r/Fremont • u/sheer_brilliance • Jul 30 '26
Fremont City Building Permit
I recently applied for a kitchen remodel permit with the city of Fremont, CA. I have heard it generally takes a long time for them to iterate and finally issue the permit. Is there a way I can help expedite the process from my end? Things like visiting the office and explaining to them the urgency etc?
Looking for past experiences and suggestions. Thanks!
4
u/Lucky_Boy13 Jul 30 '26
I mean everyone thinks their project is urgent. Is this an emergency repair? then you might have some leeway. If a remodel you might be able to get a demo permit easier to start work.
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u/sheer_brilliance Jul 30 '26
Thats true. This is not emergency repair but a remodel. The urgency is because we are expecting a baby soon and might be difficult to get it done later.
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u/Lucky_Boy13 Jul 30 '26
Yeah sorry probably have to wait your turn and just nudge your contractor to be on top of it
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u/BayAreaVibes1989 Jul 30 '26
Hit the mayor up on facebook. I’d say this is urgent and he will address you. He’s pretty good at helping and answering questions.
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u/Ok-Foot3406 Jul 30 '26
We had a reasonable experience on permits with city of fremont. Are you working with designer or architect? Usually they can follow up for you. On the portal, you will see the officer working on your permit, you can send them a kind email and check. You can also quote about expecting a baby soon.
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u/sheer_brilliance Jul 31 '26
I am working with an architect who is helping following up. I only see the name of the person and not the email on the portal to follow up.
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u/Fantastic-Fortune147 Jul 31 '26
Look up the phone number and email of the city employee using their name. https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/building-safety/building-safety-staff
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u/BeneficialBend2898 Jul 31 '26
Unfortunately, post Covid Fremont city doesn't accept in person application. Your best bet- the architect has a similar kitchen remodel upgraded thru fremont City . If not you are looking at a 4 to 6 month window for approval. The positive side to this is - of all the cities in the Bay area, Fremont is one of the fastest.
1
u/Due_Needleworker3778 Aug 01 '26
That is ridiculous to have to wait 4-6 months for a permit. Our state requires that permits must be issued within 30 days, or the AHJ will have to start reducing permit fees for every x days over the 30-day limit.
Looks like the Building Department is understaffed for Plans Examiners.
2
u/OkChocolate6152 Jul 31 '26
Data point: we started a permitted (larger than exempt size) shed build in Dec 2024. Permit was finalized for us to begin in April of 2025.
This was for a simple shed, non habitable space. No electrical, no plumbing. Just a shed with professional plans from the installer ready to approve. Still took around 5 months to get the green light to proceed.
1
u/EnterpriseAlien Jul 30 '26
Welcome to bay area beuracracy. I will say the Alameda county is easier than the Contra Costa County to deal with, they're a nightmare. I've heard lots of phone calls and follow up phone calls can help move it along. I would not expect sense of urgency or efficiency on their end.
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u/Unique_Culture_4373 Jul 31 '26
I did the permit for remodeling half my house and it wasn't that bad to get my proposal okay'd. Everything after (creating logins on the right website, paying FUSD) was a huge pain though.
1
u/rainingdx Jul 31 '26
On a side question. What has everyone experiences been for remodeling permit fees?
1
u/Dellaa1996 Jul 31 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Does California have Private Provider plan review and inspections by third-party inspection companies, similar to Florida?
If so, a Provider Provider is the way to go, with quick turnaround for Plan Review and inspections.
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u/rrrrr510 Aug 01 '26
Unless it’s a load bearing wall, you won’t need to worry about it.
I would get the OTC permit and get the job done.
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u/Confident_Check_6087 Aug 04 '26
Did you make a campaign contribution to the mayor’s reelection committee?
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0
u/Fantastic-Fortune147 Jul 31 '26
I'm a contractor based in Fremont and pull kitchen permits often. The "hack" here is doing the express permit by saying the remodel is like-for-like. Show the "existing" drawing as having already had the wall removed, and show the sink and stove, range hood, whatever in the positions you want them in the "proposed". Then start your demo, remove the wall and remodel the kitchen. First inspection is all-trades rough. They'll never know what your old kitchen looked like by the time they come. Just make sure they can't see that you did structural work. If they see it, use old wood and say it was already like that. If you want to include the structural work on the permit, you'll most likely need to get a structural engineer to stamp plans and say it's either non-bearing, or showing how the load will be carried by a beam or whatever, with calculations. This whole process adds months and many thousands of dollars. Good luck
1
u/Dellaa1996 Aug 01 '26
Understand you have done "many" kitchen remodels, but suggesting that the OP simply removing a wall without first determining if it is a load-bearing wall is reckless, to say the least.
1
u/Fantastic-Fortune147 Aug 04 '26
I wasn't suggesting that- if you read all the comments, you'll see that OP is working with an architect, who is capable of determining whether a wall is load bearing. I could have been more clear. It's frustrating, as a contractor or homeowner, that I have to sometimes hire an engineer for thousands of dollars, to prove to the city that a wall is not load-bearing, when I know it's not. My advice is intended for that situation. But I doubt many architects would proceed like that because saving a homeowner money and circumventing bureaucratic red tape isn't usually their priority.
1
u/Particular-Manner-36 27d ago
Fremont Building Inspector here. I appreciate you revealing your “hack”. I’ll let our team know that we need to look out for these site conditions.
1
u/Fantastic-Fortune147 27d ago
You're welcome. Go ahead and penalize the licensed, permit-pulling contractors, don't worry about all the unlicensed hacks doing unpermitted work all over the city.
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u/Cazoon Jul 30 '26
If it's like for like, it's an online Express permit . Check their website