Berkeley permit search: look up, apply and check a permit

How do I search permits by address in Berkeley?

Use the City of Berkeley record-history instructions to search by address, neighborhood, or zip on Building Eye. The city says its coverage includes building and planning permits issued since 1993; the sidebar also offers permit-number, date-received and permit-type filters.

You can search for building or planning permits issued since 1993 on Building Eye. Search by address, neighborhood, or zip; or use the filters on the left sidebar to filter by permit number, date received, or permit type.

Source: Research Permit Records | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

Describe the work behind your Berkeley permit search on InstaBids to request written contractor bids.

Berkeley permit figures: city guidance read November 6, 2026

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Do I need a permit for a fence in Berkeley?

Berkeley uses different heights for building and zoning permits. A fence under 7 feet does not need a building permit under the city’s exemption entry, while a fence over 6 feet needs a zoning permit. Read both thresholds when describing your fence project.

Fences under 7 feet high do not require a building permit. Fences over 6 feet high require a zoning permit.

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

Put your Berkeley fence dimensions and work description in an InstaBids request for written bids.

Start my request for a fence in Berkeley

Do I need a permit for a shed in Berkeley?

Berkeley lists a building-permit exemption for a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse, or similar use, provided its floor area is no greater than 120 square feet. The city also says a zoning permit may be required despite a building-permit exemption.

One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet.

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

For a Berkeley shed project, use InstaBids to give contractors the same written description.

Start my request for a shed in Berkeley

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Berkeley?

The City of Berkeley permit-requirements handout names an owner or authorized agent as the applicant for the construction and system work it describes. The quoted rule calls for an application to the building official and the required permit before that work; it does not describe a blanket homeowner exemption.

Pursuant to California Building Code (CBC) Section 105 and California Residential Code (CRC) Section R105, any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the California Building Standards Code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Source: Permit Requirements and Exemptions, Form 140, read 2026-11-06

You can describe your Berkeley construction project on InstaBids while deciding which written bid to choose.

What work does not need a permit in Berkeley?

Berkeley includes painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work in its building-permit exemption list. The city says exempt work must still follow applicable building standards and Berkeley laws; a zoning permit may still be needed. That caveat applies alongside the listed work.

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

The city distinguishes a building-permit exemption from code compliance and zoning. Its exemption page supplies the following qualification, which is relevant when using the finish-work, fence and shed entries above.

Some types of building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work do not require a building permit from the City of Berkeley. Even if you don’t need a permit, you do still need to follow the California Building Standards Code and applicable Berkeley City laws and ordinances. A zoning permit may be required, even if a building permit is not.

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

Use an InstaBids request to describe the Berkeley finish work you want contractors to bid on.

How do I apply for a building permit in Berkeley?

The Berkeley Permits Online instructions begin with logging in or registering, then selecting Generate Request under Building Permits and agreeing to the terms. Choose Building Permit or Minor Permit to match the project scope, upload the PDF plans and supporting documents, and submit the application. Read Permits Online for the city instructions.

Read the city’s Permits Online application instructions. The city requires plans for building permits other than minor permits.

Describe your Berkeley project once on InstaBids and send the request for written contractor bids.

What do I need before I apply in Berkeley?

For an in-person plan submittal, Berkeley directs applicants to prepare unrestricted PDFs under 195 MB and bring those files on a USB flash drive. The city’s online instructions separately require plans for building permits except minor permits. Use the instructions for the submission method you are following. See Plan Check.

Read the city’s Plan Check instructions for the electronic-file requirements.

An InstaBids project description can set out the Berkeley work you want covered in written bids.

How do I check my permit status in Berkeley?

Berkeley directs applicants to their processed application in Permits Online to track plan-review status, upload additional documents, or schedule inspections. The Accela search page describes the status path as finding a permit, opening Record Info, and selecting Processing Status.

Access your processed permit application through the Permits Online portal, to track plan review status, upload additional documents, or schedule inspections.

Source: Permits Online | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

Use InstaBids to describe the Berkeley work associated with your permit when requesting contractor bids.

How do I find building permit records in Berkeley?

Berkeley separates its permit records by era: Building Eye covers building or planning permits issued since 1993, and older permits are available on microfiche. The city says those older records can be viewed at the Permit Service Center or requested in digital or printed form.

Permits issued before 1993 are available on microfiche. You can view microfiche records on the computers in the Permit Service Center, or request copies of the records to take home. Fill out a Microfiche Request for Permit Records form to request the records in digital or printed format.

Source: Research Permit Records | City of Berkeley, read 2026-11-06

Your Berkeley permit-history research can help you describe the project you post on InstaBids.

Sources

• Building Permits | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Permit Service Center | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Plan Check | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Research Permit Records | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Permits Online | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Work Exempt from Building Permits | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Permit Requirements and Exemptions, Form 140 (berkeleyca.gov), read 2026-11-06
• Accela Citizen Access (aca-prod.accela.com), read 2026-11-06