do not project more than 54 inches.
8. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION OFFICES, AND STORAGE SHEDS: Temporary structures used on a site where there is a valid building permit or grading permit, or used in connection with a construction project where no building permit or grading permit is required.This provision shall not apply to such buildings remaining on the site 30 days after the completion of construction. Location of temporary buildings shall be approved by the Fire Department.
9. SIGNS: Freestanding non-electrical signs less than 8' in height, and signs fastened flat against a building when such signs weigh less than 3 lb./sq. ft., project less than 4" from the building, and do not extend above the top of the wall of the building.
10. DECKS: Raised decks, platforms, ramps, and walkways not more than 30 inches above the ground at any point and not supporting any other structure.
11. PLAY STRUCTURES: Tree houses or other structures designed to be used by children for play.
12. FLAG POLES OR ANTENNAS: Flag poles, radio or TV antennas and towers, 35 feet or less in height when not attached to a building and less than 20 feet in height above the roof when attached to a building.
13. POOLS: Swimming, bathing and wading pools, and fish ponds not exceeding 2 feet in depth.
14. PRE-FABRICATED POOLS: Prefabricated swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs accessory to single family dwellings in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons, (See Section 15.08.340, Alameda County Ordinance Code for Swimming Pool Barrier Requirements).
15. FINISHES: Painting, papering, paneling, and siding over existing interior or exterior finishes, and similar finish work.
16. CABINET REPLACEMENT: Replacement or re-facing of existing kitchen cabinets when no walls are opened or removed, no sheetrock is added or replaced, no electrical fixtures or outlets are added, and no re-arrangement of plumbing fixtures or hard-wired appliances is involved.
17. TENTS: Tents over swimming pools or similar use on the premises of one and two family dwellings.
18. GLASS: The replacement of sheet or plate glass.
    Replacement of sheet or plate glass in locations defined as hazardous by the Building Code MUST COMPLY with current regulations. 

19. ELECTRICAL: The replacement of lamps, light switches, and receptacles connected to an existing circuit, or the connection of portable electrical appliances to suitable receptacles permanently installed with a previous permit.
20. PLUMBING REPAIRS: Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, fittings or fixtures when such repairs do not involve significant replacement or rearrangement of pipes, valves, fittings or fixtures, or the removal of ceiling, wall or floor coverings.
21. FIXTURE REPLACEMENT: The replacement in dwelling units, when not part of a remodel, of sinks, lavatories, and water closets when the water, waste, and vent lines are not significantly altered and connect to existing lines installed with a previous permit.
22. APPLIANCES: The replacement in dwelling units, when not part of a remodel, of dishwashers, garbage disposal, ranges, ovens, cook tops, clothes washers, and clothes dryers when all of the following conditions exist:
    
    1. The replacement unit is installed in the same location.
    2. The BTU input rating or the wattage of the unit is not increased.
    3. The electrical connection is to an existing circuit installed with a previous permit.
    4. The gas line is not altered on the supply side of the shut-off valve.
    5. The water, waste, and vents are not significantly altered and connect to existing lines which were installed with a previous permit.

Click below for information on:

• Inspection Scheduling Information
• Uniform Building Permit Application - Information on applying for a building permit!
• How to obtain a permit
• When a permit is NOT required for a residential project
• Plan requirements for small projects
• Plan requirements for additions
• Plan requirements for new buildings
• Inspections required for permits
• Links to other building resources on the web