How to Get an Express Permit

An Express Permit allows single-family residential property owners to complete work for certain project types without any need for plan review or a trip to the Permit Services Center. Qualifying projects may be issued a building permit entirely online within a matter of a couple of days. Prior to starting the Express Permit process please view the Express Permit Information Bulletin to verify that your proposed project is eligible. 

Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for, and obtain, an Express Permit are detailed below and can also be found in PDF form here.

Continue the Process:

Complete the following steps to obtain an Express Permit

  1. Confirm your project is eligible

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    Verify that your project qualifies for an Express Permit by reviewing the Express Permit Information Bulletin.  

  2. Create/Submit application using Citizen Access

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    Create and submit an application on Citizen Access. Step-by-step instructions on how to create the building permit application record can be found here. 

  3. Wait for Project Verification

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    Upon successful completion of creation of a project application, you will receive a confirmation email with an assigned EXP record number. This number is your application reference number and is not your building permit number. 

    Staff will verify that the submitted project is eligible for an Express Permit. This process typically takes up to two business days. You will receive a follow-up email with instructions of next steps once the verification process is completed. 

  4. Project Approval / Disapproval

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    An email including one of the following three instructions will be sent to applicant once staff has completed the project verification process.Project Approved - The proposed project has been verified as eligible for an Express Permit. Applicant will receive an email with a 'BLD' record number and instructions on how to pay fees. The 'BLD' record number is your building permit number and is the number that should be used when referencing the project and scheduling inspections.

    1. Project Approved - The proposed project has been verified as eligible for an Express Permit. Applicant will receive an email with a 'BLD' record number and instructions on how to pay fees. The 'BLD' record number is your building permit number and is the number that should be used when referencing the project and scheduling inspections. 
    2. Additional Information Required - The submittal information provided was incomplete. The additional information requested in the email should be completed and returned to the City via 311. 
    3. Project Disapproved - The project has been determined to not be eligible for an Express Permit. Ineligible projects are required to submit a building permit application and plans (if applicable) using the regular submittal process.  

  5. Pay Fees

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    Upon successful verification of project eligibility, applicant will receive confirmation email with a building permit number and notification of fees due. Fees may be paid online by visiting Citizen Access, or in-person at the Permit Services Center. Instructions on how to pay fees can be found here. 

  6. Complete Building Permit Declarations

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    Visit https://declarations.smgov.net to complete the permit declarations form 

  7. Permit Issuance

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    The building permit may be printed from the confirmation page that you are directed to after fees have been paid. Your building permit is not valid until all three of the following items are completed:

    1. Pay fees
    2. Complete Declaration form
    3. Print building permit and post on job site. 

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