Union City, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- Uniform Admin. Code, 1997 Ed.
- Administrator
- Building Inspection Division
- Appeals body
- City-appointed Board of Appeals
- Effective date
- Jan. 1, 2020
Summary
Union City administers building permit inspections through its adopted Uniform Administrative Code, with disputed building official rulings decided by a City-appointed Board of Appeals.
The Uniform Administrative Code, 1997 Edition, and appendices thereto, published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), Whittier, California, is hereby adopted by reference as the Uniform Administrative Code of 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 and provisions, requirements, orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force on January 1, 2020. (Ord. 871-19 § 3, 2019)
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 § 15.36.010 adopts the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code by reference to govern building permit administration and inspections citywide, effective January 1, 2020. The Building Inspection Division of the Economic and Community Development Department serves as the administrative authority overseeing permit review and field inspections. Under § 15.36.080, the Board of Appeals, one or more hearing officers appointed by the City Council, hears challenges to a building official's or inspector's determinations, and its decision is final. Fees for inspections and permits follow the fee schedule the City Council adopts by resolution under § 15.36.070.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with the Administrative Code's permit and inspection rules is an infraction carrying $150, $300, then $600 fines per citation, and the violation is declared a public nuisance the City can abate (§§ 15.36.040-.050).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who inspects building permits in Union City?
Can I appeal a building official's inspection decision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
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