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  • Construction & Development
  • Permits & Design Parameters
  • Permit Process
  • Licensed Contractors and Design Professionals
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Licensed Contractors and Design Professionals

Make sure to hire contractors and design professionals with the proper license from the State of California. Contractors will also need a Berkeley Business License.

Depending on your project, you may need to work with a contractor, engineer, and/or architect.

For most construction projects, you will work with a licensed contractor. For projects in Berkeley, you must work with a contractor licensed in California with a valid Berkeley Business License. The California Contractor’s State License Board has advice on hiring a contractor.

If your project involves disturbing lead-based paint, you will need to hire a lead-safe certified contractor. Your building is likely to have lead-based paint if it was built before 1978. The EPA has a database of lead-safe certified firms.

If your project is more than two stories and a basement in height, is of any type other than conventional wood-frame construction, or exceeds four dwelling units on a property, you will need a California-licensed architect or engineer.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)  has a directory of East Bay architects or of San Francisco architects. Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) has a directory of local engineers. Consult the California Department of Consumer Affairs to verify that your firm has the appropriate license from the Architects Board or Professional Engineers Board.

In this section
Permit Process
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  • Estimate Permit Fees
  • Plan Check
  • Fire Department Plan Review
  • Building Inspections
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  • Permits Online
  • Licensed Contractors
  • Filing an Appeal
  • Condominium Conversion
  • Residential Additions and Accessory Dwelling Units
Permit Service Center
Email: permits@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-7500

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