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. When a project involves commercial construction, or when construction documents for single-trade permits have been deferred to allow for bidder designed systems, a permit application and complete construction document submittal is required for each permit.

Separate permits required for each independent structure

When a proposed project involves the construction or modification of multiple structures on a single parcel, each independent building is required to have its own permit. (e.g. construction of a single-family residence and detached garage).

Application Forms

Complete permit application packets consist of a combination of application forms and supplemental forms required to document compliance with City and State requirements. 

Building Permit Application
Building Permit Revision Form
Building Permit Guidance Form
Driveway Replacement Permit
Owner Affidavit Form
Permanent Encroachment Application
​Scope of Work Application
Site Plan Template
Smoke Detector/CO Affidavit
Temporary Encroachment Application
When is a Permit Required?

Review Checklists

Attached ADU Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-10
Bathroom Remodel Requirements - Checklist 24-04
Commercial Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-02
Deck Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-09
Detached ADU Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-11
Electric Vehicle Charger Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-07
Generator Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-08
Kitchen Remodel Requirements - Checklist 24-03
PV-ESS Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-06
PV-Solar Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-05
Residential Plan Requirements - Checklist 24-01

Standard Operating Guidance Documents (SOG)

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s) are developed by the Building Safety Division to provide consistent guidance for our staff and customers relative to specific Code requirements and interpretations of the building official.

Alternative Materials, Design, and Methods of Construction - SOG 18-03
Building Permit Complete Submittal Requirements Checklist - SOG 17-04
Building Permit Complete Submittal Requirements Matrix - SOG 17-04
Business License Inspections - SOG 17-02
Business License Pre-approval Inspections - SOG 19-07
CAWD Sewer Lateral Inspections - SOG 19-08
Certificate of Occupancy - SOG 17-01
Code citations on plans and code access - SOG 19-11
Consolidated Plan Review Letters - SOG 17-10
Coordination of Design Questions - SOG 18-11
Deferred Submittals - SOG 17-16
Designer ID Requirements on Submittals - SOG 17-03
Designer Requirements for Permit Applications (supercedes SOG 17-03) - SOG 19-12
Determining Residential Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Requirements - SOG 23-03
Electrical Permits - Low Voltage Lighting and Irrigation Control Systems - SOG 19-13
Electronic Permit Submissions - SOG 22-03
Emergency Work Permit Requirements - SOG 18-09
Exterior Wildfire Exposure Protection - SOG 18-04
Fire Code Operational Permits - SOG 18-06
Fire Resistive Construction - SOG 18-02
Generators - SOG 19-02
HVAC Appliances in Attics and Crawl Spaces - SOG 18-01
Non-potable Rainwater Harvesting Systems - SOG 17-12
Online Payments - SOG 23-02
Over-the-Counter Permits - SOG 22-02
Permit Applications - Electronic Media - SOG 18-13
Permit Declarations Acknowledgement Requirements - SOG 20-01
Permit Expiration - SOG 19-09
Permit Valuations and Fees - SOG 18-05
Permits By Appointment - SOG 22-01
Permits by Appointment - SOG 17-13
Phased Demolition Permits - SOG 19-04
Plan Requirements for Multiple Revisions - SOG 17-09
Pool and Spa Barriers - SOG 18-08
Prescriptive Residential Decks, Stairs, and Railings - SOG 17-14
Private Stormwater Drainage Systems - SOG 17-07
Public Access to Active Permit Documents - SOG 19-03
Reporting CA OSHA Violations - SOG 17-15
Residential Fire Sprinkler Retrofit - SOG 17-05
Retaining Wall Permit Requirements - SOG 17-18
Skylight Addition Revisions - SOG 18-15
Special Inspection Agency Approval - SOG 19-10
Stop Work Orders - SOG 17-17
Submittal Requirements for Solar PV Systems 10kW or Less in One to Two Family Dwellings - SOG 18-10
Surveyor Certification of Location and Height - SOG 17-08
Temporary Certificates of Occupancy - SOG 17-06
Unit Designators in Multi-tenant Buildings - SOG 19-05

Supplemental Application Documents

ADA Resources Notice
Application for Alternative Materials, Design, and Methods of Construction
BMP Implementation Tracking Form
Concurrent Review Agreement
Conditions of Approval Acknowledgement
Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling Plan
Deferred Submittal Agreement
Permit Extension/Re-activation Application
Phased Construction Agreement
Revision/Correction Submittal Form
Revisions to Planning Approval
Site Plan Template
Smoke Detector/CO Affidavit
Statement of Special Inspections
Statement of Special Inspections - Approved Agencies
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
Temporary Variance of Work Hours Request

Job Aids

Access to Exits and Exit Separation Distance
Accessible Ramps and Landings
Basic Stairs
BMP Sheet
Electrical Grounding Requirements
Electrical Panel Calculations
Inspection Guide for Small Solar PV Systems
Residential Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
Residential Bathroom Remodel Guide
Residential Kitchen Remodel Guide
Solar PV Standard Plan - Central String Inverter Systems
Solar PV Standard Plan - Microinverter and ACM Systems for One and Two Family Dwellings
Standard Plan Notes
Structural Criteria for Residential Flush-mounted Solar Array's
Structural Key Plans
Traffic Control Plan Guidelines
Underground Electrical Cable Bury Depths
Window Wells