Pinole's Frequently Asked Questions

Building permits are typically required for all structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work whether inside or outside of the building. Permits are usually required for new buildings, additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.), residential work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, etc.), renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, reroofing, etc.), electrical systems, plumbing systems, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems. Although a contractor will often secure the necessary permits, the responsibility for obtaining building, mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits lies with the property owner. Before beginning ANY construction or remodeling project, be sure to contact the Building Division. A staff member can verify what permits are needed, the cost and the proper procedure. 

RESIDENTIAL
The following is a partial list of common residential and commercial projects that require Building Permits: 

• Installation of free-standing fireplaces (wood burning not allowed) 
• Fireplace inserts 
• Replacement of hot water heater, furnace or air conditioner 
• Water softeners 
• New sewer, water or gas line 
• Changes or replacement of retaining walls 
• Room additions 
• Window Replacement 
• Fire damage repair 
• Electric service upgrade, electric service panel relocation, and new wiring or electric outlets 
• Installation of heat pumps or solar panels 
• Reconstruction or modification of a dwelling 
• New siding or new roof 
• Termite repair work 
• Pools, spas and hot tubs 
• Patio covers, decks over 30 inches high OR over 120 square feet OR attached to the house, and gazebos 
• Permanent affixed or freestanding signs 

COMMERCIAL 

• Accessibility Upgrades 
• Change in use 
• Replacement of hot water heater, furnace or air conditioner 
• New or replacement electrical panel 
• New siding or roof 
• Window replacement 
• Swimming pool 
• Tenant Improvements 

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by the State of California and the City of Pinole, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. Lenders require proof a building permit has been secured and work done without permits typically requires retroactive inspection and documentation, which costs time and money. If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied, or make costly repairs. A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met––as demonstrated by a code official’s carefully maintained records––has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit. Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. By following code guidelines, the completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends, or future owners. 

Another (costly) reason to secure a permit is financial. Retroactive, or after the fact, Building Permits will be assessed a penalty equal to the original permit fee, and work without a permit will be subject to code enforcement citations. 

As of October 1, 2022, the Building Division is pleased to offer the following in-person over-the-counter appointments for same-day permit issuance of:  

• Residential reroofs 
• Residential water heater replacements (in-place or replacement with on-demand)  
• HVAC replacements (like for like)  
• Electric panel replacements (like for like) 
• Residential Generators
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station
• Residential Swimming pool/spa replaster
• Window/Door retrofit/repair
• Residential rooftop solar of below 10kw

Note that remote processing of "over the counter permits" is now offered for the types of permits above. Note this option is not in person, and may take up to seven calendar days for processing.

For more information, and to book an appointment, view the Applying for a Permit Page

The City of Pinole offers over the counter service for minor permit types. If a permit does not qualify for Over-the-Counter review it will be sent out for third-party plan check. Plans examiners review plot plans, roof plans, elevations, structural details, and truss and engineering calculations to ensure they meet the minimum local and state laws regulating the construction of a building. That includes all auxiliary components, such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and State of California energy requirements. For more information, and to book an appointment, view the Applying for a Permit Page

The City of Pinole Building Official may authorize the refund of required permit fees as follows:

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS
The following applies to the withdrawal of a building permit application prior to issuance of the permit. Prior to plan review commencing, up to 80% of the plan review fees may be refunded. If plan review has commenced, no refund shall be allowed.

ACTIVE BUILDING PERMITS
(a) Unused Building Permit. The following applies upon the canceling of a building permit within three hundred sixty five (365) days after issuance, no work having been done and no inspections having been performed:

1. If the building permit fee was greater than one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125), eighty percent (80%) of the building permit fee paid shall be refunded.
2. If the building permit fee was one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) or less, no refund shall be allowed.

No refunds of plan check fees for issued permits shall be allowed. Any unused plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit(s) taken in conjunction with a building permit are governed by the refund procedures in subsection (b) of this policy.

(b) Unused Plumbing, Electrical or Mechanical Permits. No refund of fees for these permits (including sub permits issued in conjunction with building permits, and miscellaneous permits) shall be allowed, except for the following:

1. Upon the canceling of a permit within three hundred sixty-five (365) days after issuance and, where fees paid were in excess of one hundred twenty five dollars ($125), and no work having been done and no inspections performed, the applicant may be allowed a refund of the amount of no more than eighty percent (80%) of the plumbing electrical or mechanical permit(s) fees paid.
2. If the fees paid were one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) or less, no refund shall be allowed.

EXPIRED BUILDING PERMITS
Expired Unused Building Permit. When a building permit is requested to be canceled and the permit is expired, a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) is required at the time of the cancellation request. A field inspection will be scheduled to confirm that no work was performed. If the result of the inspection confirms that no work was performed, the permit shall be canceled. However, if work is determined to have been performed, an additional inspection fee will be assessed against the permit. Additionally, the work under the scope of the permit may be required to be completed and obtain all requisite inspections. If the permit process is not completed, the matter may be forwarded to the code enforcement officer for further action.

The Building Official shall have the discretion to make any decisions regarding the refund policy for unusual circumstance.  

Refund Policy Last Updated: February 18, 2022

Section 1704.02 of the California Building Code states "Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in section 105, or 1.89.4, as applicable, the owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall employ one or more approved agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in section 1705 and identify the approved agencies to the building official.  These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the Building official that are identified in section 110."

The code also explains those conducting the special inspections must be approved by they building official.  The City of Pinole has a list of approved special inspection agencies which are contained in our Special Inspection Agreement.

Every permit issued shall become expired unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work commenced. To obtain a new permit and recommence work, please complete the Request to Reactivate an Expired Permit Form.

All permits issued require an inspection during and/or at completion of the work. Scheduling inspections is the responsibility of the applicant / contractor. Depending on the type of project, the following inspections are required: 

• Foundation - after trenches are excavated, forms erected and steel is in place. 
• Underfloor - after the installation of underfloor framing, heating ducts and plumbing. 
• Underfloor Insulation - after the floor insulation is installed, but prior to installation of the subfloor. 
• Roof Nail - after installation and nailing of the roof sheathing. 
• Rough Frame - after the roof, all framing, fire blocking, siding, lath and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys, vents, rough electrical and plumbing are installed. 
• Insulation - after the wall and ceiling insulation is installed. 
• Drywall Nail - after the drywall is installed and prior to tape or texture. 
• Final - after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy. 

Not all of the inspections listed above will apply to every job. If uncertain which inspections pertain, please check with the Building Inspection Division. More information can be found on the Inspections page.

Schedule, reschedule or cancel an inspection by text message.  If assistance is needed, the Community Development Department can be reached at 510-724-8912.  Note: the City expects to launch online tools to schedule inspections in early 2024.

• Text the following to 866-473-3524:
  •  "SCHEDULE" to schedule an inspection
  • "CANCEL" to cancel an inspection
  • "RESCHEDULE" to reschedule an inspection
• You'll need your Building Permit Number.
• You'll need the associated Inspection Code of the inspection you are calling to schedule. Full list of codes are provided in the instruction document.
• Inspection requests require 24-hour notice. 

More information (when inspections are available, how to receive inspection results and important inspection information) can be found on the Inspections page.

Inspection results are currently available by text message. If assistance is needed, the Community Development Department can be reached at 510-724-8912. Note: the City expects to launch online tools to schedule inspections in early 2024.

• Text "RESULTS"  to 866-473-3524
• You'll need your Building Permit Number.
• You'll need the associated Inspection Code of the inspection you are calling to obtain results. Full list of codes are provided in the instruction document.

Yes! The City of Pinole requires that rental units in the City be registered and inspected regularly to meet habitability and safety standards. The intent of the Ordinance is to ensure that rental stock is maintained and compliant with City Codes.
Learn more about the Rental Program Requirements and Process on the Inspections page.