Building Division

MASTER FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE: As we continue to improve our services, we want to inform you about upcoming changes to our Master Fee Schedule. Starting January 1, 2025, new fees will take effect, and a 4% convenience fee will be applied to credit card transactions exceeding $250. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to review the updated fee schedule on our website Adopted FY 2025 Master Fee Scheduled - Effective January 1, 2025

Rocketship and an astronaut near the text "We've Launched Something BIG"

Hayward e-Permits are here! 

Hayward's new online permitting system offers an easy, convenient way to submit permit applications for development projects, add contractors to your project, pay fees, download permits, schedule inspections, check your inspector's estimated time of arrival (ETA), see inspection results, and so much more without ever leaving your home or office. Learn more about our new system below.

E-Permits Portal E-Permits Help Center

To reach other permit center divisions, please call the numbers below, or e-mail your staff contact directly:

For the Building Division, (510) 583-4140 or email: e-permts@hayward-ca.gov

For the Fire Prevention Department, (510) 583-4900 or email: haywardfirepermits@hayward-ca.gov

For the Planning Division, (510) 583-4216 or email: planning.division@hayward-ca.gov

For the Code Enforcement Division, (510) 583-4143 or contact your code inspector directly or the telephone number shown on the letter you received.

The Building Division serves Hayward's residents and business community by ensuring that all buildings in the City are safe. We do this by reviewing preliminary drawings for code compliance and verifying quality of work during construction.

Construction Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sundays & Holidays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
* Please note: These are construction hours and not office hours
Chapter 4 of the Municipal Code; Section 4-1.04 titled ‘Construction and Alteration of Structures; Landscaping Activities’. Any concerns of construction hours should be directed to the Hayward Police Department for enforcement of noise control. For further information consult Hayward Municipal Code - Chapter 4.

Mission:

  • Maintain the highest level of public safety and customer service in the administration of building construction code enforcement
  • Provide City of Hayward residents with a safe environment to live, work, learn
  • Enforce building codes to protect people from the hazards of unsafe construction.     

Building Handouts (Can also be found below under Documents & Reports)

Reach Code

Adopted Codes Enforced in Hayward:

All of the California codes are now published for free online at: www.bsc.ca.gov/codes.aspx

The following codes are mandatory throughout California and are adopted and enforced in Hayward:

  • 2022 California Building Code (Volumes 1 and 2)
  • 2022 California Residential Code
  • 2022 California Electrical Code
  • 2022 California Plumbing Code
  • 2022 California Mechanical Code
  • 2022 California Energy Code
  • 2022 California Green Building Standards Code “CalGreen” (no CalGreen tiers are adopted locally)

Local Codes and Ordinances:

Hayward no longer has a Green Building Ordinance. This is now covered by the new Energy Code and CalGreen, which are mandatory statewide. Hayward has some minor amendments to the Mechanical Code and the Electrical Code that are unique to our jurisdiction. 

Plastic Pipe is Now Allowed in Hayward (ABS, PVC, PEX and similar materials are approved for use). If you need more detailed information (recommended only for professional non-residential contractors, architects and engineers) you can view the specifics of the local Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical ordinances in the City of Hayward Municipal Code.

Services

How can we help? Here are some of the services offered that are unique to the Building Division.

Phased Approval Permits
Request for Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
Assign or change a property address
Programs

On July 2nd, 2019 the City of Hayward adopted an ordinance which requires mandatory screening of potential “Soft Story Buildings”. This ordinance was passed as part of a strategic initiative to provide a safe and resilient housing stock for Hayward residents. The adoption of this ordinance is the first step in addressing potential Soft Story Buildings located in our city by; establishing a soft story registry, implementing a screening process, and developing a framework and guidelines to encourage the voluntary retrofitting of qualifying structures.

A “Soft Story Building” is typically a wood framed multi-story building, constructed or permitted for construction before January 1, 1979 or designed based on an adopted version of the 1976 or earlier edition of the Uniform Building Code. These structures characteristically have a weak/open lower level with little or no solid walls. Multi-family dwellings such as apartment buildings with tuck under parking stalls on the ground floor will usually fall into this category. Due to our proximity to the Hayward fault and geological studies suggesting the potential for a major seismic event within the next 20 years we feel it’s imperative that action be taken sooner than later. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers that are essential to the screening process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hayward Screening Examples

Soft Story Technical Bulletin

Hayward Screening Form

List of Potential Subject Buildings for City of Hayward Mandatory Screening Program