The Department of Planning and Building Permit Center is open by appointment only. A walk-in option is available for customers with questions on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Walk-ins are limited to 15 minutes each in order to accommodate as many people as possible. If you’d like to submit an application in person, please schedule an appointment by calling (805) 781-5600.
To submit electronic Building Permit or Land Use Permit Applications, please visit the Permitting page.
Director of Planning & Building
Public Information and Permit Processing Online Services
For Department News and Updates
Housing is Key
The Department of Planning & Building processes land use entitlements, including amendments to previously approved land use permits.
The applicant submits a completed application package.
1. Access the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal.
2. Select "Apply"
3. Select “Planning Applications”
4. Find the "Land Use Application"
5. Select "Apply"
6. Follow the online instructions.
7. Upload a complete application package, plans, and supporting documents.
Planning staff will email invoice. Please pay online here*.
*Make sure to add INV to the invoice number (e.g. INV2020-01234), when searching for the invoice online.
Department of Planning & Building staff reviews the application for consistency with applicable land use regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Staff schedules the application for a public hearing - either Planning Department Hearing, Subdivision Review Board, or Planning Commission based on the subdivision entitlement type.
During the public hearing, the hearing body considers the application and reaches a decision to either approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application.
Any aggrieved person can appeal a decision to the Board of Supervisors. Projects located within the Coastal Zone can be appealed to (or by) the California Coastal Commission.
The applicant must record the approved subdivision within two years of its approval date.
The applicant may request a time extension, in writing, to extend the approval date for one year. The maximum number of available time extensions is based on the subdivision entitlement type.
The owner of the subject property or anyone who is given consent by the owner of the subject property may use this service.
Please refer to the Department of Planning & Building Fee Schedule for application fees.
This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.