Need a building permit, plan review, or construction inspection in Anaheim, California? The City of Anaheim Building Division, part of Planning & Building, handles building-code compliance, permit processing, plan checks, and building inspections for properties under city jurisdiction.
Quick answer · Anaheim, California
Call (714) 765-5153 for permit and inspection assistance, or visit the Building Division at 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Suite 145, Anaheim, CA 92805. Building plans can be submitted through the city’s GoPost system. For 2026 submissions, the applicable construction-code cycle is the 2025 California Building Standards Codes with Anaheim amendments.
Before visiting: The city recommends arriving by 3 p.m. for permit or plan-check submittals, even though regular counter hours extend to 4 p.m.
Anaheim Building Division: Contact & Hours
| Department | City of Anaheim Building Division |
|---|---|
| Responsible agency | Planning & Building, City of Anaheim |
| Jurisdiction | City of Anaheim, Orange County, California |
| Office address | 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, 1st Floor, Suite 145, Anaheim, CA 92805 |
| Telephone | (714) 765-5153 |
| Fax | (714) 765-4607 |
| Counter hours | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Phone hours | Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| Official website | Anaheim Building Division |
Hours may change on city holidays or during service interruptions. Confirm availability before making a special trip.
Do You Need a Building Permit in Anaheim?
Most construction, additions, structural alterations, and regulated electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work require permits before work begins. Ordinary cosmetic improvements may not. The exact requirement depends on the project scope, property conditions, and applicable code exemptions.
| Project | Typical permit guidance |
|---|---|
| New home or building addition | Building permit and plan review generally required. |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel | Permits generally required when modifying plumbing, electrical systems, walls, or structural components. |
| Roof replacement | Re-roofing is identified by Anaheim as permit-related work. |
| Electrical panel or EV charger | Electrical permit generally required; specific residential online options are available. |
| HVAC installation or replacement | Mechanical permit requirements normally apply. |
| Water heater or plumbing replacement | Plumbing permit requirements may apply, depending on the work. |
| Pool, spa, deck or patio cover | Check the relevant building and safety requirements before construction. |
| Shed, fence or retaining wall | Permit requirements depend on size, height, placement, structural conditions, and applicable exemptions. |
| Painting and cosmetic finishes | Ordinary cosmetic work generally does not require a building permit, provided no regulated work is involved. |
Avoid a costly assumption: Permit exemptions do not necessarily eliminate zoning, fire, utility, historic-property, or other legal requirements. Ask the Building Division before beginning work if the permit status is unclear.
How to confirm: Open the city’s Permit Processing Information, review the permit-required guidance, then call (714) 765-5153 with your property address and a description of the work. The city also provides a permit-required PDF, but older handouts may reference superseded code editions.
How to Apply for an Anaheim Building Permit
Anaheim accepts electronic building-plan submissions through GoPost. The city also offers separate online permit services for certain residential projects. Use the process that matches your work.
- Confirm the property and permit type Check that the property is inside Anaheim’s permitting jurisdiction. Describe the proposed work, building use, and whether the project affects zoning, structure, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.
- Download the correct application Open Anaheim Applications and Forms. Select the Building Permit Application or Building Plan Check Application. Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sign, and pool/spa applications are also listed.
- Prepare construction documents Provide the completed application and applicable plans, calculations, property information, and supporting materials. Review the city’s submittal requirements before uploading.
- Submit through Building GoPost Visit Anaheim GoPost, create or access your Building account, start the appropriate submission, and upload the required applications and plans. A separate Building GoPost account is required even if you have a Planning or Public Works account.
- Pay and respond to plan-check comments After submission, Anaheim sends payment instructions. Contact the Building Division using the provided instructions to arrange payment. Plans are routed for review after payment is received. Respond to corrections through the project’s review process.
- Receive the permit and complete inspections Do not start permit-required work before authorization. Keep approved plans available at the jobsite, request inspections at the required construction stages, and obtain final approval before completing the permit process.
Important: GoPost is the city’s electronic plan review system. Submitting plans does not itself mean a construction permit has been issued. Wait for the applicable permit approval.
Online permits for selected residential projects
Anaheim’s Online Permit Center identifies dedicated options for single-family residential rooftop solar, electric vehicle chargers, and electrical panel upgrades.
Open the Online Permit Center, select the project category, read its eligibility instructions, and use the official application link. Online eligibility and applicant requirements can vary by permit type; not every project qualifies for immediate online issuance.
Documents Needed for Plan Check
The required documents depend on the project. Anaheim’s plan review guidance identifies the following items where applicable:
- Application: Completed building or plan-check application and relevant applicant/property details.
- Site plan: Property boundaries, existing structures, and proposed work location.
- Architectural drawings: Dimensioned floor plans, roof plans, elevations, sections, and means-of-egress information where required.
- Structural documents: Foundation and framing plans, structural details, and engineering calculations when necessary.
- Energy and green-building documents: Applicable California Title 24 energy calculations and CALGreen information.
- Trade plans: Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other technical drawings relevant to the work.
- Additional approvals: Planning, Fire & Rescue, Public Works, or utility documentation when the project requires it.
Some projects require documents prepared by a California-licensed architect or engineer. The Building Division does not prepare construction drawings for applicants.
Resubmittals vs. revisions: an important difference
| Resubmittal | Revision |
|---|---|
| Correcting plans during plan check before permit issuance. | Changing approved plans after the permit has been issued. |
| Provide previous plan-check sets, corrected plans, and a response letter. Anaheim instructs applicants not to cloud corrections. | Identify changed areas by clouding revisions and follow the city’s plan revision procedure. |
Following the wrong procedure can delay review. See the city’s official resubmittal and revision instructions.
Building Permit Fees & Review Times
Anaheim does not charge one flat price for every building permit. Fees may depend on construction type, occupancy, floor area, project complexity, plan review, inspections, and separate electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work.
| Possible charge | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Permit administration and applicable building inspection services. |
| Plan check | Review of construction drawings and code compliance. |
| Trade permits | Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work as applicable. |
| Additional reviews | Extra plan review, revisions, specialty inspections, or other required processing. |
| Other city charges | Planning, fire, Public Works, or impact-related fees where applicable. |
Find your fee: Open Anaheim’s official Fees page, locate the Building section, and review the applicable building, miscellaneous, or mechanical/plumbing/electrical schedule. Confirm the currently effective amount with city staff, especially for large or unusual projects.
How long does approval take? It depends on completeness, project complexity, the number of reviewing departments, and correction cycles. Anaheim states that smaller projects requiring no more than approximately 30 minutes of plan review may qualify for over-the-counter review. The city identifies residential patio covers, pools, wall signs, and re-roofing among projects normally considered for that process, subject to staff determination.
For larger projects, consult Anaheim Plan Check for review-timeframe resources. Do not assume an over-the-counter review guarantees same-day permit issuance.
How to Schedule a Building Inspection
Inspections verify that permitted construction complies with approved plans and applicable codes. Depending on the project, inspections may be needed for foundations, framing, rough electrical and plumbing, mechanical work, insulation, or final completion.
- Have the permit number, jobsite address, inspection type, and preferred date ready.
- Open the official Anaheim inspection page to review the available scheduling option.
- If online scheduling is unavailable or unclear, call (714) 765-5153 and ask for building inspection scheduling.
- Confirm the inspection date and make sure the work is ready and accessible.
- After inspection, check results and resolve any correction notices before requesting reinspection or proceeding with work that must remain exposed.
Scheduling notice: Anaheim has two official inspection pages with different online-service guidance. One provides online scheduling links and lists a 5 p.m. prior-business-day request deadline; another says online requests are temporarily unavailable and directs callers to (714) 765-5153. Confirm the currently accepted method and cutoff with the city. Do not assume an online request was accepted without confirmation.
Virtual inspections and inspection results
The city also describes virtual inspection options for qualifying work. Not every inspection is eligible; the Building Division determines what can be handled remotely.
To view inspection results, correction notices, or project status, use the Building Project Tracking Application linked from the city inspection page. Have the permit or project reference available.
2026 Anaheim Building Codes
For residential and nonresidential projects submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Anaheim identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and city amendments as the governing construction-code cycle. The city’s code page states that projects submitted before that date are subject to the 2022 code cycle.
The 2025 code set includes:
- California Building Code and California Residential Code
- California Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes
- California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)
- California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
- California Fire Code
- California Existing Building Code and Historical Building Code
Anaheim’s local amendments address city-specific conditions and administrative requirements. They are associated with Title 15 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. Fire-related requirements and other local rules may also apply.
Local design considerations: Anaheim identifies California Climate Zone 8 and site-dependent seismic design requirements. Wind and fire-hazard requirements also depend on applicable project and site conditions. Do not use generalized citywide values as a substitute for project-specific engineering or official code review.
Review the current Anaheim building codes and design criteria before preparing construction plans.
Other Important Building Services
Permit history and property records
Before buying, renovating, or expanding a property, checking its permit history may help identify previously approved construction and outstanding permit questions.
Open the Online Permit Center, locate Property Permit Records Online or Building Permit Reports, and follow the available search instructions. If records are incomplete or unavailable, ask the Building Division how to obtain the applicable permit file.
Certificates of Occupancy
For commercial premises and newly constructed residential buildings, a Certificate of Occupancy documents applicable building-code and occupancy compliance. Anaheim issues this certificate for the space or building rather than to a particular business.
A change in use or floor area may trigger the need for a new certificate. A business moving into a space with the same approved use and no permit-required changes may be able to rely on an existing certificate, subject to city confirmation.
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Anaheim identifies a 30-calendar-day validity period, an additional fee, and approval requirements. Read the city’s occupancy guidance before requesting one.
Which city office handles your question?
| Issue | Relevant Anaheim office |
|---|---|
| Building permits, plan checks, inspections | Building Division — (714) 765-5153 |
| Land use, zoning, discretionary planning approvals | Planning Services — (714) 765-5139 |
| Property maintenance and code-enforcement concerns | Code Enforcement — (714) 765-5158 |
| Business licensing | Business License Division — (714) 765-5194 |
| Grading, right-of-way or public infrastructure permits | Anaheim Public Works — use the city’s department-specific submission guidance |
For projects involving multiple departments, confirm all required approvals before construction or occupancy.
Common Problems and What to Do
- Cannot access GoPost: Confirm that you are using the Building portal and not a separate Planning or Public Works account.
- Application is incomplete: Check for missing plans, calculations, signatures, or supplemental documents before resubmitting.
- Plan check returned corrections: Respond to each correction and follow the city’s resubmittal instructions rather than filing a new unrelated application.
- Inspection booking fails: Call the Building Division and confirm that the permit is active and the requested inspection is eligible.
- Permit fees seem incorrect: Ask for an itemized explanation based on the applicable fee schedule and project scope.
- Opening a business in an existing building: Check the approved occupancy and potential upgrade requirements before committing to a lease.
Anaheim Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Anaheim Building Department located?
The City of Anaheim Building Division is at 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, 1st Floor, Suite 145, Anaheim, CA 92805. Its telephone number is (714) 765-5153.
2. What are the Anaheim Building Division office hours?
Building counter hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Phone hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city recommends arriving by 3 p.m. for permit and plan-check submittals.
3. Can I apply for an Anaheim building permit online?
Yes. Anaheim accepts electronic building-plan submissions through its GoPost portal. Certain residential projects, including rooftop solar, EV chargers, and electrical panel upgrades, also have dedicated online permit options. Approval requirements vary by project.
4. How do I know whether my project needs a permit?
Most new construction, additions, structural changes, and regulated electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work require permits. Ordinary cosmetic work may be exempt. Confirm your specific project with Anaheim Building Division before beginning construction.
5. How do I schedule a building inspection in Anaheim?
Review the city’s official inspection page for scheduling options or call (714) 765-5153. Anaheim’s published pages contain conflicting information about online scheduling availability, so confirm the accepted method and deadline before relying on a booking.
6. Which building codes apply in Anaheim in 2026?
Projects submitted on or after January 1, 2026, are subject to the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and applicable Anaheim amendments. The city identifies the 2022 code cycle for projects submitted before that date.
7. What documents are required for building plan review?
Requirements depend on the project but may include a completed application, site plan, architectural drawings, structural calculations, energy documents, and relevant electrical, mechanical, or plumbing plans. Some projects require professionally prepared drawings.
8. How much does an Anaheim building permit cost?
There is no single fee for every permit. Charges vary by project type, construction characteristics, plan review, inspections, and other applicable services. Check Anaheim’s current official building fee schedules or request a project-specific estimate.
9. How can I check my permit or inspection status?
Use the official building project tracking and permit-record services linked from Anaheim’s Building Division and inspection pages. Have the permit number or property information ready. Contact the department if the online record is incomplete.
10. When is a Certificate of Occupancy required in Anaheim?
Certificates of Occupancy apply to relevant new construction and commercial occupancy situations. A change in building use or floor area may require a new certificate. Anaheim also considers temporary occupancy approvals on a case-by-case basis.
Official Anaheim Resources
These primary sources provide the applications, code information, and service instructions discussed in this guide.
- Anaheim Building Division — Main Department Page
- Permit Processing, Required Plans & Corrections
- Official Building Applications & Forms
- Building GoPost Submission Instructions
- Residential Online Permits & Property Records
- Building Inspections & Project Tracking
- Official Fee Schedules
- 2026 Applicable Building Codes & Design Criteria