Permit & Building Department Information

After you receive a notice that you have been accepted in the Earthquake Soft-Story grant program (ESS), but before you begin your retrofit, either you or your contractor must get a permit from your local building department. The requirements for different building permits may vary. For instance, some building departments' permits are only valid for six months, while others may be valid for a year. Check with your local building department to find out more information.

• Look for your local building department listed below or go to the Contractors State License Board Building Departments search page.
• Learn more about the kind of permit you will need, and other steps to take after being accepted into ESS.

Local Building Departments