Permits are certificates of approval from City Hall to proceed forward with proposed projects. Permits may or may not be required for your project or tenant improvement.

To determine if your project is within the City of Elk Grove for permitting purposes, view the Assessor's map and enter the location, you will see your jurisdiction on the top left.

In an effort to reduce costs of printing plans, streamline the permitting process, and reduce storage costs, the City of Elk Grove will require plans for building permits to be submitted electronically.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is a permit required?
• How do I apply for a permit?
• Can I obtain a permit over the counter?
• Can permits be obtained online?
• What type of information and documentation is required for permits that require a plan review and how long does it take to get plans reviewed?
• How will I know when my plan review is complete?
• Once my permit has been issued, how do I schedule an inspection?
• Will my permit expire?
• Who is responsible for making sure that the proper inspections are performed?
• How do I get my project finalized?
• How do I get information regarding licensed contractors?
• Do I have to hire a contractor, or can I perform the work myself?
• Do I need an architect or engineer to prepare my plans?
• How may I get more information?

Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

Do you own an Electric Vehicle, or are you considering buying one? Depending on your charging needs, building permits may be required. View the guide and checklist below. The guide provides information about Electric Vehicles and what supplemental infrastructure are needed in the household.

• Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Checklist
• Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Station Checklist

Permit Streamlining

Pass

The PASS  program has been designed to provide a more efficient and effective plan review process by implementing a clear and concise set of standards for document content and organization. Implementation of this program requires only minor adjustments for both public and private sector in their internal processes. It is completely voluntary. Participants will attend a half day class; there will be annual updates and refresher training.

Permit Simplicity

Permit Simplicity allows businesses to obtain a permit for improvements to an existing building in a matter of days.  Under this program, plans prepared by a designated, pre-qualified professional architect or engineer will be reviewed by the City staff at the permit counter and a permit will be issued the next day.

The Permit Simplicity Program is optional and there is no additional processing cost associated with it. The program is limited to tenant improvements for retail, office and warehouse buildings and no food establishments or change in use applications will be considered as part of this process.  

Architects and engineers who wish to utilize the Permit Simplicity Program will need to obtain all other permits required by other agencies prior to final submittal to the Cities. Other agency approvals typically include Fire, School Districts and Utilities.  The program may be expanded to other types of permits after the initial trial period.

Tenant Improvement Tuesdays (T.I. Tuesdays)

T. I. Tuesday is a program allowing a small business applicant to schedule an appointment on any Tuesday to meet one-on-one with Building, Planning and Fire Department plan review staff for the purpose of performing a plan review and initial approval for construction permit for proposed simple tenant improvements of a Business (B) or Mercantile (M) occupancy with a floor area of 5,000 square feet. 

Times will be scheduled in one hour increments from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm by calling (916) 478-2235.

A CSD Fire Department representative will now be located at the Development Services counter for Plan Review.

The City of Elk Grove continues to develop and implement customer service improvements, for the Building permit process. The TI Tuesday permit program was designed to provide applicants with an over the counter permit process for Tenant Improvements in commercial buildings.

View Policy

New City Policy Supports Economic Development in Industrial Areas

In another move to improve customer service and support local businesses, the City of Elk Grove recently adopted a new policy topromote economic development in Elk Grove’s industrial areas.

The new City policy was recently adopted to expedite the permitting process and reduce fees for businesses moving into ElkGrove’s industrial spaces within in the city limits.  Under the new policy, businesses moving into existing industrial spaces will no longer have to obtain a new building permit, as long as the previous owner had the required permits for the space and no additional construction work is required.  The policy also allows for a Certificate of Occupancy to be transferred to similar businesses inindustrial areas on spaces less than 3,000 square feet. The new policy will reduce fees and ensure an efficient transition into a new space.

In all cases, a transfer of business licenses can take place in just one day. In some cases, a transfer of Certificate of Occupancy can take place in just one day. Local businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the City Building Department’s Tenant Improvement Tuesdays , PASS, and Permit Simplicity permit streamlining programs. For more information contact Sarah Sandoval at ssandoval@elkgrovecity.org or (916) 478-2235.

Small Business Permit Assistance Program

The Program provides grants to small businesses to defray the cost of obtaining City planning and/or building permits and approvals required to construct or retrofit commercial space that the business will occupy. Small businesses are defined under the Program as businesses with less than 20 employees and revenues under $3 million dollars.

View Policy, Guidelines, and Procedures.

Apply for the Small Business Permit Assistance Program

Contact Information