Building FAQ

BUILDING AND ENGINEERING
FAQ- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When is the public counter open? What are permit technician counter hours?
2. How can I find out my plan check?
3. What are work exempt building permit?
4. What are over the counter permits and what are the requirements to obtain a permit?”
5. How long do I have before my permit expires??
6. How do I request an extension of my building permit?
7. How can I change contractors?
8. How long do I have before my plan check expires?
9. How does the permitting process work?
10. Where /how do I obtain copies of building permits/plans?
11. How do I request a building inspection?
12. What time is building construction allowed? Can work be done on weekends?”
13. Who do I contact to file a complaint about illegal construction??
14. Additional Resources

“Q: When is the public counter open? What are permit technician counter hours?

Check the Building home page for updates.

Q: How can I find out my plan check status?

A: Online plan check status is available. Select the “Building Permit Application Status” link to find out the status. You will need to have the plan check number in order to search. Online plan check status is updated every 24 hours. If you have any concerns regarding the plan check status you may contact the Building Department.

Plan check time frames vary by the type of project.  Below is a listing of the type of projects and the timeframes.

Please do not call the office for plan check status prior to the plan check time frames listed HERE. Once all reviewing departments have approved, the plans will be processed for permit issuance.  The final approval process includes gathering signatures from all reviewing departments and calculating the final permit fees.  Please allow 1-5 working days for the final approval process after project approval. 

Q: What are work exempt building permits?

A: The California Building Code and the Oxnard Municipal Code have established a list of construction work that does not require building permits. The Building Department provides a graphic example of typical building elements for single family construction which are exempt from the permit requirement, any work that does not meet the criteria will need a building permit. The form can be found under the handouts section. For further information on work exempt permits you may reference the California Building Code CBRC 105.2 or CBC 105.2

Q: What are over the counter permits and what are the requirements to obtain a permit?

A: The following are a listing of Over-The-Counter permits and their requirements.

(Permits with an * are accepted online, you may submit using the Online application)
Re-Roof Permit
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information:
Number of squares (S.F.)
Proposed roofing material
Size and weight of felt

Pitch
Thickness of plywood (clarify if ½ inch or OSB)
Number of layers of underlayment
Drip edge size

Window Permit (New or Enlarge)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information
Square footage of all windows combined
Floor plan required
Planning review required
Completed Windows Worksheet (see handouts for this information)
Title 24 Energy Forms are not required at permit issuance, only at time of inspection

Window Permit (Replacement)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information
Square footage of all windows combined
Floor plan required
Completed Windows Worksheet (see handouts for this information)
Title 24 Energy Forms are not required at permit issuance, only at time of inspection

Wall or Fence Permit (Wood fence less than 6’ no permit required)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information
Linear footage.
Height and materials
Plot plan required.
Planning review required.
Public Works review required to check for easements.
If wall is shared between neighbors, homeowner authorization form is required.
Building permits are not required for block walls less than 42” in height. The planning department may have restrictions please contact the Planning department at (805)-385-7858.

Panel Upgrade Permit (Electrical Panel)
If you are planning on relocation the panel we will need a plot plan showing the new location of panel, and the size of the panel. Once the permit has been issued contact Southern California Edison to have the location approved. The SCE approval of the new location will be needed prior to inspections.

If it is a panel upgrade at the same location you will need to fill out the Building Permit application and include the panel upgrade size and location of the panel.

Re-Pipe (House)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information:
Type and number of plumbing fixtures,
Copper vs Pex, If Pex piping is being used, a letter from the Contractor is required asking for alternate materials.
If Pex, provide brand, model, system type.
Type if fittings (Ex. Welded or Crimp)
No plot plan required

Water Main (Replace)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information:
Plot plan required showing main line location, length, size and material

Sewer Line (Replace)
Fill out a Building Permit application with the following information:
Plot plan required showing
-Length, Trenchless or not, Material
-Clean-out location

Water Heaters (New or Relocate)
Fill out a Building permit application with the following information:
Size and location
Plot plan required showing new location.
Planning review required, if located within the garage, may not intrude on minimum garage space dimensions.

Water Heaters (Replace in same location)
Fill out a Building permit application with the following information:
Size and location of the water heater (for tank-less heaters, you will need to speak to a plan checker prior to obtaining the permit)

Gas Line Permit (Replacement)
Fill out a Building permit application with the following information:
Size and material used for the gas line.
A plot plan is required.

HVAC (New or Relocated)
Fill out a Building permit application with the following information:
Number of duct/ branches supply and returns
Plot plan required if located outside and relocating
If FAU located in attic, size of opening, rafter of platform mounting, light switch, outlet and light required
Planning review required.
– Provide noise rating of unit and provide a minimum 5′ setback from side and rear property lines.
– Size, location and efficiency of units
Title 24 Energy form is required at permit issuance and at time of inspection.

HVAC (Replace in same location)
Fill out a Building permit application with the following information:
Size, location and efficiency of units
Number of duct/ branches supply and returns
If FAU located in attic, size of opening, rafter of platform mounting, light switch, outlet and light required
Energy form required at permit issuance

Q: How long do I have before my building permit expires?

A: Once a permit has been issued you have 180 days to request an inspection. Once you have an approved inspection there is 180 days granted automatically. Exceptions to this are Code Compliance permits. All Code Compliance permits expire 30 days date of issuance. Any request of extension will be processed by the Code Compliance Division. You may contact them at (805) 385-7940.

Q: How do I request an extension of my building permit?

A: You may contact the Building and Engineering department to obtain a Building Permit Extension Request form. If the extension is not granted a new set of plans meeting new code requirements will need to be submitted (if applicable). A letter must be included in the new set of plans asking to close the old permit. A revision to the original plans does not restart the time frame.

Q: How can I change contractors?

A: In order to change contractor you will need to provide a letter from contractor stating they ARE RELIEVING themselves of the job, and at what point the construction was left at.

Q: How long do I have before my plan check expires?

A: If a plan check is dormant for more than 180 days, the plan check can be expired by the department. Check with the building department if you have any concerns regarding your project.

Q: How does the permitting process work?

A: Each building construction project is unique and presents a different combination of requirements and reviews. Part of the role of the Building and Engineering Department is to identify which city departments need to review each project and ensure that all required approvals are obtained. The application for a building permit could require the approval or the review from the following City departments:

Building and Safety – reviews the plans for compliance to the City of Oxnard’s Building Code, California’s Building Standards Code and compliance to any applicable Conditions of Approval.

Engineering – reviews the plans and design for the proposed public improvements, compliance to City standards, grading, encroachments, connections to City services, and compliance to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System requirements.
Fire – reviews plans for compliance to the California Fire Code, general fire life safety requirements, fire protection systems, and for compliance to any applicable Conditions of Approval.

Planning – reviews plans for the placement of new structures within property boundaries for zoning requirements such as building setbacks, density, building height, lot coverage, floor area ratios and ensures construction plans comply with all Conditions of Approval.
Public Works – reviews plans for the proposed public improvements, encroachments, connections to City services, and compliance to any applicable Conditions of Approval.

Source Control- reviews plans for commercial/industrial project that might have potential pollution discharge. They regulate levels of contamination before they have a chance of entering the storm drains such as restaurants, automotive repair shops and construction sites.

Q: Where/how do I obtain copies of Building Permits/plans?

A: Copies of building permits or plans can be requested in person, fax, or online. Please allow up to 7-14 business days for processing. To submit online requests please select the “Building Records Research and Copy of Documents” link. 

Q: How do I request a building inspection?

A: Building inspections are schedules between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Inspection timeframe can only be provided the day of the inspection. Please call and ask to speak to your inspector between 8:15 a.m. -8:45 a.m.(M,T,TH,F ) 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Inspection requests can be scheduled using the City of Oxnard’s Integrated Voice Response System (IVR) (805) 247-8980. The request for inspection must be scheduled by midnight the day before the requested inspection date. A preference can be made for an a.m. or p.m. inspection, but cannot be guaranteed.

An inspection can also be scheduled either in person at the Building and Safety counter, or by telephoning (805) 385-7936. Phone-in requests for inspections must be received by 5:30 p.m. the day prior to the requested inspection. When requesting an inspection provide the permit/application number, job address, and the type of inspection needed and contact person.

Q: What time is building construction allowed? Can work be done on weekends?

A: City of Oxnard City Code Section 7-188, allows noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property, provided the activities occur during the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on weekdays, including Saturdays. Sounds associated with the maintenance of real property, provided the activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Q: Who do I contact to file a complaint about illegal construction?

A: All complaints of possible illegal construction should be made to City of Oxnard’s Code Compliance Division, (805) 385-7940. Complaints can be made online at code.compliance@oxnard.org.

Additional Resources
California State License Board
California State License Board List of License Types
International Code Council
Energy Code Ace