The Building Inspection Division reviews construction documents, issues building permits, and conducts inspections on most construction projects within the City of Newark.  All Building permits are now electronic!

ALL permits are now issued electronically!  An application for a building permit can often include drawings/plans that describe the proposed work. These plans are reviewed by City staff for compliance with applicable state and local codes as well as federal disabled access standards. Once the plans are approved a building permit can be issued. Not all applications will require plans. Some of the exceptions are:

• Water heater replacements
• Electrical service upgrades
• Re-piping an existing residence
• Minor electrical work
• Minor plumbing work
• Re-roofing
• Heater and/or air conditioning installations and replacements
• Pest control damage
• Solar applications (not eligible for SolarApp+, Require plans but can be submitted via email due to the shorter turnaround)

The City of Newark has adopted SolarAPP+, an automated online application for instantaneous permitting of new residential rooftop solar and storage systems. 

To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the Eligibility Checklist. Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated portal for instant permitting: https://gosolarapp.org/ 

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

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT NOT REQUIRING PLANS

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT REQUIRING PLANS

Submittal Checklist_SFD and MFD

Submittal Checklist_COMMERCIAL

 Inspection services:

We encourage submitting your request via email to birequests@newark.org or you may call the Building Inspection Division main line at (510) 578-4261 and use Option 1.  A staff member will contact you as soon as possible. 

Please provide the following information:

• Address of project
• Permit number
• Type of inspection requested
• Onsite contact (Name and Phone Number)
• Preferred date and time frame (AM/PM)

Most Requested Items

• Permit Application(PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
• Submittal Checklist_SFD and MFD Detailed
• Submittal Checklist_COMMERCIAL
• 2024 NEWARK CALENDAR
• Waste Management Plan

Additional Information

Our information is consistently being updated. Should you require additional information regarding Construction, Permit Issuance and Code Requirements not listed on our page, please send us an email at: building.inspection@newark.org