When Is a Permit Required—and How We Guide You Through the Process
Permits may not be the most glamorous part of design—but they’re one of the most important.
In Napa Valley, where many homes are custom-built, historic, or located on properties with unique zoning, permitting is more than just a formality. It protects your investment, ensures safety, and keeps your project running smoothly with your local jurisdiction.
Still, for homeowners, knowing when a permit is required, and how to get one, can feel daunting. That’s where we come in.
When Is a Permit Required?
While requirements vary by project and location, here are some common situations where a permit is typically necessary in Napa County:
Structural Changes
Removing or relocating walls, adding square footage, or altering your home’s layout almost always requires a permit.Electrical or Plumbing Work
Any upgrades to electrical panels, moving plumbing lines, or installing new systems (like radiant heat or gas fireplaces) generally need approval.Window and Door Changes
Enlarging openings, adding skylights, or changing window locations often requires city review—especially in historic zones.Exterior Work
Projects that affect the exterior appearance of your home (new roofs, decks, siding, pools, or fencing) usually need a permit, and sometimes design review.Kitchens and Bathrooms
Full remodels that go beyond surface-level finishes will often require permits, particularly when utilities are being relocated. Not moving appliance locations, you may not need one.ADUs and Guest Houses, JADUs
With Napa Valley’s increasing interest in accessory dwellings, permitting is essential for any legal addition, especially for resale value and code compliance.
How We Help You Through It
Permitting doesn’t have to slow you down or stress you out. Here’s how we support you through the process:
1. We Plan for Permitting from the Start
Our design process accounts for what’s likely to require approval, so your project is scoped realistically, with timelines that reflect the actual work ahead.
2. We work closely with our General Contractors
We coordinate closely with architects and general contractors to ensure plans are permit-ready, complete with proper site plans, elevations, and technical details.
3. We Guide the Paperwork and Submissions
While we don’t act as permit expediters ourselves, we work hand-in-hand with our team to ensure submittals are complete, aesthetically aligned, and move smoothly through the city or county review process.
4. We Understand Local Nuances
Having worked extensively in Napa, St. Helena, and Calistoga, were familiar with each city’s unique requirements and review timelines—and how to navigate them with grace. Sometimes a relationship can move things along, Napa Valley is still a “small town” in some regards. We all take care of each other!
5. We Keep the Project Moving
Even while permitting is underway, we continue working on materials, furnishings, and construction schedules so your project doesn’t lose momentum.
The Bottom Line? You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
One of the greatest values of working with an experienced designer is knowing you have a partner who sees the full picture, not just the pretty parts.
At Sarah Allen Design, we’re here to guide you through every phase of your home project, from concept to completion—including the tricky middle parts like permitting, scheduling, and approvals.
Because peace of mind is part of good design, too.