Get a Permit

Overview

Get a Permit

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Use the menu to the left or scroll down to view all required permits. If you 're looking for a Business License, go here. Scroll down for the Home Business Permit.


Building Permit Exemptions

All construction activity, from initial grading of a site to interior improvements, alterations and most repairs requires a building permit unless the work is specifically exempted by the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II and Title 15 of the Rocklin Municipal Code. However, a building permit may not be required for the following projects:

Use the menu to the left or scroll down to view all required permits. If you ‘re looking for a Business License, go here. Scroll down for the Home Business Permit.


Building Permit Exemptions

All construction activity, from initial grading of a site to interior improvements, alterations and most repairs requires a building permit unless the work is specifically exempted by the California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II and Title 15 of the Rocklin Municipal Code. However, a building permit may not be required for the following projects:

  • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses  when located on a parcel which contains an existing single family dwelling or other permitted primary use or structure, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet. Note: Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work in connection with such structures requires an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit even though a building permit is not required for the structure itself.
  • Children’s Play Structures: Tree houses (less than 120 square feet of floor area), skateboard ramps and children’s play structures (i.e. jungle gyms) when constructed on a parcel which contains a single family dwelling and not used for commercial purposes.
  • Fences not over 7 feet high
  • Oil derricks
  • Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
  • Retaining walls which retain not more than 3 feet of earth unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquid.

For the purpose of this section, a retaining wall is considered to be supporting a surcharge if: The wall retains more than one foot of material and the retained material slopes more than two units horizontal to one vertical within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade. a. The wall retains more than one foot of material and any road or structure is located on the retaining material within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade. b. The wall retains more than one foot of material and any road or structure is located on the retaining material within a distance equal to twice the height of the wall above the lowest existing grade.

  • Movable/Temporary Items:

a. Movable cases and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high (for commercial occupancies) and temporary motion picture, television and theater stage, seats and scenery.

b. Membrane structures (i.e. tents and awnings) erected for less than 180 days in any twelve month period.

  • Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route. (This type of work may however require an encroachment permit from Public Services. Please contact them at 916.625.5500 for further details.)
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work, except that restriping of commercial parking lot requires a building permit.
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that does not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and does not require additional support, Group R-3 (single family residential) and U (private garage or utility buildings) occupancies
  • Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 (single family residential) occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground
  • Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one-and two-family dwellings
  • Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve exit doors required by code
  • Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery
  • Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.

Electrical:

  • Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
  • Electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions.
  • Installation of temporary systems required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
  • Listed cord and plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
  • Reinstallation or replacement of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets.
  • Repair or replacement of branch circuits or overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
  • Installation or maintenance of communications wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment.

Gas:

  • Portable heating appliances and the replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical:

  • Portable heating appliances, portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling units, and portable evaporative coolers.
  • Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
  • The replacement of any part that does not alter the equipment’s approval or make it unsafe.

Plumbing:

  • The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent piping. However, if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, a permit shall be obtained and inspections made.
  • The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

*Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items.  Exemption from the permit requirements of the code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

Overview

Alcoholic Beverage Permit

The Rocklin Police Records Unit and other City of Rocklin departments issue permits and licenses for a variety of special uses, functions, and events. Some licenses and permits are also issued by local county and state offices.

Office Hours
Monday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays
Phone (916) 625-5405

Overview

Blasting

The Rocklin Police Records Unit and other City of Rocklin departments issue permits and licenses for a variety of special uses, functions, and events. Some licenses and permits are also issued by local county and state offices.

Office Hours
Monday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays
Phone: (916) 625-5405

Requirement for using high explosives in the City of Rocklin (requires proof of public liability insurance)

Fee: $92.00

Overview

Online Residential Building Permit Guide

Click here to get started

This guide is designed to provide you with a general outline of what is required for you to get a permit for your project. You will find more information about what you need to do each step of the way. 

Please note at this time, the guide includes many of our most common residential building permit submittal types. Over time, staff will be adding additional residential permit types.

Please contact the Permit Center at 916-625-5120 or email building@rocklin.ca.us with any questions.

Overview

Universal Application

What permits use the Universal Application Form?

The majority of permits & entitlements require the Universal Application Form including:

•  Design Review 
•  General Plan Development 
•  Tentative Parcel Map 
•  Tentative Subdivision Map 
•  Use Permit 
•  Variance 
•  Zoning

Overview

Encroachment Permit

EFFECTIVE 12/1/2019 PERMIT FEES HAVE INCREASED. Please review the Encroachment Permit requirements list for the fee schedule

An encroachment permit is necessary when anyone (including utility companies, residents and contractors) works in the city right-of-way, city-owned land, and/or within a city easement. 

Overview

HOME BUSINESS PERMIT

Home business permits are required for all businesses that are proposed to be located in a home, including apartments. A permit is required even if the majority of the work is done away from the home, so long as the address, legal location, and physical location of the business is your residence.

To obtain a Home Business Permit to operate a business in a residentially zoned area, follow these steps:

Overview

Massage Permit

The Rocklin Police Records Unit and other City of Rocklin departments issue permits and licenses for a variety of special uses, functions, and events. Some licenses and permits are also issued by local county and state offices.

Office Hours
Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays
Phone: (916) 625-5405

Requirement for operating a massage establishment or independent massage technician

Overview

Residential Parking Permits

The following streets are required to have Residential Parking Permits.

  • Wildflower Ln
  • Nesting Pl
  • Lagoon Ct
  • Blossom Ct
  • Corona Cir
  • Rockmoor Dr
  • Havenhurst Cir
  • Foxboro Ct
  • Brittany Ct
  • Birchwood Ct
  • Abilene Cir

The Residential Parking Permit Application Form (below) can be downloaded, filled out, printed, faxed, or delivered to:

Rocklin Police Department
Attn: Parking Permits
4080 Rocklin Rd.
Rocklin, CA 95677 
Fax: 916-625-5495

Lobby Hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday

Alternatively, you can mail the form to the address above. You can also email the form to wendy.smith@rocklin.ca.us, but be aware that email can be an insecure way to transmit sensitive information.

If you have any questions about this you may contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Wendy Smith at 916-625-5440 or wendy.smith@rocklin.ca.us

Parking Permit Application (fillable PDF)

By order of City Council Resolutions 2010-151 and 2015-187:

Overview

Peddler / Solicitor / Vendor Permit

The Rocklin Police Records Unit and other City of Rocklin departments issue permits and licenses for a variety of special uses, functions, and events. Some licenses and permits are also issued by local county and state offices.

Office Hours
Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays
Phone: (916) 625-5405

Requirement for going residence-to-residence in the City of Rocklin for sales, donations, pledges, etc.

Overview

Secondhand Dealer or Pawn Broker License

Secondhand dealer and pawnbroker licensing permits are required and issued by the State of California, Department of Justice.

Fingerprinting is required for all new applications and is offered by the Rocklin Police Dept. Payment of the Dept. of Justice fee is due the same day as the application submittal. Once payment has been received by the DOJ, the application will be reviewed.

Rocklin Police Dept. Office Hours
Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays.
Phone: (916) 625-5405

Fee
$300
Dept. of Justice License Fee
$20 Fingerprint Fee

Overview

Short-term Rental Permit

The City of Rocklin requires a permit for property owners to offer short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb, VRBO and others. The guidelines offer owners flexibility while encouraging harmony with the surrounding neighborhood. Fill out the free short-term rental form below to start renting responsibly in your neighborhood.

Overview

Sidewalk Vending Permit

Effective January 1, 2019, the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Senate Bill 946) is a state law that allows counties and cities to adopt non-criminal laws to protect public health, safety and welfare with regard to how, when and where sidewalk vendors can operate. On September 26, 202, the Rocklin City Council adopted Ordinance No.

Overview

SIGN PERMIT

Sign Ordinance and Sign Design Guidelines

The Rocklin City Council approved an update of the Rocklin Sign Ordinance Chapter 17.75 Signs on Private Property on January 28, 2014. The updated Sign Ordinance is now in effect. Businesses are required to comply with the City of Rocklin’s Sign Ordinance as well as the citywide Design Review Guidelines. Follow the above links to these documents for more information.

Overview

Special Event Permit

Special Events are defined as events that impact surrounding properties and right-of-ways. The impacts may be classified as minimal, requiring only administrative approval, or substantial, requiring City Council approval.

Examples of minimal impact events

  • Christmas Tree sales
  • Parking Lot sales
  • Pumpkin sales

Examples of substantial impact events

Overview

Weed Control & Grazing

What Is Weed Control/Abatement?

In the City of Rocklin, all vacant parcels shall be abated (weeds cut down, trash removed, and/or firebreaks created to limit any potential fire hazard and allow access for fire fighting operations) on a year-round basis per the City’s Standards for Maintenance of Vacant Parcels. In April of each year, the owners of vacant parcels are notified, by letter, of their responsibility to abate their property. In May, a second reminder letter is sent via certified mail.