Services
Building & Engineering Frequently Asked Questions
Each construction project is unique and presents a different combination of requirements and reviews.
The role of the Building and Engineering Department is to identify which city departments need to review the project and ensure that all required approvals are obtained.
An application for a building permit could require the approval or the review from the following City departments:
- Building and Engineering Division: Issues permits that ensure the safe construction or improvements of buildings and related infrastructure, and verifies compliance with local and state laws.
- Fire: Reviews plan compliance with the California Fire Code, general fire life safety requirements, fire protection systems, and for compliance to any applicable Conditions of Approval.
- Planning: Reviews plans for the placement of new structures within property boundaries for zoning requirements such as building setbacks, density, building height, lot coverage, floor area ratios and ensures construction plans comply with all Conditions of Approval.
- Public Works: Reviews plans for the proposed public improvements, encroachments, connections to City services, and compliance to any applicable Conditions of Approval.
- Source Control: Reviews plans for commercial/industrial projects that might have potential pollution discharge. They regulate levels of contamination before they have a chance of entering the storm drains such as restaurants, automotive repair shops and construction sites.
Due to staff shortages, the City has reduced counter hours to Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. until further notice.
Your permit application and plan check status is available online. Please have your plan check number available to search for updates, which are updated every 24 hours.
California and Oxnard building codes have defined some construction work that do not require building permits. For a list of projects that are exempt from building permits, please visit the City’s Building & Construction Handouts page or reference the California Building Code CBRC 105.2 or CBC 105.2
An over-the-counter permit is issued for simpler projects such as re-roofing; window installation or replacements; wall or fence installations; electrical panel upgrades; house repiping; water main replacement; sewer line replacement; new or relocated water heaters; gas line replacement; and a new, relocated or replaced HVAC system.
You may obtain an over-the-counter permit for simple permit applications for these projects through the link below or by visiting the Service Center during operating hours.
Once a permit has been issued, you have 180 days to request an inspection. When your inspection has been approved, you are automatically granted 180 days.
Exceptions to this are Code Compliance permits. All Code Compliance permits expire 30 days from the date of issuance. Any request of extension will be processed by the Code Compliance Division. You may contact them at (805) 385-7940.
You may contact the Building and Engineering department to obtain a Building Permit Extension Request form. If the extension is not granted, you will need to submit a new set of plans to meet new code requirements (if applicable). A letter must be included in the new set of plans asking to close the old permit. A revision to the original plans does not restart the time frame.
Oxnard’s civil engineering forms may be accessed on the City’s “Permits” page or via the link below.
To change contractors, first you must secure a letter from the contractor stating they ARE RELIEVING themselves of the job, and they must note the point the construction was left at.
If a plan check is dormant for more than 180 days, the plan check can be expired by the City department.
You can request a copy of building permit or plan online, via fax at (805) 385-7854, or in person during regular counter hours.
Please allow up to 7-14 business days for processing. To submit online requests please select the “Building Records Research and Copy of Documents” link.
Resources
Plan Your Visit
View current wait times at the City’s Service Center.
Web Link
Building & Construction Handouts
Find forms and resources for your project.
Web Link
Civil Engineering Forms and Standard Plates
Standard Plates and Design Criteria.
Web Link
“Oxnard Permit Simplicity Act” Program (Measure F)
Expedited processing of certain city-issued development permits if projects meet specific requirements and project applications are filed by specified professionals who have received required training.
Web Link