Hey everyone, I’m new to real estate and recently purchased a single-family home in Union City, CA. The house didn’t come with any existing floor plans, and I’m trying to figure out what’s required before starting some renovations.
I’m planning a few updates like redoing the kitchen cabinets, adding recessed lighting, and renovating a bathroom (without relocating plumbing fixtures). I’m a bit confused about when permits are actually required.
From what I understand, permits are typically needed for structural changes (like modifying load-bearing walls), but I’m not sure if they’re also required for non-structural work like cabinetry, lighting upgrades, or a bathroom refresh without plumbing changes.
Also, if permits are required, do I need to provide floor plans? And if so, do they need to be prepared by a licensed architect, or are app-based plans (like CubiCasa) sufficient for submission?
Would really appreciate any guidance or experiences, especially from folks familiar with regulations in the Bay Area / Union City. Thanks in advance!