Permit Center
ABOUT THE PERMIT CENTER
The City of Salinas Permit Center assists businesses, developers, and other permit applicants obtain permits and approvals. Permit Center staff support customers through the permitting process, complying with laws and regulations.
The Permit Center provides:
- A public information counter where applicants can meet with staff to determine what forms and information are required to complete their permit application
- A centralized location to obtain forms for all necessary permits
- Other application materials, publications, brochures, and guidelines to explain the development-review process
- Payment processing services, including fees for business licensing, re-inspection, code enforcement, vendor, and permits (garage sale, home occupation, ect.)
- For those services not available at the Permit Center, referrals or contact information may be provided to other state, regional, and local agencies for assistance.
APPOINTMENTS
Schedule your appointment from your mobile device or computer using the Permit Center’s online appointment system.
- CLICK HERE to access QLESS.
- Enter your name and cell phone number.
- Share the reason for your visit with a few quick clicks.
- Select your appointment date and time and enter your email.
You will receive a text message with your appointment confirmation. Need help? Just stop by the welcome desk at the Permit Center for assistance scheduling your appointment.
Paperless Permits- Electronic Submittal
Our new Paperless Permit system allows for an easier and faster way to apply for building permits. Apply anytime, as our Paperless Permit system is available 24/7.
Click Here => Paperless Permit Portal
How to Video:
How to Create a Paperless Permit Account
Vídeo Instructivo:
Como Crear una Cuenta de Usuario
Permitting and Covid-19
In order to serve the Salinas community during the Covid-19 pandemic, staff will begin processing applications electronically. The process allows for electronic submittals to all Divisions within the Department. This is inclusive of new applications or resubmittals of Building Permits, Planning Entitlements, Code Enforcement Cases, Fire Permits and Engineering Permits. For more information on how to submit electronically, call 831-758-7251 or [email protected].
Staff is also able to issue and inspect all construction related permits. Construction shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the Construction Safety Protocol listed in Appendix B of the Monterey County Health Order.
eTRAKiT
This allows you to check the status of your permit, schedule inspections or download attachments from your current projects.
For access to eTRAKiT, contact [email protected] for username and login privileges
Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITIONS (C&D) DEBRIS RECYCLING
C&D materials are heavy, not easily compacted, and take up space in the landfill. That’s why it’s important to separate and recycle or divert these materials from the landfill. Keeping different types of building materials separated will result in significantly lower fees and charges and save some money on your next project.
Salinas Municipal Code 9-4.1 requires all Construction and Demolition (C&D) projects within the City to divert at least 65% of the C&D debris and 100% of inert materials generated by the project. In addition, all building and demolition permit applicants must prepare and submit a C&D Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan at the time of the permit application (prior to permit issuance), and a final C&D Waste Reduction and Recycling Report. Failure to file recycling reports with the City may result in non-compliance fees and/or delay issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection.
Options for the disposal/recycling of C&D debris include:
- Contracting with the exclusive franchisee for disposal/recycling services,
- If you need to set up service, call Republic Services of Salinas (Republic) at (831) 751-5443.
- Identify that your project is a C&D project and keep all applicable invoices from Republic.
- Divert more by requesting separate bins to source separate C&D debris on-site (cost savings may apply).
- Self-hauling C&D debris from the project directly to a bonafide processing facility using the applicants / contractor’s equipment and vehicles (if source separated, cost savings may apply).
- Salinas Valley Recycles’ facilities accept C&D debris. Current rates can be found here. Visit Salinas Valley Recycles for a current listing of acceptable materials. Download a C&D Flyer or for additional information and helpful videos visit CalRecycle C&D website.
- If you need assistance with what material types are recyclable and how to separate them for recycling, please call Salinas Valley Recycles at (831) 775-3018.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Complete, sign and submit the C& D Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan to the Permit Center along with your Building Permit Application.
- If you plan to self-haul your C&D debris, use the list of bonafide processors to locate facilities that will recycle your materials. Inform the recycling facilities that the material is generated in the City of Salinas so origin codes on the weight tickets can be recorded correctly. Always ask the recycling facility for all of your weight tickets and receipts.
- Once your project is complete, you must submit the C&D Waste Reduction and Recycling Report to the Permit Center. Make sure to include all weight tickets and receipts for all of your recycled and disposed materials.
- Your final Waste Reduction and Recycling Report should include the following information:
- Identify the types and quantities (tons) of materials recycled, reused, salvaged and/or disposed,
- Identify how the materials were handled: "source separated" or "mixed",
- Identify the method of transport for debris materials (self-haul, franchise hauler),
- Identify where the materials were taken for recycling or disposal, with all invoices, weight tags and receipts.
- Submit the completed report to:
City of Salinas – Permit Services
65 West Alisal St., 1st Floor
Salinas, California 93901
Fax: (831) 758-7251
Email: [email protected]
Permit Fees
The Community Development Department collects development fees for all construction requiring a permit. Fees collected include permit fees, impact fees, development fees and entitlement fees.
In addition to City fees, certain projects may trigger fees charged by groups outside of the cities jurisdiction. Staff recommends applicants contact the following groups as soon as the scope of work is determined.
For more information visit the Development Impact Fees page here.
Monthly Reports - 2023
Reports providing details of Permits Applied, Permits Issued, Permits by Type and Permits Finaled for the months of 2023.
Monthly Reports - 2022
Reports providing details of Permits Applied, Permits Issued, Permits by Type and Permits Finaled for the months of 2022.
Monthly Reports - 2021
Reports providing details of Permits Applied, Permits Issued, Permits by Type and Permits Finaled for the months of 2021.
Monthly Reports - 2020
Reports providing details of Permits Applied, Permits Issued, Permits by Type and Permits Finaled for the months of 2020.
What's Happening for Permit Center
Permit Center Fumigation Closure - May 26-30, 2023

- For emergency repairs, residents should proceed with the repair and obtain the permit on Wednesday May 31, 2023.
- For all other processes, residents are encouraged to continue to use the City's online Permitting Portal .
Current Building and Fire Codes
Effective January 1, 2023 the applicable design standards will become the 2022 Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. There are some local modifications to Part 9 (Fire) and Part 11 (Cal Green). Be sure to check Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code for specifics.
Want to have a temporary event on a commercial property?

A Temporary Use of Land Permit (TULP) is required for temporary activities, events, or signs, which occur on occasion but are not intended to become permanent. These types of temporary uses include, but are not limited to the following:
- Circuses and Carnivals,
- Farmer’s Markets,
- Outdoor Retail Sales, and
- Trade Fairs
Some keynotes to know about TULP’s:
- Zoning codes limits the use of TULPs based on sites
- TULP’s are usually only for 3 – 5 continuous days once ...
Permit Center Limitation on In-Person Services

In-person services at the City of Salinas Permit Center and Finance transaction counter at the Permit Center will be limited from Tuesday, January 18th through Friday, January 28th due to the increase of cases in Monterey and to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Virtual and over the phone services will continue with delays due to staffing levels.
Permit Center
(831) 758-7251
Finance at the Permit Center
(831) 758-7211
Business Licenses - [email protected]
Garage Sale Permits - [email protected]...
Welcome to the Permit Center, Cristina and Cristopher!

There are two new faces to welcome the public to the City of Salinas Permit Center, Cristina Sifuentes and Cristopher Santos. When not at the welcome desk, Cristina and Cristopher are working hard behind the scenes to support the City's Permit Services Division.
Cristina is originally from the Central Valley, now living in Salinas. She is a recent CSUMB alumna with a major in Collaborative Health and Human Services. Cristina enjoys working with people and looks forward to serving our community in any way that she can.
Salinas is Cristopher's...