Permits and other Services Available from Building and Safety
Ventura County Building and Safety issues Building Permits for construction of buildings, structures, and other projects, like installations of new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fixtures and equipment.
B&S also offers and provides a variety of Building and Safety services associated with the enforcement and administration of State and local Building Codes.
Work that is exempt from Building Permits
Generally, most construction work is required to have a permit so that the construction work can be reviewed, inspected, and documented by Building and Safety to ensure the installation is safe and meets or exceeds the applicable construction standards. Work that is exempt from a permit is not reviewed or inspected by B&S but must be constructed in a manner that is safe and meets applicable standards. Some of these standards may be enforced by other agencies or Departments, like Planning, the Public Works Agency, Environmental Health Department, or the Fire Department. Applicable standards for your project are determined by the nature of your project, the size and scope of your project, and the project location. If you are unsure of the provisions that may apply to your small project, please inquire with these agencies or with Building and Safety for guidance. .
You can view a listing of work that is exempt from a Building Permit, in Section 105.2 of the Ventura County Building Code (VCBC).
You can view a listing of work that is exempt from Electrical Permit, in Section 105.2 of the Ventura County Building Code (VCBC).
You can view a listing of work that is exempt from Mechanical Permits, in Section 104.2 of the California Mechanical Code (CMC).
You can view a listing of work that is exempt from Plumbing Permits in Section 104.2 of the California Plumbing Code (CPC).
Different Permit Types issued by B&S
Building and Safety issues various permit types for projects in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County:
1. Combination (Combo) Permits. These are Building Permits for new buildings and structures, additions, and/or alterations that include plumbing, mechanical, and/or electrical work.
2. Building Permits (Single trade). These are permits for construction work that does not include plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems, equipment, or fixtures. Projects that need a Building Permit (Single trade) can include new buildings and structures such as patio covers, decks, carports, storage, sheds, and retaining walls. Work to existing buildings such as re-roofing, window replacements, structural repairs, and similar work where no plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work is being done can also be permitted under a Building Permit and not a Combo Permit.
3. Electrical Permits. These are permits for electrical installations, including electrical conduit, lights, switches, outlets, electrical panels, switchgear, and other electrical equipment regulated by the California Electrical Code, including consequential minor work associated with the electrical installation, such as minor drywall or stucco patchwork and repairs.
4. Plumbing Permits. These are permits for plumbing installations, including water, waste, drain, and vent pipe, fuel gas piping, plumbing fixtures, and other plumbing work regulated by the California Plumbing Code and consequential minor work associated with the plumbing installation, such as minor drywall or stucco patchwork and repairs.
5. Mechanical Permits. These are permits for mechanical installations, including ducts, fans, heating and air conditioning equipment, and other air-handling mechanical equipment and work regulated by the California Mechanical Code and consequential minor work associated with the mechanical installation, such as minor drywall or stucco patchwork and repairs.
6. Demolition Permits. These are permits for the demolition of an existing building or structure.
7. Annual Maintenance Permits. These are permits for maintenance work in non-residential or multi-residential buildings or multi-building complexes. These permits are intended to facilitate the inspection of minor maintenance work for these buildings without the need for separate permits for each maintenance project at the site or facility.
Other B&S Services
In addition to the issuance of Building Permits, B&S provides a variety of other B&S services, including those listed below. For a listing of applicable fees for these services see the B&S Adopted Fee Schedule.
Record searches. Upon request, B&S will conduct a search of archived B&S records to determine the permit history for an existing building. This service is provided free of charge. For more information on the B&S records that are available for viewing, see Building Permit Records.
Issuance of new building address. Building and Safety issues addresses for new buildings during the Building Permit process before a building is permitted to begin construction. B&S can sometimes also issue a new address for existing buildings that have an addressing error, or an obsolete address, such as when a new street is constructed, and the building address should be referenced to the new street. Upon request, Building and Safety can also issue an address to vacant parcel that is not land-locked.
Inspection-only services. When not associated with a specific Building Permit, and upon request, B&S will conduct an inspection for an existing building to establish permitting requirements.
Plan Review-only services. When not associated with a specific Building Permit, and upon request, B&S will review your project plans for conformance with Building Code provisions.
Off hours inspections. Upon request, Building and Safety can schedule an inspection outside normal business hours, with advance notice and upon availability of inspection staff.
Preparation of reports for Building Permit data. Upon request, B&S can prepare special Building Permit data reports with public records data from Ventura County Building Permit records going back to the year 1999.
Special Review of proposed Alternate Design or Alternate Construction Method. Upon request, designers and builders can propose alternate design and construction methods that are ordinarily not approved or addressed by the Building Code, but which may be acceptable under special circumstances and considerations. B&S will review a request for approval of an Alternate Design/Construction method and approve these on a case by case basis, when extenuating circumstances exist, and a finding is made by the Department that the proposal is consistent with the intent of the Code.
