Building Division

The Building Division is responsible for a wide range of functions related to community change, enhancement and preservation. The Building Division reviews all development applications to ensure consistency with community standards and protection of public safety and health; and ensures that projects are designed and constructed to meet community needs and are in conformance with all applicable codes.

The Building Division strives to provide vision and leadership within the context of innovative, high quality, equitable and efficient services which encompass and reflect community values. 

The City of Benicia City Hall offices are closed every other Friday. During these closure days there will be no building inspections. Please plan accordingly. Click here to view 2021 office closure days.
 
CURRENT BUILDING DIVISION TIMELINES:

Submittal (drop box)           3-5 working days

Typical Plan review            up to 10 working days

Larger Plan Review            10-20 working days

Plan Review letter(s)          up to 3 working days after plan review

Phone Calls / Email            up to 2 working days

Payment and issuance       up to 2 working days after approval

BUILDING INSPECTIONS: 

Building Inspection requests must be submitted by 3:00 PM the business day prior to your inspection. Inspections can be scheduled online at https://aca.accela.com/benicia; follow the link and register to begin scheduling online. AM/PM requests cannot be accommodated at this time.

Please see the City of Benicia website for 9/80 closure Fridays. Inspections requested on a 9/80 closure day will be scheduled for the following Tuesday. Inspection 3-hour windows will be provided the morning of your inspection, please call 707-746-4329 for your recorded times.

The inspector will be required to maintain social distancing of a minimum of six (6) feet from all people and wear gloves and a mask during the inspection. In some cases, the inspector may request video or photos to be supplied by the contractor/applicant at the time of inspection to verify compliance without entering a building, constricted spaces, or poorly ventilated areas. The inspection shall be canceled by the inspector or applicant prior to the inspector entering the home or business if a known person with symptoms of fever, coughing, headaches, sneezing, etc. is occupying or has occupied the structure within the last 14 days. If a known COVID-19 carrier is sheltered at home, and an emergency inspection is required, please contact the Building Official at Building@ci.benicia.ca.us at least 24 hours before inspection is requested for instructions on how to proceed.

PERMITTING SERVICES

Please obtain a permit application found under forms on the Building Forms and Information link below. Complete the form on both sides.
  • If you are a homeowner, you will not fill out the area regarding workers comp.
  • If the permit is commercial you will not need to fill in the area regarding age of the home.
  • In-take for large plan submittals entering the 10-15 day business day plan review process require an application along with all supporting documentation (such as Structural Calculations, Title 24 Energy, soils reports)
  • Initial plan review fee covers 1st plan review and 1st recheck. 3rd and subsequent reviews are based on an hourly basis.
Upload the signed and initialed application along with a complete set of plans and any supporting documents using the orange button on the left-hand side of this page. Staff will reach out to you to arrange a payment appointment and complete the intake of your permit application. The City is currently accepting credit card and checks for payment. 

The Building Division will not accept paper for plan review or resubmittals. Email submittals are not accepted.