Martinez, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Martinez has adopted the 2022 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy, and Green Building Standards Codes by reference under Martinez Municipal Code Title 15, with local amendments addressing seismic conditions, expansive soils near Alhambra Creek, and waterfront flood hazards. Permits are required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, reroofing, window replacement (when altering structural openings), electrical service upgrades, plumbing re-pipes, water heater replacements, HVAC changes, pools and spas, retaining walls over 4 feet, decks over 30 inches, and most accessory structures over 120 square feet. Applications are submitted through the Community Development Department at City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street. Plan check typically takes 3-6 weeks for residential additions, with expedited over-the-counter review available for simple projects such as reroofs, water heaters, and electrical panel upgrades. Licensed California contractors must be listed on the permit, or the owner may sign an owner-builder declaration per Business and Professions Code Section 7044. Inspections are scheduled through the Building Division and must be called in at least one business day in advance. Work performed without required permits is subject to investigation fees equal to the permit fee (doubling the cost), and unpermitted work discovered during a sale typically must be legalized or disclosed on the Transfer Disclosure Statement. Expired permits (no inspection activity for 180 days) require reinstatement fees. Title 24 Part 6 energy compliance documentation (Title 24 forms) must accompany applications for HVAC, reroof, and window projects.