Counter Hours: The Community Development Department is currently providing reduced walk-in counter service for the Building and Planning Divisions, effective September 25, 2025, through March 2026. 

Monday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (no Building Official) 
Tuesday: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm 
Wednesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm (closed for lunch, 12:30 – 1:30 pm) 
Thursday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 
Friday: Closed
Closed on Holidays

HOLIDAY CLOSURE: CLOSED ON JANUARY 19, 2026.  INSPECTIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE

Building Division of the Pacifica Community Development Department reviews and issues permits for construction and demolition.

Building Codes

As of January 1, 2026, the building code changed to the 2025 versions of the California codes, including but not limited to: Residential Code, Building Code, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, as well as CalGreen.

  • Update on Reach Codes
    • Due to recent legal developments, the City of Pacifica has temporarily paused enforcement of portions of its Reach Code that require new buildings to be all-electric.
  • Green Building in Pacifica
    • On January 1, 2023, the 2022 California Building Code including Green Building Standards Code (GBSC) and local amendments took effect. You can find the local amendments to the  GBSC in Pacifica Municipal Code (PMC) Title 8, Chapter 7.

 

Building Permits and Protected and Heritage Trees

Tree Encroachment, Protection, and Preservation Plans for New Construction

When engaging in new construction within 50 feet of a protected or heritage tree, the following guidelines must be followed:

  1. Plan Requirement: A Tree Encroachment, Protection, and Preservation Plan is required.

    • The plan must be prepared by a qualified professional, such as:
      • Arborist
      • Horticulturist
      • Landscape Architect
      • Other qualified individual

  2. Reference to Pacifica Municipal Code:

    • For specific rules regarding tree protection, preservation plans, and building permits, refer to Sections 4-12.06, 4-12.08, and 4-12.11 of the Pacifica Municipal Code.

Tree Measurement Standard

  • Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is the standard method for measuring trees.
  • Definition: DBH refers to the tree's diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.

 

This measurement is used to assess the size of a tree for purposes such as protection, preservation, and regulation.

. Tree Ordinance page.

 

 

Building Review Process

  • 1st review takes about 3-4 weeks. If there are comments from any of the departments, they will be released to the applicant when all reviewers have completed the review.
  • Resubmittal reviews take about 2-3 weeks each.
  • Solar review of 34kw or less system takes 3 days plus processing.
  • When the project is approved by all departments, the project will be in the processing stage, which can take up to a week from when the last reviewer completed the review. This process consists of collating all the submitted files to create an approved set of plans and docs, stamping the files, and calculating the final fees.
  • Applicants will be notified of the next steps after the processing stage through their permit account.
  • Check your spam/junk folder for the notifications from the online permit system "donotreply@csgengr.com".

*If adding a bedroom, the Park Facilities fee may apply.

*If adding 500 square feet or more, you may need to pay fees to the Jefferson Union High School District.

Apply for a Building Permit / Revision online (or check current building permit applications) 

Online Permit Portal Submittal Procedures

SolarApp+

If you are installing a solar photovoltaic rooftop system and an energy storage system on a single family or duplex home, you may qualify to apply for real-time permits through SolarAPP+ or streamlined permits through Permits Online. 

Please refer to the SolarAPP+ Eligibility Checklist to see which systems are eligible. 

All other solar/PV  installations require a regular Building Permit.

Second Units

Interested in building a second unit (Accessory Dwelling Unit)? Through a partnership with 21 Elements and Home for All, a second unit resource center has been created with a very helpful step-by-step workbook for homeowners. These workbook takes homeowners from vision to permitting to what to know when becoming a landlord for the first time.