A building permit is an approval from your local city or county that allows you to construct, remodel, or significantly alter a building. Permits exist to make sure that projects meet safety, building code, zoning, fire, and accessibility standards, and that work is inspected before it is finalized.
Use this guide to quickly find the official building permit website and online permit system for popular cities. If you are planning a project and searching for building permits in your city, start with your city’s official portal below and then use GreatWork.pro to organize your project and vendors.
Click the links in each card to go directly to the city’s building permits information page or online permitting system.
Mountain View’s Permit Center handles building permits, plan review, and inspections for residential and commercial work in the city.
Official website: Mountain View Permit Center
Online permit system: Mountain View ePermits
Palo Alto’s Development Services department issues building permits and reviews plans for construction and remodeling projects.
Official website: Palo Alto Development Services
Online permit system: Palo Alto Accela Citizen Access
Los Altos issues building permits through the Community Development Department for new construction and alterations.
Official website: Los Altos Building Division
Online permit system: Los Altos eTRAKiT
The City of Sunnyvale Building Division manages permits, plan review, and inspections for residential and commercial projects.
Official website: Sunnyvale Building Division
Online permit system: Sunnyvale Self-Service Portal
San José’s Development Services Permit Center provides information, plan review, and permits for building projects in the city.
Official website: San José Development Services Permit Center
Online permit system: SJPermits Online
Redwood City’s Community Development and Transportation Department oversees building permits and inspections.
Official website: Redwood City Community Development
Online permit system: Redwood City eTRAKiT
San Mateo’s Building Division handles building permits, code enforcement, and inspections for the city.
Official website: San Mateo Building Division
Online permit system: San Mateo Self-Service Portal
The City of Fremont Community Development Department issues building permits and provides inspection services.
Official website: Fremont Building Permits & Inspections
Online permit system: Fremont Accela Citizen Access
Oakland’s Planning & Building Department manages building permit applications, plan review, and inspections.
Official website: Oakland — Apply for a Building Permit
Online permit system: Oakland Accela Citizen Access
The City of Berkeley Planning & Development Department issues building permits and provides permit guidance.
Official website: Berkeley Building & Safety
Online permit system: Berkeley Accela Citizen Access
San Francisco issues building permits through the Department of Building Inspection for residential and commercial projects, additions, and alterations.
Official website: San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
Online permit system: San Francisco Permit Tracking System
Santa Clara’s Building Division manages permits, plan review, and inspections for work within the city.
Official website: Santa Clara Building Division
Online permit system: Santa Clara Accela Citizen Access
Santa Clara County Planning and Development office issues permits for unincorporated areas of the county.
Official website: Santa Clara County — Apply for a Permit
Online permit system: Santa Clara County Accela Citizen Access
The Houston Permitting Center provides permitting services for residential and commercial construction, including plan review, inspections, and trade permits.
Official website: Houston Permitting Center
Online permit system: Houston ePermits
The City of Dallas Department of Development Services issues building permits for new construction, remodels, and trade work.
Official website: Dallas Development Services
Online permit system: Develop Dallas Online Permits
Austin’s Development Services Department manages building permits, plan review, and inspections for residential and commercial projects.
Official website: Austin Development Services Department
Online permit system: Austin Build + Connect Portal
In New York City, building permits are issued by the NYC Department of Buildings for construction, alterations, and certain repairs in all five boroughs.
Official website: NYC Department of Buildings
Online permit system: DOB NOW & eFiling
The City of Miami Building Department handles building permits, inspections, and plan review for residential and commercial properties.
Official website: City of Miami — Building Permits
Online permit system: Miami Online Permits
Orlando’s Permitting Services issues building permits, processes plan review, and schedules inspections for local construction projects.
Official website: City of Orlando Permitting Services
Online permit system: Orlando Online Permit Applications
Chicago’s Department of Buildings issues building permits for new construction, renovations, and trade work throughout the city.
Official website: Chicago Department of Buildings
Online permit system: Chicago Building Permits
Once you know what permits are required in your city, GreatWork.pro can help you organize projects, gather quotes from vendors, and track progress in one place. Explore our vendor directory to find contractors, designers, and other professionals to help you get the work done.