Community Development

These steps follow the City's Residential Permit Application Guide.

• Residential Permit Application Guide (PDF)

1. 1

   Step 1: Review your project scope

   Design changes visible from the street, or any added square footage, typically require Current Planning approval. If your project will change the layout or appearance of your home, please contact Current Planning before you begin.

   • Call Current Planning, 831-758-7206
   • Email currplanwebmail@salinas.gov
2. 2

   Step 2: Determine whether you need a permit

   Any change or addition to the electrical, plumbing, roofing, or mechanical (HVAC) systems, the structure of the home, or the building footprint requires a permit. This includes many replacements in the same location, such as an HVAC change-out, a re-roof, or electrical and plumbing replacements, which use a Simple Permit.

   • Find your pre-application checklist
3. 3

   Step 3: Consider hiring a design professional

   Additions or alterations to the structure of a home, such as room additions, added square footage, ADUs, and garage conversions, require a set of plans. A qualified design professional can help your project move through review and approval more quickly.

   • When is a licensed professional required?(PDF on an external site, opens in a new tab)
4. 4

   Step 4: Consider hiring a contractor

   A residential permit allows homeowners to complete the work themselves. To help your project proceed smoothly, you may hire a qualified, licensed contractor.

   • CSLB guide to hiring a contractor(external site, opens in a new tab)

After these steps are completed, you are ready to apply for a permit. Select the next tab, "Apply for a permit", to view your next steps.

Unsure what your project needs? Start with "Plan a new project".

1. 5

   Step 5: Create your permit portal account

   To apply for a permit, create an account on the Salinas Paperless Permit Portal. Payments, forms, and status updates are all managed in the portal.

   • Open the Paperless Permit Portal(external site, opens in a new tab)
   • How to create an account (video)(YouTube, opens in a new tab)
   • Cómo crear una cuenta (video)(YouTube, opens in a new tab)
2. 6

   Step 6: Submit your permit application

   Complete the application, then submit it and upload your documents. Use your pre-application checklist to confirm that every required document is included.

   • Pre-application checklists
   • Paperless Permit Applicant Guide (PDF)

For permits that have been issued and work that has started.

• Building Inspections page
• Contractors: schedule in eTRAKiT(external site, opens in a new tab)

Add a backyard home or convert a garage into a living unit. The City offers pre-approved ADU plans in several styles and sizes, designed to reduce preconstruction costs and shorten permit review.

• ADU guide and pre-approved plans
• Call the ADU Hotline, 831-758-7208

Find out what is allowed at an address before you buy, lease, or change the use of a property. Current Planning can explain the zoning and any approvals your plans would require.

• Current Planning and zoning
• Speak with a planner, 831-758-7206

Opening a business at home or in a storefront may require a Home Occupation Permit, a business license, and zoning review.

• Starting a business in Salinas
• Business licenses and home-based business permits
• Call Business Support, 831-758-7367

To report blight, unpermitted work, a zoning violation, or another code concern at a property, submit a request through SalinasCONNECT.

• Report a violation in SalinasCONNECT(external site, opens in a new tab)
• Call Code Enforcement, 831-758-7157

If you received a notice or citation about your property, please call Code Enforcement to learn how to pay or respond. Staff can also answer any questions and provide additional guidance.

• Call Code Enforcement, 831-758-7157

For help finding affordable housing or staying housed, homeless services, or registering a rental property.

• Housing programs and assistance
• Homeless services
• Rental registration and rent stabilization
• Call Housing, 831-758-7334
• Call the Homeless Services Line, 831-775-4269

• Planning feesFee schedule on the Current Planning page.
• Building permit feesPermit information on the Permit Services page.

Fee amounts are maintained on these official pages so they are always current.