Auburn, California Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Auburn Building Department Contact & Office Hours

Hours are Pacific Time. Verify holiday closures or appointment requirements before visiting.

Which Building Permits Do You Need?

Auburn’s permit requirements depend on the work, property location, building use, and applicable construction codes. The following are common project categories; a particular project may also require planning, fire, utility, or other approvals.

Swimming pools, retaining walls, solar installations, generators, and other projects may also be regulated. For small sheds or fences, check both building-permit exemptions and local zoning restrictions. A permit exemption does not automatically waive setbacks or other applicable rules.

How to Apply for an Auburn Building Permit Online

The city uses Civic Access for online applications, documents, payments, permit information, and inspections.

1. Open the official portal.
   Visit Auburn Civic Access. Select Login or Register near the upper-right corner.
2. Select your application.
   Under Permit Applications, choose the permit type matching your work. Confirm the site address and project description before proceeding.
3. Enter applicant and contractor details.
   Add the applicant and other required contacts. If a contractor certification is requested, the city instructs users to update their profile under My Certificates.
4. Upload the required documents.
   Provide drawings, specifications, site plans, calculations, or other documents requested for your permit type. Review the information before submitting.
5. Submit and monitor the review.
   Complete the submission. The city reviews applications and sends email updates. Respond to correction requests through the authorized process.
6. Pay fees and obtain the permit.
   Follow the portal’s payment and issuance instructions. Do not begin permit-regulated work until the required permit has been issued.

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

Minor trade permits may require relatively little documentation. New construction, additions, and substantial alterations normally need a more complete review package.

• Property information: Site address, assessor’s parcel number (APN), owner and applicant information, and a description of the work.
• Site plan: Property boundaries, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, access, utilities, easements, and other applicable site features.
• Construction drawings: Floor plans, elevations, building sections, structural information, and applicable electrical, plumbing, or mechanical details.
• Supporting calculations: Structural, energy, or other calculations when the project requires them.
• Special documents: Owner-builder acknowledgment, engineering, fire review, planning approvals, or special inspection forms where applicable.

Auburn’s published site-plan guidance identifies useful items such as a north arrow, drawing scale, APN, proposed structures, setbacks, utilities, easements, and site coverage. More complex projects may require professional plans or additional approvals.

Official documents: City permit forms and checklists | Site plan requirements (PDF) | Owner-builder form (PDF)

Auburn Building Permit Fees — 2026

Auburn published a new building and planning fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. These are selected building charges from that schedule, not estimates.

Important: Listed permit charges may not be the final amount payable. The schedule specifies additional processing fees and possible planning, state, and other agency charges. Projects involving new buildings, additions, tenant improvements, or substantial remodeling may use valuation-based permit fees plus applicable plan review and trade inspection charges.

When applicable, the city’s published plan-review fee is 65% of the base building permit fee. The amount and timing of charges depend on the specific project.

View the complete official 2026 fee schedule (PDF) ↗

Schedule a Building Inspection in Auburn

Auburn conducts building inspections Monday through Thursday. No regular building inspections are conducted on Fridays.

How to request an inspection online

1. Sign in to Civic Access.
2. Locate the issued permit associated with your account or project.
3. Open the available inspection scheduling options.
4. Select the required inspection type and an available date.
5. Review the request and confirm its submission.
6. Check the official inspection page for the daily schedule and instructions.

Have the permit number, project address, inspection type, and site-access information ready. Typical construction stages may include foundations, framing, rough electrical or plumbing, insulation, and final inspection, depending on the approved project.

Keep the required approved plans available and avoid covering work that must be inspected. If an inspection fails, correct the cited deficiencies and request another inspection under the city’s instructions.

How to Check Your Permit Application Status

Auburn’s Civic Access system provides permit status information and required documentation.

1. Open the city’s permit portal.
2. Sign in using the account associated with your application.
3. Find your application or permit record using the available account or search functions.
4. Review its current status, outstanding requirements, and uploaded or requested documents.
5. If an update is unclear, contact the permit technician with the permit number.

Approval time varies with project complexity, application completeness, required corrections, and other reviews. Auburn does not publish one guaranteed processing time applicable to every building-permit category on its general application page.

Building Codes Applicable in 2026

The 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) took effect January 1, 2026. It includes the applicable California building, residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, energy, green-building, and other standards.

Projects may also be subject to Auburn municipal ordinances, local amendments, zoning requirements, and fire-safety regulations. The exact standards depend on the application date, construction type, occupancy, and other factors.

Official resources: California Building Standards Commission | Auburn Planning Division | Auburn Fire development guidance

Special Cases: Solar Permits, Owner-Builders & Zoning

Residential solar and energy storage

Auburn provides a Symbium automated review option for eligible residential solar and energy-storage projects. Its published workflow has two stages:

1. Start through the city’s Symbium instructions, confirm the address is within Auburn city limits, submit project information, and obtain the approval document and inspection checklist.
2. Open Civic Access and select Online Residential Solar Permit (Symbium). Upload the requested drawings, specifications, placards, approval document, and inspection checklist, then complete payment and issuance.

Not every solar project necessarily qualifies for automated review. Check the city’s eligibility instructions before using this route.

Owner-builder permits

Property owners applying as owner-builders take on legal and financial responsibilities. Auburn publishes an owner-builder acknowledgment form addressing those obligations and the risks of using unlicensed workers.

Before hiring a contractor, use the California Contractors State License Board license lookup to verify current license information.

Planning, zoning, and fire review

A building permit does not replace all other required approvals. For additions, new buildings, change-of-use projects, or work near protected areas, check zoning, setbacks, design-review requirements, fire regulations, and utility or public-works conditions before submitting construction plans.

Auburn Planning can be reached through City Hall at 530-823-4211, extension 140. The city publishes general planning inquiry hours on Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Official Auburn Permit & Inspection Resources

For projects in other Northern California cities, our Benicia building permit guide and Berkeley building permit guide explain their local application systems. Requirements must be checked with the office serving each property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information checked: October 8, 2026. Fees reflect the published schedule effective July 1, 2026. Contact information, portal procedures, code requirements, and department policies can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the City of Auburn or Placer County.