Does the county review permits in the City of Napa?

No. The City of Napa and the county's other cities and towns review their own. The county reviews unincorporated areas.

Can I submit plans in person?

The county takes building permit applications through its Online Permit Center. We prepare and upload the package.

Can an ADU built without permits be legalized?

Often, if it was built before January 1, 2020. State law gives those units a legalization path. We review the unit and prepare the drawings to bring it into the record.

My parcel has a well and septic system. What changes?

Environmental Health reviews them as part of the building permit. We start that review early so it does not hold up the rest of the permit.

Locations

Permits in Napa County.

Permit-ready plans and permit coordination for homes, ADUs, additions, and manufactured homes in unincorporated Napa County, including well and septic review.

Start a Napa County project Book a call

Napa County's Planning, Building and Environmental Services department reviews permits for unincorporated areas. American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, and Yountville run their own building departments.

What we handle here

Confirm the reviewing agency from the parcel.
Prepare the construction document set and the Online Permit Center application.
Coordinate Environmental Health review for wells and septic systems.
Prepare plans to legalize an unpermitted ADU when it qualifies.
Answer plan check comments and track the permit through issuance.

Applications go through the Online Permit Center

Since January 1, 2024, the county has taken building permit applications only through its Online Permit Center. Well and septic applications go through the same system. We prepare and submit the package and follow the review through each division.

Wells and septic systems

Many rural parcels are not on public sewer. The county's Environmental Health division reviews wells and septic systems, including their part of the building permit plans. The county advises starting that review early, because it can hold up building permit approval. We coordinate it from the start.

Legalizing an existing ADU

State law (AB 2533, effective January 1, 2025) gives owners a path to legalize an unpermitted ADU or junior ADU built before January 1, 2020. Napa County also runs an ADU Delayed Enforcement Program for existing units.

We document the existing unit, prepare the drawings, and coordinate the review. See unpermitted work.

Fire hazard zones

The state maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New buildings in a High or Very High zone may need to meet the wildfire construction standards in Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. That affects roofing, siding, vents, windows, and decks, so we check the zone before drawings start.

Common questions

Does the county review permits in the City of Napa?: No. The City of Napa and the county's other cities and towns review their own. The county reviews unincorporated areas.
Can I submit plans in person?: The county takes building permit applications through its Online Permit Center. We prepare and upload the package.
Can an ADU built without permits be legalized?: Often, if it was built before January 1, 2020. State law gives those units a legalization path. We review the unit and prepare the drawings to bring it into the record.
My parcel has a well and septic system. What changes?: Environmental Health reviews them as part of the building permit. We start that review early so it does not hold up the rest of the permit.

Start a project

Building in Napa County? Send the address.

Drawings, permit coordination, or both. One team, then a dashboard through issuance.

Start a project Book a call

Or call (916) 607-9935