Building Safety
Building Safety Division
The Building Safety Division is responsible for permitting and inspection of construction projects within the City. The Carmel Municipal Code in Title 15 adopts the codes enumerated in the CA Code of Regulations, Title 24; including the CA Administrative, Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Energy, and Green Building Standards Codes. The Division:
- Reviews permit applications and construction documents to ensure compliance with the requirements of Carmel Municipal Code (CMC) and issues permits for approved projects;
- Inspects permitted work periodically to verify it is in accordance with the approved plans and code requirements;
- Issues a Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of permitted projects;
- Consults with the public on building construction matters;
- Coordinates with the Carmel Fire Department on enforcement of the CA Fire Code;
- Coordinates with the Planning Division on review of projects submitted for Design Review, use permit approvals, and business license applications;
- Coordinates with the Public Works Department on infrastructure projects, encroachment permits, traffic control plans, stormwater management, end environmental protection efforts for construction sites; and
- Coordinates with the Code Enforcement Division on enforcement actions related to buildings and structures within the City.
Stop Work Orders and Emergency Permits
Stop Work Order Investigation Fee Implementation
Title 15 of the Carmel Municipal Code requires construction permits (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire codes) for certain work within the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Failure to obtain a required permit PRIOR to beginning work is unfair to the City’s legitimate construction industry; wastes taxpayers dollars; puts building owners in jeopardy; is a violation punishable by law; and will result in a Stop Work Order being issued.
Applications & Informational Handouts
Building Safety Division
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has created a consolidated application form for all permits issued under the authority of Carmel Municipal Code, Title 15. Applicants complete the form, marking the appropriate type of work proposed at the top. For one- and two-family residential projects where complete plumbing, electrical, and mechanical plans are submitted at the time of application, the applicant may request multiple permits on the same application.
- SOG 17-02 Business License Inspections
- SOG 17-03 Designer ID Requirements on Submittals
- SOG 17-04 Building Permit Complete Submittal Requirements Checklist
- SOG 17-04 Building Permit Complete Submittal Requirements Matrix
- SOG 17-05 Residential Fire Sprinkler Retrofit
- SOG 17-06 Temporary Certificates of Occupancy
- SOG 17-08 Surveyor Certification of Location and Height
- SOG 17-09 Plan Requirements for Multiple Revisions
- SOG 17-10 Consolidated Plan Review Letters
- SOG 17-11 Determining Residential Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Requirements
- SOG 17-12 Non-potable Rainwater Harvesting Systems
- SOG 17-13 Permits by Appointment
- SOG 17-14 Prescriptive Residential Decks, Stairs, and Railings
- SOG 17-15 Reporting CA OSHA Violations
- SOG 17-16 Deferred Submittals
- SOG 17-17 Stop Work Orders
- SOG 17-18 Retaining Wall Permit Requirements
- SOG 18-01 HVAC Appliances in Attics and Crawl Spaces
- SOG 18-02 Fire Resistive Construction
- SOG 18-03 Alternative Materials, Design, and Methods of Construction
- Scope of Work Application
- Statement of Special Inspections
- Fire System Permit Application
- Application for Alternative Materials, Design, and Methods of Construction
- BMP Implementation Tracking Form
- Concurrent Review Agreement
- Construction & Demolition Plan
- Deferred Submittal Agreement
- Phased Construction Agreement
- Temporary Variance of Work Hours Request
- Revision/Correction Submittal Form
- Smoke Detector/CO Affidavit
- Accepted Special Inspection Agencies
- JA 01 - Residential Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
- JA 02 - Window Wells
- JA 03 - Basic Stairs
- JA 04 - Accessible Ramps and Landings
- Traffic Control Plan Guidelines
- SOG 18-04 Exterior Wildfire Exposure Protection
- Building Permit Revision Form
- Temporary Encroachment Application
- SOG 18-05 Permit Valuations and Fees
- SOG 18-06 Fire Code Operational Permits
- SOG 17-01 Certificate of Occupancy
- JA 06 - Residential Bathroom Remodel Guide
- JA 05 - Residential Kitchen Remodel Guide
- JA 07 - Electrical Grounding Requirements
- JA 08 - Underground Electrical Cable Bury Depths
- JA 10 - Electrical Panel Calculations
- JA 09 - Access to Exits and Exit Separation Distance
- SOG 18-10 Submittal Requirements for Solar PV Systems 10kW or Less in One to Two Family Dwellings
- JA 11 - Inspection Gude for Small Solar PV Systems
- JA 13 - Solar PV Standard Plan - Microinverter and ACM Systems for One and Two Family Dwellings
- JA 12 - Solar PV Standard Plan - central String Inverter Systems
- Building Permit Application
- SOG 18-09 Emergency Work Permit Requirements
- SOG 18-11 Coordination of Design Questions
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
- Permanent Encroachment Application
- SOG 18-13 Permit Applications - Electronic Media
- BMP Sheet
- SOG 17-07 Private Stormwater Drainage Systems
- Read more
How to Apply for a Building Permit
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea requires a building permit application for any projects that affect: demolition, structural additions or changes, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. For one- and two-family residential projects where complete plumbing, electrical, and mechanical plans are submitted at the time of application, the applicant may request multiple permits on the same application.
Electronic Permit Submittal
How to apply for an e-permit
After several months of development and testing, the Community Planning and Building Department is now offering a paperless electronic permitting process for building permit applications.
Storm Water Requirements
The City’s storm drain system is important infrastructure that prevents flooding when it rains. The system includes:
- gutters and surface drainage on streets,
- storm drain inlets, and
- storm drain pipes and outfalls.
Storm drains flow directly into surface water bodies without any treatment, so it is critical to keep stormwater pollutant free.
Building Board of Appeals
Carmel's Newest Board
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in accordance with the codes adopted under Title 15, has established a Building Code Board of Appeals to hear appeals of the decisions of the building and fire code officials.
Building Division Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to the FAQ section for any questions you may have. If your questions is not answered below, feel free to contact Planning & Building Staff.