County of Sonoma
Permit Sonoma › Divisions › Engineering & Construction › Building › Building and Construction Permits › Over the Counter Permits
Building Division

Over-the-Counter Permits

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Purpose

The purpose of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Permit Program is to provide a fast, efficient permitting pathway for qualifying residential building projects that are limited in scope and do not require a full plan check review. OTC permits are intended for routine repairs, replacements, and non-structural improvements that meet established eligibility criteria and can be safely reviewed and issued quickly, often through Permit Sonoma’s online permitting system. By allowing eligible projects to be auto-issued or reviewed with minimal documentation, the OTC program reduces processing time, improves predictability for applicants, and supports timely project delivery while ensuring compliance with applicable building, zoning, and safety requirements.

Requirements and Types

General Application Requirements

Some projects may be auto-issued online with no additional requirements. Depending on the scope and location of the project, the following may be required:
  1. Site plan
  2. Floor plan
  3. Existing and proposed floor plans
  4. Construction plans, checklists, or specifications
  5. Site review
  6. Additional justification, as outlined on the Permit Sonoma website

Eligible Over-the-Counter Residential Permit Types

  • Dry rot repair (up to 40 linear feet) - Requirement #1
  • Electrical service upgrades under 400 amps and/or addition of a subpanel - Requirement #1
  • Electric vehicle charging stations (ESS) - Requirement #1
  • Electrical work such as rewiring or installation of recessed (can) lighting - Requirement #1
  • Furnace or air conditioning replacement - Requirement #1
  • Water heater replacement or installation - Requirement #1
  • Re-roofing (Class A assemblies required) - Requirements #1 & #4
  • Siding replacement - Requirements #1 & #8
  • Deck repair (in kind) - Requirements #2 & #8
  • Nonstructural kitchen remodel - Requirement #3
  • Nonstructural bathroom remodel - Requirements #2 & #8
  • Roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 10 kW - Requirement #5
  • Solar battery installation - Requirements #3 & #5
  • Generator installation - Requirements #2 & #5
  • Bedroom decommissioning - Requirements #2 & #4
  • Demolition - Requirements #2 & #8
  • Plan Set “A” seismic upgrades for one- or two-story structures (state forms may be used) - Requirements #2 & #5
Projects that include changes to the exterior of a structure—such as reroofing, siding, deck repair, or demolition—may require additional approvals. Properties located within a Historic Combining District may require design review through Planning. Properties in the Coastal Zone may require a coastal permit. Properties subject to a homeowners’ association may require an HOA approval letter.
 

Additional Information

  • All applications subject to an active code enforcement case require code enforcement approval.
  • Construction or demolition within a Riparian Corridor Combining District may require a zoning permit through Planning.