PERMITS

Title 26, Section 106.3, a building permit shall not be required for the following:

1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, shade structures and similar uses, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, the height does not exceed 12 feet, and the maximum roof projection does not exceed 24 inches.
2. Fences which are not used as a barrier to a private swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs, and monuments signs, provided that:
   1. Masonry or concrete fences do not exceed 6 feet in height and are set back from public ways a distance at least equal to the fence height.
   2. Fences constructed of other materials do not exceed 6 feet in height.
   3. Monument signs do not exceed 6 feet in height.
3. Tanks not storing hazardous material as defined in the Fire Code provided that:
   1. Steel tanks are supported on a foundation not more than 2 feet (610 mm) above grade and the overall height to diameter or width does not exceed 1½ times the diameter.
   2. Water tanks, including cisterns and rain barrels, ( constructed of materials other than steel), supported directly on grade when the overall height to diameter or width does not exceed 1½ times the diameter, and the capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons (18925 L).
4. Gantry cranes and similar equipment.
5. Retaining walls that retain not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding a Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
6. Motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery, except when used as a building.
7. Ground mounted radio and television antennae towers which do not exceed 45 feet in height and ground support dish antennas not exceeding 15 feet in height above finished grade in any position.
8. Light standards which do not exceed 30 feet in height.
9. Flagpoles not erected upon a building and not more than 15 feet high.
10. A tree house provided that:
    1. It does not exceed 64 square feet in area not 8 feet in height from floor to roof.
    2. The ceiling height as established by door height or plate line does not exceed 6 feet.
11. Canopies or awnings, completely supported by the exterior wall, attached to a Group R-3 or U Occupancy and extending not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall of the building.
12. Sheds, office or storage buildings, and other structures that are less than 1500 square feet and incidental to and work authorized by a valid grading or building permit. Such structures must be removed upon expiration of the permit or completion of the work covered by the permit.
13. A portable metal hanger located on County-owned airports, provided that:
    1. It is less than 2,000 square feet (185.8 m2) in area;
    2. It is used exclusively for the parking of aircraft,
    3. It bears the Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California insignia of approval for movement on any highway,
    4. It incorporates as an integral part of its basic construction a hitch or coupling device for towing,
    5. It can accommodate, without further structural change, wheel and axle assemblies to provide a safe means of portability,
    6. It is equipped with permanent ventilation to prevent the accumulation of combustible gases, and
    7. It is not provided with water or sanitary facilities.
14. Oil derricks.
15. Decks, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below, and which are not part of an accessible route.
16. Prefabricated swimming pools and other bodies of water accessory to a Group R-3 Occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, or do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above adjacent grade. *Fences, gates, door alarms, and other protection devices that are accessory to the prefabricated swimming pool are not exempt from permit requirements.
17. Playground equipment not to exceed 12 feet in height accessory to Group R-3 occupancy.
18. One-story detached animal cages and kennels, chicken coops, and animal pens provided the gross floor area does not exceed 400 square feet and the height does not exceed 6 feet and at least one horizontal dimension does not exceed 12 feet.
19. Noncombustible livestock shelters provided that the gross floor area does not exceed 300 square feet, the height does not exceed 12 feet, and at least 3 sides are open.
20. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work where disabled access requirements do not apply.
21. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.

Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required, as well as compliance with local zoning regulations and other applicable laws or ordinances.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not deem to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the Code or other laws or ordinances.

Title 26, Section J103.2, a grading permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Grading in an isolated, self-contained area when;
   1. Approved by the Building Official, and
   2. Presents no danger to the public, and
   3. Will not adversely affect adjoining properties or public way.
2. Excavation for construction of structure permitted under the Building Code.
3. Cemetery graves.
4. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.
5. Excavations for wells, or trenches for utilities.
6. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing or stockpiling rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or clay controlled by other regulations, provided such operations do not affect the lateral support of, or significantly increase stresses in, soil on adjoining properties.
7. Exploratory excavations performed under the direction of a Geotechnical Engineer or Engineering Geologist. This shall not include grading of access roads and pads.
8. An excavation that does not exceed 50 cubic yards and complies with one of the following:
   1. Is less than 2 feet in depth, or
   2. Does not create a cut slope greater than 5 feet measured vertically upward from the cut surface to the surface of the natural grade and is not steeper than 2:1.
9. A fill not intended to support a structure that does not obstruct a drainage course and complies with one of the following:
   1. Is less than 1 foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 5:1, or
   2. Is less than 3 feet in depth at its deepest point measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed 50 cubic yards, and creates a fill no steeper than 2:1, or
   3. Is less than 5 feet in depth … at its deepest point measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed 20 cubic yards, and creates a fill slope no steeper than 2:1.

Exemption from the permit requirements of the Building Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the building Code or any other laws or ordinances.

Title 27, Article 82, an electrical permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Minor repair work, such as the replacement of lamps, switches, receptacles devices, sockets, and the like, or the connection of portable motor and appliances to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed.
2. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.
3. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
4. Low-energy power, control, and signal circuits that are not an integral part of an appliance and in which the power is limited from a source having a rated output of not more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes.
5. Temporary decorative lighting.
6. The installation of temporary wiring for testing or experimental purposes within suitable facilities.
7. Replacement of over-current devices of the same type and same rating.
8. Portable generators, portable motors, appliances, tools, power outlets, and other portable equipment connected by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug.
9. Private telephone, intercom, sound and communication systems; provided, however, that the above system(s) do not exceed the value as indicated in (3) and (4) of this section.

A permit shall be obtained for the power supplies required by the above systems.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, all electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with Section 83-2 of the Electrical Code.

Title 28, Section 103.7, a plumbing permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Repairing leaks in drains, soil, waste or vent pipe provided any trap, drainpipe, soil, waste or vent pipe is not replaced.
2. Clearing of stoppages or repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures when such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.
3. Where a plumbing system or part thereof is set up for exhibition purposes and has no connection with a water or drainage system.

Title 29, Section 111.1, a mechanical permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Any portable heating appliance.
2. Any portable ventilating equipment.
3. Any portable cooling unit.
4. Any steam, hot, or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the Mechanical Code.
5. Replacement of any component part or assembly of an appliance which does not alter its original approval and complies with applicable requirements of the Mechanical Code.
6. Any portable evaporative cooler.
7. Any refrigerating equipment which is a part of equipment for which a permit has been issued pursuant to the requirements of the Mechanical Code.
8. Any unit refrigerating system.