Union City permits depend on what kind of work is happening

Union City sits where older Alvarado and Decoto roots meet BART, homes, schools, shops, and busy East Bay roads. That mixed map is why the permit type matters. A home repair, a sidewalk change, a fire system, a grading job, and an event sound permit do not all go through the same lane.

Use the permits page to name the work clearly. Building permits are for building, remodeling, or home improvements. Fire permits cover certain fire construction and fire protection systems. Encroachment permits are for work in the public right-of-way, such as sidewalks, signs, or other improvements. Grading permits fit projects that grade, excavate, fill, or clear soil. Transportation permits cover oversized loads and trucking.

For a regular home project, the Building page is the next stop. It gives the Building Division counter hours, contact email, and phone number. Some over-the-counter permits may be issued at the counter, and the page also covers plan submittals, resubmittals, revisions, and inspection requests.

The better question is not “Do I need a permit?” in the abstract. It is “What am I touching?” A wall, roof, sidewalk, driveway, fire system, electrical panel, tree, or street edge can point to a different review. Write that down before calling.

If the work touches a tenant space or business opening, pair the permit question with zoning and business-license checks. That keeps a construction errand from becoming two separate surprises.