Get a Permit

All construction activity, from initial grading of a site to interior improvements, alterations and most repairs requires a building permit unless the work is specifically exempted by the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II and Title 15 of the Rocklin Municipal Code. However, a building permit may not be required for the following projects:

Use the menu to the left or scroll down to view all required permits. If you ‘re looking for a Business License, go here. Scroll down for the Home Business Permit.

Building Permit Exemptions

All construction activity, from initial grading of a site to interior improvements, alterations and most repairs requires a building permit unless the work is specifically exempted by the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II and Title 15 of the Rocklin Municipal Code. However, a building permit may not be required for the following projects:

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses when located on a parcel which contains an existing single family dwelling or other permitted primary use or structure, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet. Note: Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work in connection with such structures requires an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit even though a building permit is not required for the structure itself.
• Children’s Play Structures: Tree houses (less than 120 square feet of floor area), skateboard ramps and children’s play structures (i.e. jungle gyms) when constructed on a parcel which contains a single family dwelling and not used for commercial purposes.
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Oil derricks
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Retaining walls which retain not more than 3 feet of earth unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquid.

For the purpose of this section, a retaining wall is considered to be supporting a surcharge if: The wall retains more than one foot of material and the retained material slopes more than two units horizontal to one vertical within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade. a. The wall retains more than one foot of material and any road or structure is located on the retaining material within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade. b. The wall retains more than one foot of material and any road or structure is located on the retaining material within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade.

• Movable/Temporary Items:

a. Movable cases and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high (for commercial occupancies) and temporary motion picture, television and theater stage, seats and scenery.

b. Membrane structures (i.e. tents and awnings) erected for less than 180 days in any twelve month period.

• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route. (This type of work may however require an encroachment permit from Public Services. Please contact them at 916.625.5500 for further details.)
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work, except that restriping of commercial parking lot requires a building permit.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that does not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and does not require additional support, Group R-3 (single family residential) and U (private garage or utility buildings) occupancies
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 (single family residential) occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one-and two-family dwellings
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve exit doors required by code
• Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.

• Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
• Electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions.
• Installation of temporary systems required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
• Listed cord and plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
• Reinstallation or replacement of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets.
• Repair or replacement of branch circuits or overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
• Installation or maintenance of communications wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment.

• Portable heating appliances and the replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

• Portable heating appliances, portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling units, and portable evaporative coolers.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
• The replacement of any part that does not alter the equipment’s approval or make it unsafe.

• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent piping. However, if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, a permit shall be obtained and inspections made.
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

*Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items. Exemption from the permit requirements of the code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.