An inspector is now available at City Hall to review permits and answer questions every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The City Engineer has counter hours for questions on a first come first served basis on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

City of Larkspur
BUILDING DIVISION/ CODE ENFORCEMENT
Phone (415) 927-5038     FAX (415) 927-5022
Website: www.ci.larkspur.ca.us

Building Department Location/Telephone
City Hall, 400 Magnolia Avenue (2nd Floor)
Larkspur, CA 94939

Building Dept. (415) 927-5038; Schedule an inspections: (415) 927-5033

Hours of operation
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 5 pm (closed 12 noon - 1 pm). Closed to the public on Friday.
Inspector available for questions at counter: T-W-TH, 9:00 - 10:00am

The Building Department is responsible for enforcing the building, housing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes of the city. Also performs inspection work to ensure that residential, commercial and industrial construction is in compliance with applicable codes and ordinances; issues building, plumbing and electrical permits; and reviews all construction plans. Administers heritage tree ordinance.

Examples of Duties

• Inspect buildings during construction to ensure compliance with the building code, the approved plans and specifications.
• Assist and advise the general public in matters relating to construction and code requirements.
• Process building permit applications.
• Review plans for code compliance.
• Investigate complaints and make inspections of existing buildings to determine if hazardous or illegal conditions exist relating to structures and their use.
• Prepare written reports, issue notices to correct code violations, issue "stop work" notices.
• Inspect homes prior to transfer of title.

"Fast Track" Permits Issued
Over-the-Counter minor permits issued: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00-10:00am
Re-roofing, furnace or water heater change-outs, window replacement, minor plumbing, minor mechanical, minor electrical/electrical service up-grade, and demolition.

To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first complete an application form provided at the building department office and pay the appropriate fees.

Contractor Requirements
Licensed contractors must complete the Worker's Compensation Declaration section of the building permit. THE CITY DOES NOT KEEP CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE ON FILE. Licensed contractors and all sub-contractors must also have a current Contractors Business License with the City of Larkspur.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Application Permit Fees
Plan check fees paid upon submittal of application. Balance of fees paid upon issuance of permit.

Drawing Sets Required
3 sets
Each sheet sealed and wet signed

Engineering Calculation, 2 sets, wet signed
California Energy Code 2005, 2 sets, wet signed
Calculation Sets, 2 sets, wet signed

Format Requirements
Sheet size: standard. Large sets rolled, small sets folded.
Drawing scale: ¼"= 1'-0 minimum. Site plan: 1'-0 = 20' minimum.

Other departments reviewing documents
Planning, Public Works, Fire Dept., Police Dept.

Soils Reports Required
New construction/major additions and at the discretion of the Building Official.

Fire Sprinkler System Required

• New commercial construction.
• New residential construction where any portion of an exterior wall of the building is located more than 150 feet from the access road.
• New construction with no street frontage and that is only accessible by stairway or hillside paths.

Local ordinances and amendments to codes that affect construction.

• Class "A" roof covering required for new construction and re-roofs. Chimney spark arresters are required on new and existing structures.
• New construction utilities shall be placed underground.
• Projects not scheduled for completion prior to October 15th of any year must provide an engineered interim drainage and erosion control plan for City approval.
• Commercial occupancies with occupant load of 10 or more require exit lighting at all exits and exit passage ways. Power to lamps shall be from storage batteries or onsite generator.
• Heritage tree ordinance: Removal of trees with a 50 inch circumference or greater, measured at 2 feet above grade requires permits.
• No grading or excavation on weekends or holidays.

Notes: Most work checked in-house. Typical plan check turn-around time: 1-2 weeks. Some projects referred to outside consultants at the discretion of the Building Official. Applications are processed in the order received.

Work Exempt from Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the footprint area does not exceed 120 square feet. Contact the planning department for setback requirements and other restrictions.
• Fences not over 6 feet high. Contact the planning department for fence height restrictions.
• Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high.
• Painting, papering and similar finish work.

School Districts within this jurisdiction
Larkspur School District (415)-927-6960
Kentfield School District (415)-925-2230
Tamalpais Union High School District (Redwood High School) (415)-945-3737

Current code editions
2007 California Building Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Electrical Code and Energy Code.