The Brea Building Department, officially the City of Brea Building & Safety Division, handles construction permits, plan reviews, building inspections, and related building-code requirements in Brea, California. Residents, property owners, and contractors can apply for permits, check application progress, and request inspections through the city’s online permit center.
Brea Building & Safety: Contact and Office Details
| Official department | City of Brea Building & Safety Division |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821 |
| Main telephone | (714) 990-7600 |
| building@cityofbrea.gov | |
| Front counter hours | Monday–Thursday and alternate Fridays, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific Time |
| Online applications | Available through the city’s permit portal |
| Code enforcement | (714) 990-7764 |
| Official department page | City of Brea Building & Safety |
Office schedules may vary on holidays and alternate Fridays. Confirm counter availability before visiting.
What Do You Need to Do?
Submit construction applications, drawings, and supporting documents through the Brea Permit Center.
Use the official inspection page for scheduling rules and instructions.
Search records and follow review progress in the online portal.
Find project charges in the city’s 2026 Development Fees PDF.
How to Apply for a Brea Building Permit
Brea accepts building permit and plan-check applications electronically. Its permit system also supports online payments, document submissions, and record searches.
- Confirm your project address. Make sure the property is within the City of Brea’s permitting jurisdiction. A Brea mailing address alone does not establish city jurisdiction.
- Identify the permit type. Determine whether your project requires a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or other construction permit. Ask Building & Safety if the classification is unclear.
- Prepare your documents. Depending on the work, these may include a site plan, floor plans, construction drawings, structural calculations, energy-compliance documents, contractor information, and project valuation.
- Open the official portal. Visit Brea Online Permit Center.
- Create an account. Register or sign in, then navigate to the appropriate application service and complete the requested project information.
- Upload plans and forms. Attach the applicable documents, review the submission, and submit it for processing.
- Notify the department. Brea specifically instructs applicants to email building@cityofbrea.gov after uploading requested documents or resubmissions so they can be reviewed promptly.
- Track review and corrections. Check the portal for review progress and respond to requests for revised plans or additional information.
- Pay applicable charges. Follow the official payment instructions when fees become due and retain your receipt.
- Obtain approval before work. Begin permit-required construction only after the applicable permit has been issued. Schedule required inspections as the work progresses.
Which Projects May Need Permits?
The required permit depends on the scope of construction, the property, and applicable Brea codes. Common project categories include:
| Project | What to check before starting |
|---|---|
| Room additions or ADUs | Building approval, zoning, structural plans, utility connections, and applicable energy standards. |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodeling | Whether plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or structural work requires permits. |
| Roof replacement | The city’s reroof submittal guidelines and applicable roofing requirements. |
| Electrical upgrades | Electrical permits, service equipment requirements, and inspections. |
| HVAC replacement | Mechanical permits, equipment specifications, and energy-code compliance. |
| Decks, patios, fences, and sheds | Size, height, location, zoning setbacks, structural work, and any permit exemptions. |
| Commercial alterations | Tenant improvements, accessibility, fire-safety review, and occupancy requirements. |
| Demolition or grading | Building or grading approvals, utility precautions, and other required agency reviews. |
Important: This table is a project-screening guide, not a determination that every listed project requires a permit. Brea’s municipal code includes permit exemptions and local amendments. Confirm your particular work before relying on an exemption.
Brea Building Inspections: Scheduling and Timing
The city provides online inspection scheduling for construction work associated with building permits. Inspection requests are generally handled during the regular working week.
2026 Inspection Scheduling Rules
- Inspection days: Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.
- Next-day consideration: Requests submitted before 12:00 p.m. are considered for the following working day.
- Typical turnaround: Approximately 24 hours, but the requested date is not guaranteed.
- AM preference: 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- PM preference: 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Schedule publication: Next-working-day inspection schedules are posted at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Published inspection lists do not indicate the exact order in which inspectors will visit properties.
How to Schedule an Inspection Online
- Visit Brea Online Permit Center.
- Choose Building & Safety → Schedule an Inspection.
- Search using your permit or record number.
- Open the relevant permit record and follow the scheduling prompts.
- Select the inspection type and an available requested date or preference.
- Submit the request and check the official inspection schedule for confirmation.
The city’s illustrated inspection scheduling guide (PDF) shows the portal screens and record-search process.
Canceling an Inspection
Online inspection requests must be canceled through the online system. For cancellations less than 24 hours before the scheduled inspection, Brea also requires contacting the department at (714) 990-7600. Late cancellation fees may apply.
Brea Building Permit Fees in 2026
Brea charges different fees based on project type, construction size, plan review, inspections, and other applicable services. The city’s development-fee schedule was updated July 1, 2026.
| Published Building & Safety charge | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Plan check hourly rate | $157/hour |
| Permit technician rate | $93/hour |
| Building inspection hourly rate | $146/hour |
| Building reinspection/callback rate | $146/hour |
| Building management rate | $188/hour |
| Grading inspection hourly rate | $188/hour |
| Nonrefundable permit issuance fee | $93 |
| Training surcharge | $3 per permit |
These are published component rates, not complete project-permit quotes. Many projects use flat-fee schedules or deposit-based calculations. Additional valuation-based charges and other agency fees may apply.
Examples of additional charges in the published schedule include a Green Building Standards fee of $4 per $100,000 of valuation (minimum $1), a records-management fee, seismic fees, and a technology fee calculated from construction valuation.
The city’s Building & Safety page also announces a 2.5% service fee for credit-card transactions beginning March 1, 2026. Verify the actual payment charge at checkout.
View Brea’s official 2026 Development Fees schedule (PDF)
Building Codes Enforced in Brea in 2026
For construction plans submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Brea identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Code as the applicable code cycle, subject to local amendments and project-specific requirements.
| Code | 2026 applicable edition |
|---|---|
| California Building Code | 2025 |
| California Residential Code | 2025 |
| California Electrical Code | 2025 |
| California Plumbing Code | 2025 |
| California Mechanical Code | 2025 |
| California Fire Code | 2025 |
| California Energy Code | 2025 |
| California Green Building Standards Code | 2025 |
Brea also adopts and amends provisions through its municipal code. Its building-code ordinance includes local changes to permit exemptions, so applicants should check both statewide requirements and local rules.
Check Building Permits and Application Status
Brea’s permit portal allows applicants to review project progress and search building, planning, engineering, and fire records.
- Open the official permit center.
- Choose the relevant department and record-search option.
- Enter your record number or available search information, such as a property address.
- Open the matching record to review information available to you.
- If you are the applicant, sign in to access your application’s documents, invoices, and available permit functions.
If a permit record is not visible, contact Building & Safety. Older records, restricted documents, or incomplete search details may require assistance.
Certificates of Occupancy for Brea Businesses
Brea has a distinctive Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) procedure: each business generally needs its own certificate for the space it occupies rather than relying on a building-wide approval.
A business typically needs an initial C of O before applying for its business license. Brea also identifies circumstances requiring a revised or renewed certificate, including alterations, changes in business use, changes of tenants, and changes in business or building ownership.
Individually owned dwellings are generally exempt from this C of O requirement. For apartments and hotels, the certificate is handled through the landlord or operator, as applicable.
How to Request a Certificate
- Review the city’s Certificate of Occupancies instructions.
- Prepare the C of O application and required supplemental questionnaires.
- Submit the materials to Building & Safety through the instructed process.
- Complete any required reviews or inspections.
- Once issued, display the certificate in a conspicuous location on the premises.
For application-status questions, email building@cityofbrea.gov or call the department.
Other Services and Requirements
Planning and Zoning
A building permit does not automatically establish compliance with zoning. Additions, ADUs, commercial changes, signs, and other projects may need planning approval. Confirm setbacks, land use, and applicable zoning requirements before preparing detailed construction plans.
Construction and Demolition Recycling
Brea identifies recycling documentation requirements for addition, alteration, and demolition permits, including documentation before permit issuance and verification before final inspection. Check the applicable project requirements before arranging debris disposal.
Code Enforcement
For complaints involving potentially unsafe conditions or building-code violations, the city’s Code Enforcement contact number is (714) 990-7764. Building permit and plan-check questions should go to Building & Safety.
Contractor and Owner-Builder Questions
Before hiring a contractor, verify licensing through the California Contractors State License Board. Property owners considering owner-builder permits should understand their legal responsibilities before submitting an application.
Official Brea Building Department Resources
For projects elsewhere in Southern California, see our Arcadia building permit guide and Azusa building permit guide. Use the permitting office responsible for the project address.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Brea Building Department located?
The City of Brea Building & Safety Division is located at 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821. Its main telephone number is (714) 990-7600.
2. Can I apply for a Brea building permit online?
Yes. Brea accepts building permit and plan-check applications through its online permit center, which supports document submission, online payments, and application tracking.
3. How do I schedule a building inspection in Brea?
Open the Brea Online Permit Center, choose Building & Safety, select Schedule an Inspection, search for your permit record, and follow the scheduling instructions.
4. How far in advance should I request an inspection?
Requests received before noon are considered for the next working day. The city reports a typical turnaround of about 24 hours, but your requested inspection date is not guaranteed.
5. How much does a building permit cost in Brea?
Costs depend on the type, size, and valuation of the project. Brea’s July 2026 schedule lists a $93 nonrefundable permit issuance fee and separate plan-check, inspection, and other applicable charges. Some projects have flat fees or deposits.
6. What building codes apply in Brea during 2026?
Brea applies the 2025 California Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2026, together with applicable local amendments and requirements.
7. Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom?
A permit may be required when remodeling involves electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or structural work. The exact requirement depends on the scope of work and applicable exemptions. Confirm with Brea Building & Safety before starting.
8. How can I check the status of my Brea building permit?
Search your permit number or property information in the city’s online permit center. Applicants can sign in to view available project details and pending activities.
9. Does a new business in Brea need a Certificate of Occupancy?
Generally, yes. Brea requires an initial Certificate of Occupancy for businesses before business-license application, and changes in occupancy, ownership, tenancy, or building conditions may require a revised certificate.
10. What are the Brea Building Department’s office hours?
The Building & Safety front counter lists hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and alternate Fridays. Check the city’s calendar for Friday availability and holiday closures.
Official information reviewed: October 9, 2026. Sources include the City of Brea Building & Safety Division, Inspections, Building Code Requirements, Certificate of Occupancies, municipal code, and development-fee schedule updated July 1, 2026.