Westminster, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Chapter 15.04, Administrative Code
- Exempt work
- 12 categories under § 15.04.050
- Demolition bond
- $2,500 + $1.25/sq ft over 1,000 sq ft
- Violation classification
- Infraction or misdemeanor, City discretion
- Continuing violation
- Each day is a separate offense
- Relocation of commercial buildings
- Barred outright, no permit issued
Summary
Westminster requires a building permit for nearly all construction, alteration, or demolition work under its Administrative Code (Chapter 15.04). Only a short list of minor items, such as tool sheds under 120 square feet, low walls, and small above-ground pools, are exempt under Section 301.2.1. Anything else, including relocating or demolishing a building, needs a permit from the Building Official before work starts.
301.2.1 Building permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following: 1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and conforming to the Zoning Code. ... 12. Sidewalks and driveways that are not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, not part of an accessible route and not part of a commercial site. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the technical codes or any other laws or ordinances of the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4982734; v10 updated 2026-06-10).
Full Breakdown
04 adopts the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code and layers on Westminster-specific amendments. 1, adopted by Ordinance 2508 in 2013, lists twelve categories of minor work exempt from a building permit: detached tool sheds and playhouses of 120 square feet or less, masonry walls and fences of 4 feet or less, retaining walls of 4 feet or less, finish work like painting and tiling, temporary movie sets, small above-ground pools under 5,000 gallons and 18 inches deep, shade cloth structures, playground equipment, narrow window awnings, low fixtures and partitions, wood decks under 30 inches high, and sidewalks or driveways under 30 inches above grade.
25 per square foot over 1,000 square feet. 070 that is separate from and in addition to the permit fee itself, plus a per-inspection fee for compliance checks.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit is unlawful under Section 205.1 of the Administrative Code (§ 15.04.030) and is charged as an infraction, though the City Attorney or District Attorney may instead file it as a misdemeanor. Each day the unpermitted work continues counts as a new, separate violation, so penalties accumulate daily until the work is legalized. Demolition without the required bond can also cost the owner the full cash deposit for city cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in Westminster?
What happens if I build without a permit in Westminster?
Do I need a permit to move a building into Westminster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
California rules heatmap·Compare Westminster to another location·View the California building safety overview
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How other cities in Orange County handle building permits.