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Are building permits public record in California?
Yes. Building permits issued in California are public records under the California Public Records Act (Gov't Code § 7920.000 et seq.). Many cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, also publish them as free open data that anyone can download and search.
By Matt K, Founder & CEO, PermitWire · Updated November 11, 2026
What a California permit record includes
Records usually show the address, permit type, a description of the work, the declared project value, the issue date and often the contractor of record. Owner names and phone numbers are often redacted or left out of open-data feeds.
Using California permit records for sales
Contractors may use public permit records to find projects. Mail and door-to-door outreach are the simplest routes. For calls and texts, check the National Do Not Call Registry and federal TCPA rules, and get consent before any automated text.
PermitWire cities in California
- San Francisco, CA building permits (124 in the latest run) · official source
- Los Angeles, CA building permits (779 in the latest run) · official source
This page is general information, not legal advice.