Guide
East Bay remodel permit guide by town
Thirteen towns, thirteen sets of rules. This guide shows which office handles remodel permits in each and what that office says, with a link to its own page.
How to use this guide
Most remodel work needs a permit, and the office that issues it depends on where you live. Below is what each building office published when we checked on 2026-10-19, in our own words. Where an office did not state something, we leave it out rather than guess. Alamo and Discovery Bay are unincorporated, so Contra Costa County handles them. Always confirm with the office before work starts.
At a glance
| Town | Office | Town page |
|---|---|---|
| Brentwood | Development Services Division | Brentwood |
| Oakley | Building Division | Oakley |
| Antioch | Building Division | Antioch |
| Concord | Building Division | Concord |
| Pleasant Hill | Building Division | Pleasant Hill |
| Walnut Creek | Community Development, Permits | Walnut Creek |
| Alamo (unincorporated) | Contra Costa County DCD | Alamo |
| Danville | Permit Center, Building Division | Danville |
| San Ramon | Building and Safety Services | San Ramon |
| Pleasanton | Building and Safety Division | Pleasanton |
| Livermore | Building Division | Livermore |
| Tracy | Building Safety Division | Tracy |
| Discovery Bay (unincorporated) | Contra Costa County DCD | Discovery Bay |
East Contra Costa: Brentwood, Oakley and Antioch
Brentwood
The Development Services Division says building permits are required for almost all construction, including plumbing, electrical and structural work. Its handout lists exceptions such as finishes (paint, flooring, carpet, tile), though tile inside a tub or shower enclosure needs a permit. The handout dates from 2017, so confirm items with the city. Applications are electronic. See our Brentwood page.
Oakley
The Building Division says most construction projects need a permit and lists exempt work, including painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops without fixtures. Its FAQ says permits that do not require plans can be obtained the day you apply, and describes re-roofs, water heaters and electrical service upgrades as typical examples. Do not assume a water heater swap is permit-free. See Oakley.
Antioch
The Building Division publishes an exemption list for small accessory structures, low retaining walls, concrete flatwork, sprinklers and fence replacement. It does not say whether kitchen or bath work, windows or roofing need a permit, so call. Some permit types are applied for online and others by emailing forms. See Antioch.
Central County: Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek
Concord
The Building Division and its Permit Center issue Information Bulletin IB-022, which lists kitchen and bathroom remodels, shower and tub enclosures, re-roofs, windows, water heaters and skylights as requiring a permit. The bulletin is dated 2018 and says it is not a complete list. See Concord.
Pleasant Hill
The Building Division's Permits page offers kitchen and bathroom remodel handouts. Its FAQ says cabinets, countertops and backsplash need no permit but electrical work does, and retrofit windows need none. Applications go through the PHill Online Service Center. See Pleasant Hill.
Walnut Creek
Community Development's building permits page lists kitchen and bathroom remodels, window replacement, water heaters, HVAC and re-roofing as needing permits. All applications are online. The city does not accept paper or emailed applications and does not issue permits over the counter. See Walnut Creek.
San Ramon Valley and the county: Alamo, Danville and San Ramon
Alamo
Alamo is unincorporated. The County Department of Conservation and Development handles it through its permit information page, which links a list of work not requiring a permit. Applications are online through the ePermits Center. See Alamo.
Danville
The Permit Center says a permit is required for most construction and repair, naming kitchen and bathroom remodels, water heaters, HVAC and decks. It publishes no list of exempt work. Applications are taken in person or through its portal. See Danville.
San Ramon
Building and Safety Services lists home improvements that need no permit, including painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops. Handouts cover kitchen, bathroom and window alterations. Applications use the online portal. See San Ramon.
Tri-Valley and San Joaquin: Pleasanton, Livermore and Tracy
Pleasanton
The Building and Safety Division exempts window and door replacements that do not alter dimensions, opening style, framing or weather barrier. An appointment-based over-the-counter track covers limited projects, including kitchen and bathroom remodels with minimal structural work, if staff can review them in about half an hour. See Pleasanton.
Livermore
The Building Division says all permits are exclusively online and none are over the counter. Its published review time estimates put bathroom and kitchen remodels in a 7-day plan check tier and water heaters in a 5-day tier, excluding weekends and holidays. They are estimates. See Livermore.
Tracy
The Building Safety Division publishes a review time-frames handout with quick tiers, including like-for-like kitchen and bathroom remodels, and longer tiers for larger remodels. Check the handout for your project's tier. See Tracy.
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay is unincorporated and uses the same Contra Costa County office and permit information page as Alamo. See Discovery Bay, or our service areas overview.
East Bay permits: questions
Which East Bay towns are unincorporated?
Alamo and Discovery Bay. Building permits there go through the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development rather than a city.
Do all East Bay towns allow over-the-counter permits?
No. Livermore says permits are exclusively online, Walnut Creek does not issue permits over the counter, and Pleasanton offers an appointment-based over-the-counter track for limited projects. Others publish nothing on it.
Where do I apply for a permit in Brentwood?
Through the Development Services Division, which accepts building permit applications electronically through its Electronic Submittal Portal.
Is this guide the final word on what needs a permit?
No. It summarizes what each office published when we checked. Handouts change and some are dated, so confirm with your building office before work begins.
Who handles the permit paperwork on our projects?
We agree on that in the written contract, which should say who pulls permits. Ask us when you request a free estimate.
Not sure what your project needs?
Call or send the form. We will point you to the right office.