Antioch, California · Contra Costa County · 2026 Guide
Antioch Building Permits & Inspections: Quick Guide
Need a building permit, inspection, or construction approval in Antioch, California? The City of Antioch Building Services Division reviews building plans, issues construction permits, and inspects permitted work within its jurisdiction. Applications, payments, permit searches, and inspection requests are available through the city’s Civic Access online permitting system.
For building permits or inspections, contact the Antioch Building Division at (925) 779-7065, or use the city’s official online permitting page. The Building Division is located on the second floor of City Hall at 200 H Street.
Antioch Building Department Contact Information
| Official department | City of Antioch Building Services Division |
|---|---|
| Government | City of Antioch, Contra Costa County, California |
| Office address | 200 H Street, 2nd Floor, City Hall, Antioch, CA 94509 |
| Building Division phone | (925) 779-7065 |
| Building inspection recorder | (925) 779-7066 |
| Monday–Thursday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; closed noon–1:00 PM |
| Friday | By appointment only |
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| Official website | Antioch Building Division |
Office hours are different from field inspection hours. Verify holiday schedules or appointment availability before visiting.
How to Apply for a Building Permit in Antioch
Antioch uses the Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) Civic Access Portal. Applicants can submit supported building permit applications electronically, upload construction documents, track records, and pay permit invoices.
- Check your property’s jurisdiction. Confirm that the project address falls within Antioch city limits. Properties outside the city may be handled by Contra Costa County or another local authority.
- Identify the permit type. Determine whether your work involves new construction, an addition, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing, mechanical equipment, roofing, demolition, or another regulated activity.
- Check zoning requirements. Review setbacks, building height, lot coverage, land use, and any Planning Division approval needed for your property.
- Prepare your documents. Gather plans, project details, contractor or owner-builder information, and the applicable residential or commercial checklist.
- Open the official portal. Visit Antioch Online Permitting, then select the Civic Access Portal link.
- Create an account or sign in. Choose the appropriate building permit application, enter the property and project details, and upload the required files.
- Submit and monitor the application. Respond to plan-review corrections or requests for additional documentation. Pay applicable invoices through the authorized portal.
- Obtain permit issuance. Keep the approved permit and plans available before commencing work requiring authorization.
For screenshots and instructions on using the system, consult the city’s Civic Access User Guide (PDF).
Which Construction Projects Require Permits?
Permit requirements depend on the work, existing conditions, and applicable building and zoning rules. The following examples help identify the type of approval to check.
| Project | Permit guidance |
|---|---|
| New house or room addition | Building permit and plan review are generally required. |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel | Check whether structural, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work requires permits. |
| Roof replacement | Review reroof permit requirements. Solar panel removal and reinstallation may need an additional permit. |
| Decks and patio covers | Permit requirements depend on construction type, dimensions, attachment, and applicable codes. |
| Swimming pool or spa | Building approval and applicable pool-safety requirements generally apply. |
| Solar panels or battery storage | Check the applicable solar permit process and SolarAPP+ eligibility. |
| Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) | Requires applicable Planning and Building Division review and building permit approval. |
| Commercial tenant improvement | Building permit and possible fire, accessibility, and other agency reviews. |
Projects Antioch Lists as Building-Permit Exempt
The city’s published examples include certain limited work:
- One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet, provided they have no plumbing or electrical work, are under eight feet high, and are not used for habitation.
- Retaining walls three feet high or less, subject to applicable conditions.
- Most residential concrete flatwork.
- Landscape sprinkler systems.
- Replacement fences up to six feet in rear or side yards, or three feet in front yards, under the city’s stated exemption.
Residential & Commercial Permit Documents
Incomplete construction documents can delay review or prevent an application from being accepted. Antioch provides separate residential and commercial submission checklists.
Residential Projects
Depending on the project, applicants should prepare:
- Project address, owner information, and a clear description of the proposed work.
- A site plan showing property dimensions, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, access, and easements.
- Floor plans, exterior elevations, sections, and roof details where applicable.
- Foundation, framing, and structural information appropriate to the project.
- Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and California energy-compliance documents as applicable.
- Planning conditions of approval, engineering calculations, and other required supporting documents.
View Antioch Residential Permit Checklist (PDF) ↗
Commercial Construction & Tenant Improvements
Commercial applications generally require complete construction plans, applicable structural calculations, energy documentation, and additional technical reports depending on the scope. New commercial buildings may also require geotechnical reports and roof-truss calculations.
View Commercial Permit Checklist (PDF) ↗
Antioch publishes general single-family development standards that include a 35-foot maximum building height, a 20-foot front setback, five-foot interior side setback, 10-foot corner side setback, and 20-foot rear setback. These are general standards, not automatic approval for every lot. District-specific rules and exceptions may apply.
Confirm your parcel’s actual requirements on the official requirements page before preparing final plans.
Schedule a Building Inspection in Antioch
Most building inspection requests can be managed through Civic Access once the relevant permit and inspection stages are available.
- Open the Antioch permitting page and sign in to Civic Access.
- Locate your building permit record.
- Open the Inspections tab.
- Select the available inspection using its checkbox, then choose Request Inspections.
- Enter the requested inspection date, time window, and relevant access instructions or gate code.
- Submit your request and confirm its scheduling status before relying on the appointment.
| Inspection window | Published field hours |
|---|---|
| Morning (AM) | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| Afternoon (PM) | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM |
| Friday | Limited availability; city recommends requesting at least three business days in advance |
Before the inspector arrives: Have the city-approved plans and permit available at the job site. Ensure the relevant work is ready, accessible, and not concealed before its required inspection. For solar inspections, additional on-site documents may apply.
For illustrated instructions, see the city’s inspection scheduling guide (PDF). Confirmation instructions are available on the official Building Division FAQ page.
What If an Inspection Fails?
Review the inspector’s correction comments, complete the required work, and request the appropriate follow-up inspection. Do not cover work that still requires approval. The city may assess reinspection charges in circumstances described in its fee schedule.
Antioch Building Permit Fees in 2026
Permit costs are not a single flat amount. Antioch uses project valuation, building area, permit classification, and applicable supplemental charges to calculate fees.
The city’s Master Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026 includes the following fee structures:
| Fee category | 2026 published basis |
|---|---|
| Building permits | Applicable valuation-based calculation and minimum fees |
| Building plan check | 67% of building permit fee where applicable |
| Technology fee | 7.5% of building permit fee |
| Energy inspection fee | 2% of building permit fee |
| Nonresidential accessibility fee | 2% of building permit fee |
| Development impact fees | Project-specific rates and applicable exemptions or deferrals |
| Reinspection | Additional charges may apply under the adopted fee schedule |
Some fees are calculated from construction valuation rather than charged directly for each square foot. A small renovation and a new commercial building will therefore have very different totals. Additional school, fire, water, sewer, or development charges may apply.
Read the official July 2026 Master Fee Schedule (PDF) ↗
Building Codes Enforced in Antioch for 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, Antioch enforces the 2025 California Building Standards Code, published as California Code of Regulations, Title 24, together with applicable local requirements.
Relevant code subjects include:
- Building and residential construction.
- Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing installations.
- Energy efficiency and California green building standards (CALGreen).
- Fire and life safety requirements.
- Existing buildings, accessibility, and specialized construction requirements.
Applicable editions, amendments, permit application dates, and project-specific requirements should be confirmed during plan preparation.
View California’s official building code resources ↗
Special Permits & Other Agency Approvals
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
ADU projects generally require building plans and a permit application, with Planning Division review for applicable zoning and development standards. Check utility connections, energy requirements, structural design, and any special site constraints before submitting.
For existing unpermitted ADUs, contact the Building Division about available legalization procedures rather than assuming the structure can be approved automatically.
Solar Permits
Antioch supports SolarAPP+ for eligible residential rooftop photovoltaic projects submitted by registered contractors. Qualified applicants complete SolarAPP+ review, then submit the required approval documents through the city’s permitting portal and arrange inspections.
View Antioch Solar Permit Instructions ↗
Reroofing With Existing Solar Panels
Antioch’s Building Division states that reroofing a property with an existing photovoltaic system requires separate authorization for the reroof and the removal and reinstallation of the solar system. Coordinate both scopes before scheduling work.
Public Right-of-Way Work
Construction affecting streets, sidewalks, public easements, driveway curb cuts, or other public rights-of-way may also require an encroachment permit administered by Antioch’s Engineering and Development Services Division.
View Official Encroachment Permit Information ↗
Commercial Fire & Environmental Health Reviews
Commercial construction may need additional Contra Costa County Fire Protection District review. Food-serving establishments may also require Contra Costa Health Environmental Health approval. New water meters and related charges may involve the Contra Costa Water District, separately from the building permit.
Find an Existing Antioch Permit or Check Status
To research a building permit or an application already submitted:
- Visit the city’s Civic Access entry page.
- Open the official portal and find its records search.
- Search by the property address or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN).
- Select the appropriate record to review available permit details and status.
- Sign in if the action or information requires account access.
- Contact Building Services if an older permit is not visible or you need clarification.
Public search results may not contain every historical document, correction, or inspection record. For older records or unresolved status questions, contact the city directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Antioch Building Department located?
The City of Antioch Building Services Division is at 200 H Street, second floor of City Hall, Antioch, CA 94509. Call (925) 779-7065 for building permit questions.
2. Can I apply for an Antioch building permit online?
Yes. Antioch’s Civic Access Portal accepts supported building permit applications and provides online document management, permit records, inspection requests, and invoice payments. Start from the city’s official Online Permitting System page.
3. What are the Antioch Building Division office hours?
The published hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a noon to 1:00 PM lunch closure. Friday service is by appointment only.
4. How do I schedule a building inspection in Antioch?
Sign in to Civic Access, open your permit record, select the Inspections tab, choose an available inspection, and submit the requested date and time. Morning inspections run 9:00 AM to noon, and afternoon inspections run noon to 3:00 PM. Confirm the appointment status.
5. Do I need a permit for a shed in Antioch?
Antioch lists certain one-story detached sheds under 120 square feet as building-permit exempt if they are under eight feet high, have no electrical or plumbing work, and are not used for habitation. Zoning, setbacks, easements, and other restrictions still apply.
6. How much does a building permit cost in Antioch?
The cost depends on the project valuation, size, permit category, plan review, and applicable charges. Antioch’s July 2026 fee schedule lists a 67% plan-check fee relative to the building permit fee where applicable, plus other potential charges. Check the official schedule for your project.
7. Which building codes apply in Antioch in 2026?
Antioch enforces the 2025 California Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2026, along with applicable local requirements. The relevant code provisions depend on the project and permit application circumstances.
8. How can I check my Antioch building permit status?
Use the Civic Access Portal to search for your permit or property by address or APN. Open the matching record to review available status information. Contact Building Services if the record or information you need is unavailable.
9. Do I need separate permits for reroofing and solar panel removal?
Yes, when reroofing a building with an existing solar photovoltaic system, Antioch states that a reroof permit and a separate solar photovoltaic removal and reinstallation permit are required.
10. What happens if my Antioch building inspection fails?
Review the inspector’s comments, correct the identified issues, and request the required follow-up inspection. Keep regulated work accessible until approval. Additional reinspection fees may apply in circumstances covered by the city’s fee schedule.
Official Antioch Building Resources
These primary sources provide permit forms, requirements, inspection instructions, and current fee information:
- City of Antioch Building Division
- Online Permit Applications & Civic Access
- Residential & Commercial Permit Requirements
- Building Inspection Guides & FAQs
- Current City Master Fee Schedules
- California Building Standards Code
Information reviewed: October 8, 2026. Fees, procedures, office hours, and regulations may change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Antioch or any government agency. The official government determines permit requirements and approvals.