City of Walnut Creek
Development Review Services
1666 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 943-5834 phone (925) 256-3500 fax
Issued June 24, 2009
Revised June 24, 2015
Policy Bulletin No. PB-030
Work Not Requiring a Permit
Warning: Exemption from the permit requirements of the Municipal code does not grant authority for
any of the work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of said code, City ordinances, or
state or federal laws. Please check with the planning, engineering, building, and transportation
department/divisions for any potential code violations prior to starting any work not requiring a building
permit. In some cases a Use Permit from the planning division may be necessary.
Municipal-Code-Adopted Exemptions:
1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar
uses, provided the floor area (measured outside to outside of walls) does not exceed 120 square
feet. The location and construction of the accessory building must meet the zoning and building
code requirements for setbacks and fire-resistive construction. Separate plumbing, electrical and
mechanical permits will be required for any plumbing, electrical or mechanical work to be
included in the accessory building.
2. Fences not over 6 feet high: and fences of wood, or other material, weighing less than 10 pounds
per square foot, not over 8 feet high. Contact the planning division for specific approval. A Use
Permit will be required for fences exceeding 6 feet in height.
3. Movable cases, movable counters and movable partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high.
4. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to
the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge. A surcharge is considered: sloping ground
behind the wall, (the ground is not level behind the wall); walls supporting a structure or a fence;
or walls providing support for adjacent properties or parcels. Retaining walls retaining more than
3 feet of soil will require a permit.
5. Decks, platforms, walks and driveways not more than 18 inches above grade and not over any
basement or story below.
6. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a residence (Group R-3) or garage (Group M)
when projecting not more than 54 inches.
7. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a R-3 occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely
above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.
8. Open, unenclosed, lattice covered patio structures, not more than 10 feet high above grade,
accessory to a R-3 occupancy or to an individual dwelling unit in a R-2 occupancy, provided the
lattice cover is at least 50 percent open and is not located within a required yard nor closer than 3
feet to any property line.
9. Painting, papering and similar finish work.
Policy Bulletin No. PB-030.r4
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City-Policy-Adopted Exemptions:
1. Irrigation sprinkler systems on the sprinkler side of the back-flow prevention devices.
2. Installation of Tubular Skylights that do not require framing changes and the tube is installed
directly between the rafters and joists, from roof sheathing and the ceiling. All tubular skylights
must be listed to conform to the current building code edition. If less than 16 square feet of new
skylight area is added, the maximum U-factor shall be 0.55 and the maximum SHGC shall be
0.30. If adding more than 16 feet of new skylight area, see 2013 California Energy Code §
150.1(c) 3A for additional requirements. Tubular skylights are subject to a building permit if
cutting rafters or joists or installed in a building of one-hour construction. A fire-rated shaft
must be built to maintain the fire-resistive construction through the attic.
3. Applying vinyl siding over existing siding. If the existing siding is removed first, a building
permit will be required. (Owner must first check with the planning division to make sure vinyl
siding can be used on the specific building. Prior design review findings or CC&Rs may not
allow vinyl siding to be used.)
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