OVERVIEW
The Building Division administers State, County and City building codes and ordinances to ensure buildings are safe for occupancy. This is accomplished through the permitting, plan review and inspection process.
Our main objective is to assist you in understanding and navigating the building permit process in order to obtain your permit in an effective and efficient manner.
Every three years the State of California adopts new and/or updated model codes which is then adopted by the City.
Permits are the way the City of Lakeport regulates construction. This is designed to ensure that all construction in the city is safe. The safety of the occupants of buildings is the primary reason for having construction codes.
A building permit provides you formal permission to begin construction of a building project in accordance with the approved permit documents (i.e. drawings, calculations, specifications). We provide over-the-counter and regular building plan check services as part of the building permit process for properties located within the incorporated City of Lakeport. The Building Division does not have jurisdiction for public schools, hospitals, or for tenant spaces within mobile home parks. Permits are required for retrofit manufactured home foundations and structures separate from the manufactured home on private land.
There are federal, state and local laws that govern construction, alteration, enlargement, conversion, reconstruction, remodeling, rehabilitation, erection, demolition, moving or repair of a building such as those covering energy conservation and disabled access. Once plans are approved, you’re required to build the project to those plans. If any changes are made to the plans, they must be made with the City’s approval.
Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied, or make costly repairs.
A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met––as demonstrated by a code official’s carefully maintained records––has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.