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A Building Permit is written permission from a local jurisdiction such as the City, for the construction, repair, alteration, or addition to a structure.  The issuance of building permits helps the City of Simi Valley enforce the duly adopted California Building and Fire Codes, and thus ensures that those standards of health and safety are followed. For some people, obtaining a building permit can seem time-consuming and confusing. The City has responded to this concern by developing a Simplified Express Permitting (SEP) Program.

The SEP Program was created to simplify the permitting and plan checking process for small commercial and/or tenant improvements. This program is available to business or property owners who are planning to do minor improvements to a commercial building, and was designed especially for individuals who are not familiar with the regular permitting system.

Requirements for construction/improvement to qualify:

• No changes of the existing use, occupancy, or function.
• The building's structural elements will not be affected.
• The current ``exiting system" will not be affected.
• Comply with conventional construction methods.
• The building must also comply with State Disabled Access Laws (Accessibility upgrades may be required).

SEP Permit and Inspection Process:

• Submit a completed SEP application form.
• An unreasonable hardship determination may be implemented for the compliance with the State Disabled Access Laws; a supervisor will be available to meet you at the project site to assist in the facilitation of the required unreasonable hardship documentation.
• If needed, a Building and Safety staff member will be available to assist you in completing the permit application.
• A Supervisor will facilitate a meeting at the project site to assist you.
• If your application is approved, you will need to apply for a building permit at the Building and Safety public counter.  The current cost for the program is based on the following project valuations:

Valuation	Zero to $15,000	$15,001 to $30,000	$30,001 to $50,000
Permit Fee	$350	$450	$550

• If your application is denied, the Supervisor will provide a written explanation based on the program requirements.

The Building Inspector will meet with you on every inspection, and will guide you throughout the construction until final inspection. You may apply in person at the Building and Safety Division, located in the Development Services Building, at 3855-A Alamo Street, or call the Building and Safety Division at (805) 583-6723 regarding any other questions that you may have about the SEP Program.

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