Campbell Building Permits, Inspections & Department Services
The City of Campbell Building Inspection Division, within the Community Development Department, handles building permit applications, plan review, permit issuance and construction inspections for properties inside Campbell city limits.
Quick answer: Start by identifying the correct Campbell permit application group and any Planning or Public Works approvals your project needs. Submit the building application and plans through MGO Connect. After the permit is issued, request required inspections through the same system before covering inspected work.
Community Development Department
70 N. First Street
Campbell, CA 95008
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
What the Campbell Building Division Handles
The Building Inspection Division reviews construction plans for code compliance, issues construction permits and inspects permitted work. It is the main city contact for building, structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit questions.
Other city or regional agencies can become involved depending on the project. Planning may review zoning, land use, historic-property or development issues; Public Works may review grading, drainage or work in the public right-of-way; and fire-related reviews may involve the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Common Campbell Building Permit Types
Campbell organizes building applications into broad application groups rather than requiring applicants to guess from hundreds of individual permit names.
| Application group | Common examples |
|---|---|
| General Trade / MEP | Water heaters, electrical service upgrades, reroofing, sewer-line work and similar mechanical, electrical or plumbing projects. |
| Residential Remodel | Kitchens, bathrooms, whole-house remodels, interior ADUs, garage conversions, JADUs, porches, patios, windows, foundation repairs and exterior alterations. |
| Residential New Construction | New single-family dwellings, detached ADUs, additions and attached ADUs. |
| Commercial Remodel | Tenant improvements, interior demolition, changes of occupancy and storefront work. |
| Commercial New Construction | Office, retail, industrial, apartment, townhome, condominium, institutional and similar new buildings. |
| Grading / Site Improvements | Parking-lot work, accessibility improvements, grading and site improvements tied to development projects. |
| Simple Construction | Fences, walls, electric gates, accessory structures, pools, signs, generators and related equipment. |
| Renewable Energy | Solar photovoltaic systems, EV chargers and energy-storage systems. |
| Demolition / Miscellaneous | Whole or partial demolition, expired-permit completion, emergency repairs, addressing requests and certain unusual permit actions. |
Use Campbell’s official Building Application Guides to match your project with the correct application group before uploading documents.
Do You Need a Building Permit in Campbell?
New construction, additions, structural alterations and many electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing and equipment projects normally require a permit. Some limited work can qualify for an exemption, but zoning and other rules may still apply.
| Project example | Campbell guidance |
|---|---|
| Small detached shed | An accessory structure under 120 sq. ft. without electrical, plumbing or mechanical utilities may be exempt from a building permit. Zoning setbacks, lot coverage and other development standards still apply. |
| Larger shed | A shed greater than 120 sq. ft. requires a building permit. |
| Fence or wall | Campbell’s published simple-construction guide states that fences taller than 7 ft., walls taller than 3 ft. and all electric gates require a building permit. Planning approval can also be required depending on height and location. |
| Residential reroof | Campbell publishes a specific reroof permit checklist and processes this work through its building-permit system. |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel | Use the Residential Remodel application group; electrical, plumbing, mechanical or structural scope can trigger permit and plan requirements. |
| Pool / spa | Use the Simple Construction application group and follow applicable barrier, electrical, plumbing and safety requirements. |
| Work in sidewalk, curb or street area | A Public Works encroachment permit may be required in addition to any building permit. |
How to Apply for a Campbell Building Permit
-
Confirm the property is in Campbell.
Check the property location and zoning before preparing a City of Campbell application. For zoning information, use the City’s Zoning and Land Use resources. -
Identify approvals needed before building review.
Determine whether Planning, Public Works, fire, sanitation or another agency must review the project. Historic properties, commercial changes, major development and right-of-way work commonly need additional review. -
Select the correct building application group.
Open the City’s Building Application Guides and match the scope of work to the closest group. -
Prepare the required plans and forms.
Follow the project-specific checklist. Incomplete applications can delay intake or plan review. -
Create an MGO Connect account.
Go to MGO Connect, create or sign into your account and select the Campbell jurisdiction and appropriate permit application. -
Upload the documents and submit.
Attach the required drawings, forms, calculations and supporting documents. Review the submission carefully before pressing the final submit option. -
Respond to plan-check comments.
Monitor MGO for comments, invoices and correction requests. When revised documents are requested, answer each review comment clearly and upload the revised material using the City’s required process. -
Pay required fees and obtain the issued permit.
Do not begin regulated construction merely because an application has been submitted. Start permit-required work only after the applicable permit has been issued.
Documents to Prepare Before You Apply
The exact submittal package depends on the project, but applicants commonly need some combination of the following:
- Project address, parcel information and owner details.
- Applicant and contractor information.
- Project description and estimated construction valuation.
- Site plan showing property lines, structures and proposed work.
- Floor plans, elevations and construction details.
- Structural drawings and calculations when required.
- California Title 24 energy documentation when applicable.
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical information.
- CALGreen or construction-waste documentation when applicable.
- Planning approvals or entitlement documents when required.
- Owner-builder documentation if the property owner is acting as owner-builder.
- Project-specific forms such as demolition, special inspection, electrical-load, reroof or water-conservation forms.
Campbell maintains a substantial library of project forms, handouts and sample documents on its Building Handouts and Forms page.
How Long Does a Campbell Building Permit Take?
Processing time depends on project complexity, completeness, workload and whether other departments or agencies must review the plans.
| Situation | Published Campbell guidance |
|---|---|
| Simple permit | Some straightforward permits, such as certain reroof permits, may be issued over the counter or through a simplified process. |
| Code-compliant residential remodel | Campbell states that these generally take about 2–4 weeks to issue. |
| Resubmittal after corrections | Subsequent department or agency reviews may take another 2–4 weeks. |
| Complex / multi-agency project | Allow additional time for Planning, Public Works, fire, third-party plan check, engineering or other review. |
These are planning ranges, not guaranteed approval deadlines. A complete first submittal is usually the most effective way to avoid preventable delay.
Campbell Building Permit Fees in 2026
The City of Campbell’s FY 2026–27 Master Fee Schedule became effective July 1, 2026. Building permit charges are generally tied to valuation, with additional plan-review, inspection, trade and project-specific fees where applicable.
| Selected FY 2026–27 building fee | Published amount / basis |
|---|---|
| Minimum building permit fee | $237 |
| First $500,000 of project valuation | 2.00% of valuation |
| $500,001–$1,000,000 portion | 1.66% of valuation |
| Valuation above $1,000,000 | 1.00% of that portion |
| Base fee per plumbing, electrical or mechanical trade | $237 |
| Plan-check fee | 33% of building permit fee |
| Title 24 plan-check fee | $237 each |
| Fire plan-check minimum | $119, or 10% of building permit fee if greater |
| Demolition of structure permit | $1,423 |
| Added plan check for revisions | $237/hour, one-hour minimum |
| Reinspection | $237/hour; must be paid before the next inspection |
| Building without permit / stop-work case | 2× permit fee |
Other charges can include state-mandated fees, construction-license tax, technology, training, General Plan maintenance, stormwater, fire and other project-specific charges. The final invoice depends on the actual project scope.
How to Schedule a Building Inspection in Campbell
Once a permit has been issued and the work reaches a required inspection stage, request the inspection through MGO Connect. Campbell also allows inspection requests by phone through MGO support at (866) 957-3764.
- Sign into MGO Connect. Open your account and locate the applicable permit under your permit records.
- Select Request Inspection. Choose the inspection type required for the work that is ready.
- Select the requested date. The City’s linked inspection handout states that requests submitted before midnight for the following business day are guaranteed unless the assigned inspector advises otherwise.
- Add site-contact details. Include the name and phone number of the person who can meet the inspector and place any useful access information in the notes.
- Request an AM or PM window. The City’s current inspection page lists an AM window of 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and a PM window of 12:30 PM–5:00 PM. Enter the preference in the Notes field.
- Submit the request. Make sure the request is actually submitted to the jurisdiction, not merely saved.
- Prepare the jobsite. Keep the permit, approved plans and work accessible. Do not cover work that still requires inspection.
Typical Inspection Sequence
Not every project needs every inspection, but Campbell’s published inspection sequence includes the following stages where applicable:
| Construction stage | Examples of inspections |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Footings, foundation work, underfloor utilities and framing. |
| Slab / structural | Concrete or post-tension slab, collector nailing, exterior shear and roof nailing. |
| Weather enclosure | Exterior lath or siding and other work needed before certain rough inspections. |
| Rough trades | Rough plumbing, mechanical, electrical and gas before rough-frame approval. |
| Framing / insulation | Rough frame, interior shear and wall or ceiling insulation. |
| Interior finish stages | Sheetrock nailing, interior lath, cement board, shower-pan and related inspections. |
| Finals | Final plumbing, mechanical, electrical, Planning, Public Works, Fire and energy-compliance items as applicable, followed by building final. |
Campbell also offers remote video inspections for certain eligible inspection types at the City’s discretion. Check the official inspection page for current eligibility and procedures.
Campbell Construction Hours
The City’s current inspection guidance publishes the following construction-hour limits:
Public projects may have separate exceptions. Construction-noise restrictions also apply, so permitted work hours do not authorize unreasonable nuisance noise.
Campbell Building Codes for 2026
For 2026 projects, Campbell is operating under the 2025 California Building Standards Code cycle together with City-adopted local amendments and other applicable municipal requirements.
- 2025 California Building Code
- 2025 California Residential Code
- 2025 California Electrical Code
- 2025 California Mechanical Code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code
- 2025 California Energy Code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
- 2025 California Fire Code
- 2025 California Existing Building Code
- 2025 California Historical Building Code
- 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface requirements where applicable
- Campbell Municipal Code and locally adopted amendments
The exact code set can depend on the permit’s application date, project type and transitional rules. Do not assume that a previously approved project automatically moves to a newer code edition.
Important Campbell-Specific Requirements
Air Quality / Zero-NOx Requirements
Campbell adopted an Air Quality Ordinance in 2024 addressing NOx-emitting appliances and equipment in new residential and commercial buildings and certain substantial rebuilds. The City’s Building page identifies requirements affecting space conditioning, water heating, cooking and clothes drying, with limited exemptions for specified uses.
If your project includes gas-fired appliances or is a substantial rebuild, confirm the current appliance and energy requirements during design rather than waiting for plan-check corrections.
Planning Approval May Come First
Many straightforward single-family projects can move directly through Building, but Planning review may be required for zoning exceptions, historic properties, commercial development, land-use changes, signs and other discretionary work.
Public Right-of-Way Work Is Separate
Work affecting sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveways, streets or other public right-of-way can require a Public Works encroachment permit. Public Works instructs contractors to arrange required construction inspection before beginning right-of-way work.
Contractor Licensing
Before hiring a contractor, verify the contractor’s California license and classification through the California Contractors State License Board. Permit issuance does not replace your responsibility to verify licensing, insurance and project-specific qualifications.
How to Check Permit Status, Property Activity or Existing Records
| What you need | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Your submitted permit | Sign into MGO Connect and review the permit record, comments, invoices and inspection activity. |
| Existing permit status | Use the public MGO permit search available from Campbell’s Building page. |
| Nearby construction activity | Use Campbell’s Permit Map linked from the official Building page. |
| Property information | Use the City’s property, GIS and zoning resources to verify jurisdiction and development information. |
| Older records or documents | Use the City’s public-records process or contact Building at (408) 866-2130. |
| Suspected unpermitted construction | Use Campbell Code Enforcement / MGO complaint services rather than attempting to resolve it through a new standard permit application. |
Common Problems and the Fastest Next Step
| Problem | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Not sure which permit category to select | Review the official application groups, then call Building at (408) 866-2130 before submitting under the wrong group. |
| Plans returned with corrections | Prepare a point-by-point response and revised plans; answer every reviewer comment rather than uploading drawings without explanation. |
| Inspection request does not appear scheduled | Confirm the request was submitted to the jurisdiction in MGO. For technical or scheduling help, call MGO at (866) 957-3764. |
| Inspector cannot approve work | Correct the cited items, keep the work exposed, pay any applicable reinspection fee and request the appropriate reinspection. |
| Project changes after permit issuance | Ask Building whether revised plans must be approved before constructing the change. Campbell charges additional plan-check fees for revisions where applicable. |
| Work already completed without a permit | Contact Building before concealing or modifying more work. Campbell’s fee schedule includes additional charges for building without a permit / stop-work cases. |
Official Campbell Building Permit Resources
Department page, contacts and permit services ↗
Apply, manage permits and request inspections ↗
Choose the correct project application group ↗
Checklists, forms, samples and inspection handouts ↗
Scheduling, time windows and remote inspections ↗
Current City fee schedules ↗
Zoning map, codes and local rules ↗
Planning permits and application checklists ↗
Related California Building Department Guides
If you are comparing permitting procedures in other California jurisdictions, these USBuilding.org guides may also help:
Campbell Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Campbell Building Department located?
The City of Campbell Building Inspection Division is located in the upper level of City Hall at 70 N. First Street, Campbell, CA 95008. The Building Division phone number is (408) 866-2130.
2. Can I apply for a Campbell building permit online?
Yes. Campbell accepts building permit applications through MGO Connect. Create an account, select the appropriate Campbell application group, upload the required plans and documents, and submit the application for review.
3. How much is a Campbell building permit in 2026?
The FY 2026–27 schedule lists a $237 minimum building permit fee. Valuation-based building fees are 2.00% on the first $500,000 of valuation, 1.66% on the next $500,000 and 1.00% on valuation above $1 million. Plan review and other project-specific charges can also apply.
4. How long does a Campbell building permit take?
Campbell states that simple permits may be handled quickly, while code-compliant residential remodel permits generally take about two to four weeks. Correction cycles can add another two to four weeks, and complex projects may take longer.
5. How do I schedule a Campbell building inspection?
Sign into MGO Connect, locate your permit and choose the inspection-request option. Select the inspection and date, add your contact information and AM/PM preference, then submit the request. MGO inspection assistance is available at (866) 957-3764.
6. What are Campbell’s inspection time windows?
The City’s current inspection page lists an AM window of 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and a PM window of 12:30 PM–5:00 PM. Add your preferred window in the Notes field when requesting the inspection; a preferred window is not the same as a guaranteed appointment time.
7. Does a small shed need a building permit in Campbell?
A qualifying accessory structure under 120 square feet without electrical, plumbing or mechanical utilities may not require a building permit. It still must comply with applicable zoning requirements such as setbacks, lot coverage and development standards.
8. Which building codes apply in Campbell in 2026?
Campbell uses the 2025 California Building Standards Code cycle for current 2026 work, together with applicable City amendments and local requirements. This includes building, residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy, CALGreen, fire and other applicable Title 24 codes.
9. What are the allowed construction hours in Campbell?
The City’s current guidance lists construction hours of 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Saturday, with no regular construction work on Sundays or applicable holidays.
10. How can I check the status of a Campbell building permit?
Use MGO Connect to review your application or permit record, comments, invoices and inspection information. Campbell also links to permit-status search and a city Permit Map from its official Building page.
Before You Start Construction
Confirm the permit type, zoning requirements and required approvals before ordering major materials or starting permit-required work. Once the permit is issued, follow the approved plans and required inspection sequence through final approval.
Independent information: USBuilding.org is not the City of Campbell or a government agency. Property-specific requirements can change based on project scope, parcel conditions and current law. Use the official City links above for applications, payments and final determinations.