Permit Issuance FAQs

Owner/Contractors can apply and pay for the following permit types online:

• Water Heaters
• Sewer lateral repairs
• HVAC change outs
• Electric Service Upgrades (Edison SR# required)
• Temporary Power Poles
• Reroofs

Apply for Building Permit

Email the following documents to building@ggcity.org

• Plan Check/ Permit Application: Permit Plan Check Application
• Permit Declaration: Permit Declaration
• Photovoltaic Plans
• Structural Calculations

Email a Permit Plan Check Application (PPCA) along with a complete set of plans to the Planning Division at planning@ggcity.org to obtain an “OK to submit” (do not copy Building in this email request). Planning may require additional Planning applications, it is recommended you contact them before submitting.

Once an “OK to submit” has been obtained, you may make a formal submittal by email to Building & Safety with a completed PPCA, complete set of plans and proof of Planning Divisions “OK to submit”.
Permit staff will review your documents, ensuring they meet the minimum requirements to submit for review.

If your application and documents meet the requirements to make a formal submittal to Building & Safety, permit staff will process your application and email an invoice for payment of plan check fees.

After plan check fees have been paid, you will be required to drop off one (1) complete set of plans, structural calculations and energy calculations with (1) digital copy of plans and documents on a USB.

Reference the following documents on our website for plan requirements Handouts (1) Submittal Guidelines for Residential, (2) Submittal Guidelines for Commercial.

Note: Additional water fixtures added to a lot requires Water 714-741-5346 approval prior to submittal.

Resubmittals can be emailed to building@ggcity.org if the original submittal was applied by email. One (1) complete set of revised plans will still be required to be dropped off. Permit staff will make arrangements with you once the resubmittal has been received by email.

Plans that were originally submitted as hard copies may be placed in the “resubmittal” bin in front of City Hall, be sure to provide your information in the log book and provide all red-lined sets and/or comments.

Email a completed Permit Plan Check Application to building@ggcity.org with the total valuation for the cost of construction. Provide a clear description of the scope of work. Commercial projects are required to provide the valuation and quantities for electrical, plumbing and mechanical to obtain plan check fees.

Fees under $5000.00 may be paid by credit card via online invoicing and/or credit card authorization. Fees greater than $5000.00 are required to be paid by check. When fees are ready to be collected, permit staff will be in contact with the applicant and provide payment instructions.

You may access plan check status at Plan Check Status by entering the plan check number or the address.

Permit fees are calculated and an invoice and final permit documents will be emailed to the applicant for permit processing. Documents may include: permit application, permit declaration, construction waste management plan, requirements for providing school fees and Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Notification.

Permit staff will make arrangements with you to provide two (2) full size printed plan sets and documents for Final Stamping and issuance of City Set and Job Set of plans.

Once permit fees have been paid and permits have been signed for, permit staff will make arrangements with the applicant to pick up the inspection card and approved job-site set of plans.

Once plans are ready to be issued for permits, permit staff will contact you to provide two (2) sets of complete plans for stamping. Upon issuance, the applicant will be provided with the approved job-site set and the city will maintain a copy for records. Permit staff will make arrangements with the applicant for pick up.

Dependent on the remaining correction items (non-life safety) a TCO request can be made. Email your request to building@ggcity.org. Permit staff will respond to the email with a TCO application that is required to be completed by the permit holder Owner and/or Contractor. Return the completed application with a copy of your inspection card (front and back) via email. The application will be submitted to the Building Official for review and approval/denial.

You may request a one-time extension by emailing building@ggcity.org. Permit staff will respond and work with you on obtaining your extension.

Once your permit has expired, you may request a one-time extension by emailing building@ggcity.org. Permit staff will respond and work with you on obtaining your extension.

The City of Garden Grove does not have all plans for every property within Garden Grove. To start the request process, email building@ggcity.org with the request and address. Building staff will verify if the property has plans and will respond with required procedures for obtaining copies.

To cancel your permit and request a refund, click the following link Refund Request.

For Building & Safety call 714-741-5307, Planning Division call 714-741-5312, Engineering Division call 714-741-5887 or 714-741-5192, Water Division call 714-741-5346 or 714-741-5349.

You may access plan check status at Plan Check Status by entering the plan check number or the address.

Commercial: Contact Phil Nguyen at 714-741-5328 or philn@ggcity.org
Residential: Contact 714-741-5238 or building@ggcity.org

Commercial: Contact Phil Nguyen at 714-741-5328 or philn@ggcity.org
Residential: Contact 714-741-5238 or building@ggcity.org

For your specific project, contact your plans examiner directly by telephone or email. Please include the plan check number and address in your communication.

Communicate with the consultant directly via telephone or email. For plan routing, all plans shall be routed through the City of Garden Grove, unless approval by City Staff is given to submit directly to the consultant.

Although the Building & Safety counter is closed, you may contact your plans examiner by telephone, email or schedule an appointment through a virtual platform meeting.

Questions for fire plan review shall be directed to OCFA at 714-573-6100 or fireprevclerk@ocfa.org
However, the application for fire plan review starts with the city contact brysond@ggcity.org.

For Building & Safety call 714-741-5307, or contact Phil Nguyen at 714-741-5328, or 714-741-5238.

You may schedule your inspection online at the following Inspection Request

You may verify your inspection time the morning of your inspection online at the following link Lookup Inspection Time or call 714-741-5307.

You may want to consider rescheduling any non-essential inspections for a later date. Especially if the inspection is to take place within a dwelling/enclosed space or in a location that does not allow for a six foot (6’) minimum of social distancing.

All inspections will ONLY be made at a social distancing basis of at least 6 feet, with 10 feet being preferable.

Confined space inspections (i.e.: interior residential remodels) will be offered to be completed through a virtual setting. Virtual settings includes: GoogleDuo, FaceTime, Skype, video with photos, etc. The option available is subject to the Building Inspector

Be aware that inspections will take longer due to the necessity for social distancing or remote inspections. Please be patient as we will continue to service all customers in as timely a manner as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding private homes or tight-quarter inspections, please contact Mike Austin at michaela@ggcity.org or 714-741-5172.

For any other questions or concerns regarding Building & Safety Inspections, please feel free to contact us by at 714-741-5307 or sending an email to us at building@ggcity.org, please do not duplicate the requests.