Union City, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 CA Building Code
- Effective date
- Jan. 1, 2026
- First infraction fine
- $150
- Administering agency
- Building Inspection Division
Summary
Union City requires a permit for any building erected, altered, repaired, relocated, or added to under its adopted 2025 California Building Code.
The 2025 California Building Code (Based on the 2024 International Building Code) and State of California Amendments, published by the International Code Council, and all revisions and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council, are hereby adopted by reference as the Building Code of the City of Union City, regulating the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of buildings within the City of Union City.
B. One copy of said Code and appendices thereto has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Union City at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California, and the same or identical copy thereof, not less than one in number, shall at all times be kept on file for similar use.
C. The rules, regulations, provisions, requirements, orders, and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force on January 1, 2026. (Ord. 2025-006, 11/25/2025)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code § 15.40.010 adopts the 2025 California Building Code (based on the 2024 International Building Code) by reference as the city's Building Code, covering erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, and maintenance of buildings citywide. The Building Inspection Division within the Economic and Community Development Department administers permits and inspections. The rules took effect January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 2025-006. Permit fees follow a City Council resolution schedule (§ 15.40.070), and disputes over building official determinations go to a Board of Appeals of hearing officers appointed by the City Council, whose decision is final (§ 15.40.080).
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit brings a $150 first infraction, $300 second, $600 third, escalating to a chargeable misdemeanor thereafter, and the unpermitted work is declared a public nuisance the City may abate (§§ 15.40.040-.050).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small home addition in Union City?
What happens if I build without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle building permits.