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Building Department

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1. When do you need a permit?

A building permit is required whenever you plan to do the following:

• Build a house or other buildings/structures
• Make improvements or alterations to your home or structure
• Move or demolish a building
• Roof or re-roof your home or other building
• Make electrical, plumbing, or heating installations or alterations
• Install a wood burning stove or build a fireplace
• Build a swimming pool, some accessory building, fences over six feet high or a retaining wall over four feet high

In brief, you will need a permit for any work that physically changes or adds structures to your property. When in doubt, give us a call at (209) 966-3934.

2. Why do you need a permit?

The California Building Codes have been adopted by your Board of Supervisors as required to protect health, general welfare, and your investment in your property. The evidence of a building permit is often necessary to obtain financing from lending agencies. Fire and liability insurance damages may not be paid in some cases where permits were not obtained and improvements do not meet regulations.

3. What applications do I initiate?

It is the responsibility of the owner to contact Pacific, Gas and Electric to initiate the application for power. Special District applications are applied for at Public Works Office. A Road Encroachment application is applied for at the Public Works Office and encroachments off of a state highway are applied for at the Cal Trans Office.

4. How much does the permit cost?

There is no single fee for the building permit. Fees are based on the square footage and the amount of plumbing, electrical, and mechanical involved. The building permit fee will be collected at the time the building permit is issued. A plan check deposit is paid when the application is initiated.

5. What is plan checking?

Plan checking is a function performed prior to the issuance of a building permit and assures you that your plans have been reviewed for conformance to the current California Building Codes. Special engineering may be required.

6. How soon can I get a permit?

When you submit your plans, you will be told approximately when the initial plan check will be completed. Generally, signs and non-engineered minor projects can be plan checked in approximately five to eight working days, single family dwellings in seven to ten working days. If corrections are needed, the determination of the time frame will depend on the time required for the resubmittal of the corrections. Also required may be approvals from Planning, County Fire, Public Works, County Health, or other agencies. Plans are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. When are inspections required?

A general rule to remember is that before any phase of construction is concealed by a subsequent phase, an inspection is required.

8. What does the inspector do?

The inspector checks the work that is being done for compliance with the approved plans and applicable codes and ordinances. They will inspect each phase of the job and will approve it before the next part of the job begins. The job card lists the inspections which must be made on your project. As each inspection is made and approved, the job card will be signed and dated. On new construction the inspection might follow this pattern:

a. Under slab electrical/plumbing

b. Foundation, ufer ground & setbacks

c. Bond Beam

d. Under floor framing/plumbing

e. Under floor insulation

f. Roof Nailing

g. Rough framing, electrical, plumbing & mechanical

h. Insulation

i. Sheetrock Nail

j. Final interior/exterior gas test

k. Blue tag service when riser/panel is in place.

l. Final on project

* Temporary power service when panel and riser in place - GFI only for construction power.

9. How do I call for an inspection?

Telephone (209) 966-3934 from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Monday through Friday during all regular workdays. A 24 hour advance notice is required.