How Demolition Permits Work in Sacramento: A Practical Overview

Owning a building in Sacramento does not mean you can simply take it down. A demolition permit is one piece of a chain that also includes hazardous-material surveys, utility shut-offs and, for some properties, additional review. This overview gives you the general shape of the process so you can plan. Forms, fees and rules change, so confirm the current requirements with the permitting agency before committing to dates.

Which agency issues the permit

Inside the City of Sacramento, building permits, including demolition permits, are handled through the Community Development Department. Many people who say they live in Sacramento actually live in a neighboring city such as Elk Grove, or in unincorporated Sacramento County, and those jurisdictions run their own permit offices. Start by confirming which one governs your parcel.

A typical order of operations

• Define the scope: Note the address, the building type and age, and whether you are removing the whole structure, a portion or just the interior. Different scopes can follow different permit paths.
• Ask about extra review: Older buildings, and buildings in or near historic districts, may face additional review. The central city has several historic districts, so ask early.
• Order the asbestos survey: A survey for asbestos-containing materials is generally expected before demolition, along with notification to the air district where it applies. See our article on SMAQMD Rule 902.
• Arrange utility disconnects: Electric, gas, water and sewer service is typically shut off and capped through the providers, such as SMUD for electricity and PG&E for natural gas, before the structure comes down.
• Submit the application: You or your contractor file the application and supporting documents. Requirements can include site information, proof of disconnects and survey documentation.
• Schedule the work and inspections: After issuance, demolition proceeds under the conditions of the permit, and inspections may be required at certain stages.

How long does it take?

There is no single answer. Review time depends on the project, how complete the application is and whether special review applies. In practice the permit, survey and utility steps often take longer than the physical demolition, which for a typical house can be a matter of days. Be wary of any contractor who promises a start date before the paperwork is in place.

Common causes of delay

• Utility disconnects not yet confirmed by the providers.
• Missing or incomplete asbestos survey documentation.
• Unanswered questions about historic or older-structure review.
• Heritage or street trees near the work area that require protection measures.

What a contractor should handle

A good contractor tells you which steps your project needs, coordinates the survey and disconnects and keeps your paperwork organized. Ask which tasks are theirs and which belong to you or your builder, and get the answer in writing.

Planning a demolition in the Sacramento area? Call Sacramento Demolition Co at (714) 333-0178 and we will walk through the steps for your address.