Brentwood, California · Contra Costa County · 2026 Guide
Brentwood Building Permits & Inspections: Where to Start
The Brentwood Building Department, officially the City of Brentwood Building Inspection Division, handles construction permits, plan reviews, building inspections, and building-code compliance for properties within Brentwood city limits in California.
Quick answer: Apply through Brentwood’s electronic permitting system, eTRAKiT. For building permit assistance, call (925) 516-5405. To schedule or cancel a construction inspection, call (925) 809-7930.
Brentwood Building Department Contact Information
Building permits and construction-related plan reviews are administered through the City’s Community Development Department. The Building Inspection Division and Permit Center are located at City Hall.
| Official department | City of Brentwood Building Inspection Division |
|---|---|
| Government | City of Brentwood, Contra Costa County, California |
| Office address | 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513 |
| Building / Permit Center phone | (925) 516-5405 |
| Building email | buildinginspection@brentwoodca.gov |
| Permit Center email | building@brentwoodca.gov |
| Inspection scheduling | (925) 809-7930 |
| Walk-in hours | Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Friday service | By appointment only |
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| Official website | Brentwood Building Division ↗ |
These are the published Permit Center service hours, not necessarily all City Hall operating hours. The city states that permit payments cannot be accepted after 4:00 p.m. Confirm holiday closures before visiting.
What Building Permits Are Required in Brentwood?
Most new construction, substantial remodeling, and regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work require building permits. Even projects that qualify for a building-permit exemption may still need zoning approval or other permissions.
| Project | Typical permit requirement |
|---|---|
| New homes and buildings | Building permit, plan review, applicable zoning clearance and trade permits. |
| Room additions and garage conversions | Building permit and plans showing structural work, layout, utilities and code compliance. |
| Kitchen and bathroom remodeling | Permits for regulated plumbing, electrical, structural or mechanical changes. |
| Roof replacement | Brentwood identifies re-roofing as work requiring a permit. |
| Windows and exterior doors | Permit requirements depend on replacement work, openings and applicable code provisions. |
| Water heaters and HVAC | Plumbing or mechanical permits generally apply to covered replacements or installations. |
| Electrical panels and circuits | Electrical permits for regulated new, relocated or replaced equipment. |
| Decks and patio covers | Building approval generally applies; structural details and setbacks may be relevant. |
| Swimming pools and spas | Permits and required safety, structural, electrical and plumbing inspections. |
| Storage sheds | Building permit generally required over 120 square feet; zoning still applies to smaller sheds. |
| Fences | Brentwood identifies fences over 7 feet high as requiring a building permit; other restrictions may apply. |
| Retaining walls | Permit typically required over 4 feet, or for shorter walls supporting additional loads (surcharge). |
| Solar panels and EV chargers | Appropriate electrical/building permits; qualifying solar installations may use a special process. |
| Commercial alterations | Building review, occupancy, accessibility and applicable fire/life-safety approvals. |
What work may be exempt?
Limited work, such as certain small detached storage sheds or ordinary nonstructural finish work, may be exempt under applicable rules. However, an exemption is not automatic simply because a project is small.
Before assuming no permit is needed, check the project’s structure size, height, use, electrical and plumbing connections, property setbacks, and relevant planning restrictions.
Official reference: Brentwood Building FAQs — revised January 1, 2026 (PDF) ↗.
How to Apply for a Brentwood Building Permit Online
Brentwood accepts building permit applications electronically through its eTRAKiT system. Selecting the correct permit category helps route the application for review.
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Open the official electronic permit portal
Visit Brentwood eTRAKiT ↗. The public portal provides permit searches, application options, fees, and inspection services.
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Create an account or sign in
Select the registration option if you are a new applicant. Existing users can sign in with their registered credentials. Contractors should use the appropriate account type and ensure their license information is current.
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Select Apply / New Permit
Choose the application option under the Permits section. Enter the project address and identify the property accurately.
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Choose the correct permit category
Match the category to your project, such as residential new construction, residential miscellaneous work, commercial improvements, electrical/plumbing/mechanical, or signs. See the permit-type table below.
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Complete the project information
Provide the owner and applicant details, description of work, estimated construction valuation, contractor details where applicable, and other requested information.
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Upload required plans and declarations
Attach construction drawings, application declarations, energy documents, engineering calculations, or other materials required for your project. Ensure files are complete and readable.
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Submit and monitor review comments
Submit the application and retain the assigned reference or permit number. Check your account for plan-review corrections, additional document requests, and payment notices.
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Pay fees and obtain permit issuance
Pay required charges using the city’s authorized payment process. A submitted application is not the same as an issued permit. Begin regulated construction only after the necessary approvals and permit issuance.
Which eTRAKiT permit type should you select?
| Portal category | Common projects |
|---|---|
| Res New | New single-family homes, multifamily residential construction, ADUs. |
| Res Misc | Remodels, additions, sheds, patio covers, swimming pools, reroofs, windows. |
| Commercial | New commercial buildings, additions and tenant improvements. |
| Office | Office buildings, additions and office tenant improvements. |
| Industrial | Industrial buildings, additions and tenant improvements. |
| EPM | Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, solar, EV chargers, HVAC and water heaters. |
| Signs | Monument signs, wall signs, awnings and illuminated/non-illuminated signs. |
The actual system may require a more specific subtype after selecting the main category. For detailed portal instructions, see the City’s Electronic Submittal Portal Guide ↗.
Documents Needed for a Building Permit
The January 2026 city guidance identifies basic applicant details, declarations, project valuation, and plans where required. Larger construction projects need more supporting documents than straightforward equipment replacements.
| Document or information | When needed |
|---|---|
| Property address and work description | Required for the basic application. |
| Property owner and applicant details | Names, contact information, and applicant authorization. |
| Contractor information | Applicable contractor name, license and contact information. |
| Owner-builder / contractor declarations | Relevant signed declarations and workers’ compensation information. |
| Construction valuation | Estimated value including applicable materials and labor. |
| Site plan and drawings | When the project requires building or planning review. |
| Structural calculations | When structural design or engineering is required. |
| Energy and CALGreen documentation | Where applicable to the construction or alteration. |
| Planning approval | For projects requiring zoning, land-use, height or setback review. |
| Additional agency clearances | Fire, engineering, utilities or other approvals when applicable. |
For paper submissions, the City’s 2026 FAQ identifies three sets of plans and two sets of calculations/specifications where required. Electronic applicants should follow the portal’s current document requirements rather than assuming paper-copy counts apply.
Brentwood publishes separate forms and handouts for additions, alterations, residential window changes, owner-builder declarations, pools, and other projects through its Development Services document library ↗.
Common reasons applications are delayed
- Incorrect permit type or project description.
- Missing signatures or applicant authorization.
- Incomplete plans or engineering details.
- Construction valuation that excludes relevant work.
- Unresolved planning, setback, zoning, or utility requirements.
- Unpaid plan-review fees or unanswered correction notices.
For the fastest resolution, respond to the specific comment in your permit record and resubmit all documents requested by the reviewing agency.
Brentwood Building Inspections: Scheduling & Requirements
The City of Brentwood offers an automated telephone inspection scheduling system. You can schedule or cancel inspections by calling (925) 809-7930.
How to schedule an inspection by phone
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Prepare your permit number
Have the issued building permit and project address ready. The system requests the numeric part of the permit number.
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Call the inspection line
Dial (925) 809-7930. Press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
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Select the scheduling option
Press 1 to schedule an inspection or 2 to cancel an inspection.
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Enter the numeric permit identifier
For example, if your permit is B0001500, the city’s instructions say to enter 0001500.
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Confirm the property address
Listen to the address repeated by the system. Make sure it matches the permit being inspected.
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Choose the inspection date
Press 1 for the next business day, 2 for two business days ahead, or 3 for three business days ahead, according to the automated system’s options.
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Finish the call
Confirm the scheduled date. Follow the prompts to exit, leave a message for the inspector, or change the requested date.
View the official Brentwood inspection scheduling instructions ↗.
Common building inspection stages
| Inspection | What is generally checked |
|---|---|
| Footing / foundation | Excavation, reinforcing steel, foundation layout and other applicable requirements before concrete placement. |
| Underground utilities | Covered underground plumbing, electrical or other installations before concealment. |
| Rough framing | Structural framing, connections, bracing and approved structural details. |
| Rough electrical / plumbing / mechanical | Relevant equipment, piping, wiring, connections and work before walls or ceilings are closed. |
| Insulation / energy | Applicable thermal, insulation or energy-compliance requirements. |
| Final inspection | Completed work, required safety measures and permit closeout conditions. |
Not every project requires every inspection. Your issued permit and approved plans determine the inspections needed for your work.
Brentwood Building Permit Fees in 2026
Building permit charges in Brentwood depend on the type of project, construction valuation, required plan checks, inspections and any additional development-related reviews.
The city implemented an adjusted building and planning fee structure effective February 1, 2025. Applicants should use the applicable current schedule or their project-specific invoice rather than older fee examples.
| Fee category | What affects the amount |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Construction valuation, permit classification and adopted fee methodology. |
| Plan review | Required review services and applicable fee calculations. |
| Electrical / plumbing / mechanical | Scope and type of regulated equipment or installation. |
| Additional inspections | Work requiring special inspection or reinspection services. |
| Planning and development | Zoning review, development approvals or applicable project-specific charges. |
| Engineering | Grading, encroachment or infrastructure-related reviews when applicable. |
How to obtain an accurate permit fee estimate
- Prepare the project address and exact construction scope.
- Calculate a reasonable total construction valuation, including applicable labor and materials.
- Determine whether the project needs building-only, trade, planning or engineering approvals.
- Contact Brentwood Permit Center at (925) 516-5405 or building@brentwoodca.gov.
- Ask for the applicable fee schedule and a project-specific estimate or invoice.
Official references: Building Permit Fee Adjustment Notice ↗ and Permit Center Fee Resources ↗.
Brentwood Building Codes Applicable in 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, Brentwood’s published building guidance identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Code as the applicable state code cycle, together with relevant local municipal requirements.
| Code | 2026 applicable edition |
|---|---|
| California Building Code (CBC) | 2025 |
| California Residential Code (CRC) | 2025 |
| California Electrical Code (CEC) | 2025 |
| California Plumbing Code (CPC) | 2025 |
| California Mechanical Code (CMC) | 2025 |
| California Energy Code | 2025 |
| California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) | 2025 |
| Other applicable California standards | Relevant fire, existing building, accessibility and specialized code provisions |
| Local requirements | Applicable Brentwood Municipal Code provisions and adopted amendments |
The correct provisions vary by occupancy, project scope and whether the work is new construction, an addition, an alteration or an existing building improvement. Zoning requirements, setbacks and other local development restrictions may also apply.
For the statewide framework, use the California Building Standards Commission ↗. For Brentwood-specific requirements, consult the City Building Division ↗.
For a nearby jurisdiction comparison, see our Antioch, California Building Department guide. Antioch is also in Contra Costa County, but it administers its own city permitting procedures.
ADUs, Solar Permits & Other Special Projects
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Brentwood accepts ADU building applications through its residential new construction permit category. For the electronic portal, the city identifies Res New → Accessory Dwelling Unit as the relevant combination for post-entitlement ADU permit applications.
Depending on the proposed ADU, required materials may include architectural drawings, site plans, structural calculations, energy and CALGreen documentation, declarations, soils or compaction information, and other project-specific items.
Before filing, review the city’s AB 2234 Residential Permit Submission Requirements ↗.
Brentwood also publishes an ADU Accelerator Program ↗. Eligibility, funding availability and deadlines are program-specific. Do not assume an incentive is available without checking the current program status.
Solar and battery storage installations
Some qualifying residential solar and storage installations can use the city’s SolarAPP+ process. The city lists a specific SolarAPP+/Solar or Solar+Storage permit route and requires an appropriate approval document and signed supporting forms.
For eligible projects, the process generally involves:
- Obtaining the applicable SolarAPP+ approval.
- Signing in to Brentwood’s electronic permit system.
- Selecting the designated solar permit type/subtype.
- Uploading the approval, declarations and required certifications.
- Paying the applicable permit charge.
- Scheduling the final inspection after issuance.
Official Brentwood SolarAPP+ Instructions ↗.
Commercial construction and tenant improvements
Commercial work may require review of occupancy classification, accessibility, structural safety, electrical/plumbing/mechanical systems, fire protection and relevant planning restrictions. Applicants should use the Commercial, Office or Industrial category matching the project.
Complex projects may also involve engineering, fire or outside-agency clearances. Confirm the full approval sequence before scheduling construction.
Check Brentwood Permit Status and Building Records
Brentwood’s eTRAKiT portal includes public permit-search tools and account-based permit management.
- Open the official eTRAKiT portal.
- Select Permits → Search Permit.
- Use the available search criteria, such as a permit number or property information.
- Open the relevant record to view the status and information available to the public.
- If you are the applicant, sign in to review account-specific application information, fees or other available actions.
For records that are not visible online, older permits, or documents requiring a formal records request, contact the Building Division. Public access and document availability may differ by record type.
What if your building permit application is delayed?
First check the portal for outstanding fees, correction notices and incomplete submissions. If the record does not explain the delay, contact the Permit Center with your permit number, address and date of submission.
A plan-review submission, zoning review, fee payment and permit issuance are separate stages. Avoid treating an application acknowledgment as permission to start work.
See the Antioch Building Department for neighboring Contra Costa County municipal procedures.
Our Benicia Building Department guide covers another Contra Costa-area-adjacent California jurisdiction with its own permitting system.
Explore the Agoura Hills Building Department guide for additional California permitting examples and adopted-code context.
Use the California Contractors State License Board to verify a contractor before hiring.
Brentwood Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Brentwood Building Department located?
The City of Brentwood Building Inspection Division is at 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513. Permit Center walk-in hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Friday service by appointment.
2. How do I apply for a building permit in Brentwood?
Open the city’s eTRAKiT portal, register or sign in, choose Apply / New Permit, select the correct permit category, provide project details, upload required documents and submit for review.
3. What is the Brentwood Building Department phone number?
Call (925) 516-5405 for Building Division and Permit Center assistance. For automated building inspection scheduling or cancellation, call (925) 809-7930.
4. Do I need a permit to build a shed in Brentwood?
Brentwood identifies storage sheds over 120 square feet as requiring building permits. Smaller qualifying storage sheds may be exempt from a building permit, but zoning, setbacks, accessory-building rules and other conditions still apply.
5. Do I need a permit to replace my roof or water heater?
Brentwood lists reroofing and water heater replacements among projects requiring permits. Select the appropriate permit type and confirm the inspection requirements before work begins.
6. How much does a Brentwood building permit cost?
Fees vary based on construction valuation, permit type, plan review and other applicable charges. Brentwood updated its fee structure effective February 1, 2025. Contact the Permit Center or review your official invoice for a project-specific amount.
7. How do I schedule a Brentwood building inspection?
Call (925) 809-7930, choose your language, select the scheduling option, enter the numeric portion of your permit number, confirm the address and choose an available inspection date following the automated prompts.
8. Which building codes apply in Brentwood in 2026?
The city’s January 2026 guidance identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Code editions, including building, residential, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy and CALGreen provisions, together with applicable local requirements.
9. Can homeowners obtain permits without a contractor?
Owner-builders may apply where California law allows. The city requires applicable owner-builder declarations and supporting information. Owner-builders must understand their legal responsibilities, and regulated trade or specialty work may involve additional licensing and compliance requirements.
10. How can I find an existing Brentwood building permit?
Use eTRAKiT’s Search Permit function to look up available permit information. For records that cannot be found online, contact the Building Division and provide the property address and any known permit details.
Official Brentwood Building Resources
These are the most useful government resources for completing the permit or inspection process:
Before You Start Your Project
For most Brentwood construction projects, the best starting point is to confirm the correct permit category, prepare the required plans and declarations, and submit through the city’s electronic portal. Keep your permit number available for application tracking and inspection scheduling.
If your project includes an ADU, significant structural changes, commercial construction or specialty equipment, confirm planning and technical requirements before paying for plans or starting construction.