Fire Rebuild Permits

Permits Currently Under Review

All existing building permits will be reviewed within the published turnaround times. City staff may request applicants to submit digital versions of documents that were previously submitted in a paper form when necessary to complete the review process. Applicants will be contacted directly if a digital copy of the submittal is needed. Resubmittals can be sent to [email protected]

New Building Permits and Encroachment Permits – Virtual Counter

All new building and encroachment permit applications associated with the reconstruction of a home or structure damaged by the wildfires will be accepted and must be submitted digitally. Staff will work directly with each application to coordinate permit issuance.

How do I apply?

Building Permits

New applications can be submitted to [email protected].

Encroachment Permits

All encroachment applications must be submitted digitally through the City’s encroachment permit submittal portal.

Any questions associated with existing or future encroachment permit applications can be directed to [email protected] or (707) 543-4649.

Fire Department Permits

The project may qualify for online permitting through the City’s existing building permit submittal portal.

Projects that do not qualify for online permitting may still submit an application digitally. Complete a fillable PDF version of the building permit application. The completed fire rebuild permit application, plus all required plans, specifications, materials, calculations, etc., should be compiled in a single PDF and can be submitted by uploading them to the Citizen portal or, when instructed, sent to [email protected]. All plans submitted digitally must be formatted to scale and printable on a document size not smaller than 11” x 17”.

Any questions associated with existing or future fire permit applications can be directed to [email protected] or (707) 543-3500.

Building Permits 

Permits Currently Under Review 

The Building Division is currently working with all departments within the City involved in the plan review process in order to complete the review of all applied for permits. City staff may request applicants to submit digital versions of documents that were previously submitted in a paper form when necessary to complete the review process. Applicants will be contacted directly if a digital copy of the submittal is needed.  Projects that can initiate construction under the current Order will be able to obtain an issued permit once the review process is complete and the project is deemed approved.  Staff will contact each applicant to make arrangements for the issuance of the permit and any associated fee payments. Projects that are not able to perform construction activities under the Order will be eligible for permit issuance once the Shelter In Place Order is lifted or is amended to allow for the construction proposed under the application.

New Building Permits – Virtual Counter

Currently, the City is accepting all new building permit applications. Only building permits that include a scope of work that is permitted to proceed under the Order or any amended version of the Order will be issued. The review of projects that address an immediate health/life safety issue, support a direct response to the coronavirus emergency, and/or are determined to further City Council goals and coronavirus Recovery Task Force objectives will be prioritized. Projects that do not meet priority criteria will still be accepted, but please note that processing delays are expected due to limited remote staff and referral agency resources during the public health emergency.

How do I apply? 

The project may qualify for online permitting through the City’s existing building online permit submittal portal. Through this online portal, appropriately licensed contractors can obtain auto-issue simple trade permits such as residential mechanical, residential re-roof, water-heater or electrical panel. Anyone can submit and upload electronic plans for review for residential addition-alteration permit types such as solar, solar with ESS, additions, ADU/JADU conversions, window replacements, interior remodels, etc. These permits will only be issued to licensed contractors or owner-builders when approved. All other record types, such as non-residential projects, residential new single-family dwellings, or detached ADU's must be submitted through email. See below for more information. 

Projects that do not qualify for online permitting may still file a digital application. The completed building permit application, plus the associated plans and any applicable technical documents shall be submitted as separate PDFs. Remote digital reviews, revisions, and issuances may require additional coordination. If the project requires the submittal of multiple technical documents, each indIvidual document shall be formatted as a separate PDF. The submittal package can be emailed to [email protected] as an email attachment if the documents do not exceed 15MB. For larger submittal packages, the applicant may either provide a link to a cloud drive in the body of the email or request that staff provide a link to update submittal documents. All submittals must include a completed Building Permit Application that can be found with the Building Forms.

Complex housing and commercial projects may be required to conduct a consultation session with a Counter Technician prior to the commencement of the formal application process. Submittal consultations can be scheduled by submitting a written request to [email protected] or by calling (707) 543-3200.

Any questions associated with existing or future building permit applications can be directed to [email protected] or (707) 543-3200 .

Fire Department Construction Permits

For more information, go to the Fire Department's webpage on Fire Construction Plan Review and Inspections.

Planning Applications

Planning Entitlements – Virtual Counter and In-Person Submittal Options

Planning entitlements applications are being accepted through the City’s virtual public counter and in-person, by appointment only.  

How do I apply?

The Planning Application Portal provides information about the application process and includes checklists for specific Planning entitlements that may be submitted in an electronic format to [email protected], or in person at City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3) by appointment only. Please visit Qless or call (707) 543-4623 to schedule an appointment. 

Public meetings and hearings on these items will be conducted in person with an option for members of the public to participate remotely. Questions or requests associated with filing an electronic planning application can be directed to [email protected] or (707) 543-3200, email preferred.

Pre-Application Support - Online and In-Person 

Staff is available to review pre-application proposals, respond to zoning inquiries, provide initial feedback, and discuss application requirements and processing procedures.  General inquiries or questions related to specific projects, or requests for a pre-application meeting should be sent to [email protected]. Support can also be provided in person at City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3) by appointment only. Please visit Qless or call (707) 543-4623 to schedule an appointment.  

Encroachment Permits

Permits Currently Under Review 

Engineering staff is currently working remotely and will be completing the review of any applied for encroachment permit applications.  City staff may request applicants to submit digital versions of documents that were previously submitted in paper format when necessary to complete the review process.  Applicants will be contacted directly if a digital copy of the submittal is needed.  Only encroachment permits that include a scope of work that is permitted to proceed under the Order will be issued.  All other permits will be placed on hold until the shelter in place orders are lifted or the construction allowances expand to cover the proposals under the application.

New Encroachment Permits – Virtual Counter

At this time, the City is accepting all new encroachment permit types through the virtual permitting counter. Only encroachment permits that include a scope of work that is permitted to proceed under the Order or any future Orders or amended versions of the Order will be issued.

How do I apply?

All encroachment applications must be submitted digitally through the City’s encroachment permit submittal portal.

Any questions associated with existing or future encroachment permit applications can be directed to [email protected] or (707) 543-4611.

Engineering Applications
Final Maps, Improvement Plans, Certificates of Compliance and Easement Deeds

Applications Currently Under Review

Engineering staff is currently working remotely towards completing the review of any previously applied for engineering applications.  City staff may request applicants to submit digital versions of documents that were previously submitted in paper format when necessary to complete the review process. Applicants will be contacted directly if a digital copy of the submittal is needed.  All engineering applications will be signed digitally. If a wet signature is required due to requirements in place at the County Recorder’s Office, delivery and return via mail of the executable copies will be allowed. The applicant will be required to deliver all documents to the County Recorder’s Office and must provide the department with conformed copies

New Application Submittals – Virtual Counter

All new engineering applications are currently being accepted. Projects that address an immediate health/life safety issue, support a direct response to the coronavirus emergency, and/or are determined to further City Council goals and COVID-19 Recovery Task Force objectives will be prioritized. Projects that do not meet priority criteria will still be accepted, but please note that processing delays are expected due to limited remote staff and referral agency resources.

How do I apply?

Applications within this category will be accepted digitally and, depending on the application type, may follow different processes. Engineering applications can be obtained here. Simple applications such as easement deeds may be submitted by sending a PDF version of the application and a separate PDF of the associated submittal documents to [email protected]. It is recommended that a consultation with staff be conducted prior to application submittal if there are any questions regarding submittal attachments. Consultations can be scheduled by submitting a written request to [email protected]. Complex submittals such as improvement plans and subdivision maps may require additional processes based on file size. A formal request to submit a new final/parcel map or public improvement plan set can be send to [email protected]. Staff will respond with the appropriate set of filing requirements based on the specific proposal.

Parklets and Outdoor Seating

The City of Santa Rosa is testing a pilot program to allow the use of public and private outdoor spaces, such as parking spots, select street locations, and sidewalks to allow for outdoor dining at Santa Rosa’s restaurants and possibly broader business activities.

Those businesses looking to add outdoor seating, with Parklets or on the sidewalk or street, should refer to these process documents and applications to get started:

• Temporary Parklets
• Temporary outdoor seating on private property
• Temporary sidewalk seating 

Applicants must also follow guidance for outdoor seating to follow ADA requirements.

How do I apply?

All applications can be submitted digitally through the City’s digital permit submittal portal.