Building Permits officially allow for the construction of a building, or changes to an existing building and are granted by the US government, or other regulatory bodies (in this case, the State of California).
The requirement is mandatory for almost all building projects, with the exception of smaller projects which do not impact the structural integrity of a building or affect its exterior. The permit also offers assurances of safety and protection during the project.
Building a home without a permit can double the fees involved and will detract from the value of the property; as such, obtaining a permit is highly advised before the commencement of any building project to ensure everything is legal and above board.
According to the California Building Standards Code: “no building or structure may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the building official.”