Building Permit Application Requirements for New Construction

The City of Berkeley wants to help you as you prepare to complete a submittal application. A checklist and examples will be provided for different types of new building construction that include—Accessory Dwelling Units, Single Family Dwellings, Duplexes, Mixed-Use Developments, and Townhomes.

To make the building permit application process easier for you, a new California State Law (AB-2234) requires the City to provide you with clear instructions on the types of documents required for different types of new building projects in Berkeley.

This includes providing you with examples of submittal requirements to help you move through this process for the following building types:

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Single Family Dwellings (SFD)
• Multifamily Buildings
• Mixed-Use Buildings (residential plus commercial)
• Townhomes*

*No examples of townhome permit applications are provided because none have been constructed in Berkeley in recent years.

For each of these building types, you need to submit a range of documents as part of your permit application. These typically include construction plans, forms, and supporting materials. Submittal requirements will vary based on the type of building for which you’re applying for a permit.

A detailed application submittal checklist is available to help you through the process. This checklist outlines the forms and other materials needed for each of the five building types listed above. It will help you to prepare a complete submittal package from the start, helping to avoid delays.

Applications missing required components will be marked as incomplete, and applicants will receive a list of corrections to address before the formal multi-agency review process can begin.

Examples of complete building permit application sets are available for each type of building, excluding plan sets (which are copyrighted). Learn more about the City’s permit process or you can email buildingandsafety@berkeleyca.gov with questions.