Building and Safety Questions

Permit Questions

How long is a building permit good for?

Permits become expired and invalid if the work is not commenced within 12 months after its issuance. Permits also expire if the work authorized on the site by the permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 12 months.

The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, a 180-day extension. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days from date of application shall be void or withdrawn.

What is the maximum size accessory structure I can build without a permit?

120 square feet. Provided that it is a one-story detached tool, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses if do not contain utilities and are within the minimum setbacks and are less than 14 feet in height.

Who can pull a Building permit?

Property Owners, State of California Licensed Contractors, or Agent for property owner/ contractor may pull a permit with the following paperwork. Complete paperwork must be current each time a permit is pulled.

Property Owners

Proof of identification (Driver’s License, State Issued ID card, Alien Registration Card or Passport – Photo ID’s only).
Proof of ownership if there has been a recent of transfer of ownership (Grant Deed, Property Tax Statement or closing statement from Escrow).
Notice to Property Owner Form. The property owner signature must be notarized if owner is not present at time of building permit issuance.
Agents of residential property owners will also need to provide a notarized Authorization of Agent to Act on Property Owner’s Behalf.
If the property is owned by a Trust, you will need to provide a copy of the trust paperwork showing the trustee or executor.
If the property is owned by a Corporation, LLC or Partnership you will need to provide a copy of the paperwork verifying the President, Vice-President, CEO, partner, or managing member.

Contractors

Proof of Identification (Driver’s License, State Issued ID card, Alien Registration Card or Passport – Photo ID’s only)
Proof of current State of California Contractor’s License & classification (pocket card)
Agents signing on behalf of License Contractor will also need one the following paperwork:
- - Letter of Authorization on the Contractor’s letterhead authorizing a person (not a business) to pull the building permit.
  - Notarized letter authorizing a person (not a business) to pull the building permit.

Note: A tenant of a building cannot pull a permit unless they are an agent for either the Property Owner or Contractor.

When do I apply for a Building and Safety Permit?

PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

New Detached Buildings (Residential and Non-Residential) greater than 120 square feet*
Tenant Improvements
Solar Installation
Patio Covers (Solid and Lattice)
Enclosed Patios
Electric Charging Station
Additions and Alterations
Pools and Spas
Sheds and other Detached Accessory Structures greater than 120 square feet
Carports, Garages and Barns
Fences over 6 ft. in height
Retaining Walls over 3 ft. in height
Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical and Structural Repairs
Re-roofing (Residential and Non-Residential)
Temporary structures such as a modular unit, recreational vehicle/trailer.
Onsite Grading
Demolition
Erosion Control
Signs
Other types of construction activities, not listed here, may require a permit. All building setbacks must be maintained, whether a building requires a permit or not. Please contact a representative of the Building and Safety Division at (909) 387-8311 or (760) 995-8140 (desert area) for any questions or to verify whether a permit will be required for your project.

*Per County Development Code section 84.01.020(b), An accessory structure or use shall always exist in conjunction with, and never without, a legally established primary structure or primary use that has the same common owner. Where the primary use is a residence, it shall not be enclosed within an accessory structure. Where the primary use has not yet been established, an accessory structure may only be built subject to the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit in compliance with Chapter 84.25 (Temporary Structures and Uses).

Inspection Process

I have obtained my building permit. At what stages of construction do I need an inspection?

In general, an inspection will be required prior to covering up or concealing any completed work.

The following is a list of typical construction inspections and the general sequence in which they should occur. All required erosion control measures shall be in place, inspected and approved prior to commencing any building construction activity.

UNDERGROUND/UNDER SLAB PLUMBING: Prior to any footing or foundation inspection, rough underground waste plumbing to be in place and a water test provided (cap all ends and openings and provide a 10 foot head of water).
Measurements from building forms to property lines will be verified at this time to ensure the approved building setbacks are maintained. Setback certification (if required) shall be provided to the inspector.
FOUNDATION INSPECTION, CONCRETE SLAB GRADE OR UNDER-FLOOR: To be made after all ground plumbing has been approved and backfilled. All required reinforcing bars, hardware, and holdowns are in place. This inspection must be performed and approved before placement of concrete slab or floor sheathing.
ROOF SHEATHING AND SHEAR WALL INSPECTION: To be made after all roof sheathing is in place and nailed as per the approved plans, but before any roofing materials are applied or loaded on the roof. All required plywood shear panels on exterior walls must also be nailed per the approved plans and inspected before being covered by exterior finish materials. Roof Framing and Truss systems will also be checked for compliance with the approved plans.
COMBO INSPECTION (ROUGH ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, & FRAMING INSPECTIONS): To be made after all framing and roofing is completed (tile roofing need not be complete if the roof has been made substantially weather tight, but tile must be loaded on roof). All rough plumbing (including fire sprinkler piping, if required), mechanical and electrical installations must be in place. Water supply piping (hot and cold) shall be under pressure and any second story shower and/or tubs shall be filled with water along with all drain, waste and vent piping below the overflow level of the tubs. Shower pans are built/installed and filled with water for testing. Fireplaces must be installed. Stucco paper & lath must be in place and nailed as per approved plans. Window frames and exterior door frames must be in place and properly flashed.

Note: Fire Department rough inspection must be approved prior to Building & Safety’s Combo inspection.
INSULATION INSPECTION: To be made after all required insulation is in place, openings caulked and required sealing done. Vapor barrier on walls and ceiling to be in place in climate zones 14 & 16 (Mountain & Desert regions).
DRYWALL INSPECTION: To be made after all drywall (or interior lath) and all attachments are fastened in place per the approved plans. To be approved before scratch-coat is applied and before any drywall mud is applied.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL & WATER SERVICE FROM METER TO HOUSE INSPECTION: To be made after trenches are dug, piping is in place and the appropriate test is applied. The general contractor is responsible for supplying the inspector with an accurate as-built drawing showing locations of these lines. This inspection must be done before any piping is covered or trenches back filled. Septic tank and disposal fields (leach field or seepage pits) must be complete and exposed for inspection. Septic tanks are to be filled with water for leak testing.
GAS LINE AIR TEST: Indoor, Outdoor, and Underground gas lines must be under an air test using a maximum 15lb gauge and not lose any pressure for 15 minutes. This inspection can be completed after cabinets and molding are installed in the building.
FINAL INSPECTION: To be made when structure is ready for occupancy. This shall include proper lot drainage, post construction erosion control measures, permanent address posted, all plumbing fixtures connected and operable, all electrical fixtures and devices in place and electrically connected, insulation certificate posted, structure clean of debris or stored materials, wall finishes complete per approved plans, HERS Rater report on-site, etc.
Please be advised that all final inspections must be cleared (in writing) before utilities are released and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. This includes final clearance from not only the Building & Safety Division but also Planning, Land Development, Public Works Roads, Fire Department and Solid Waste Construction Waste Management Plan, (CWMP) Clearance. All outstanding fees owed to these departments must be paid prior to approving a final inspection and granting a Certificate of Occupancy.

Note: The general contractor/owner-builder or his duly authorized representative is responsible for verifying that all work is complete before requesting an inspection. This authorized representative shall also be responsible for walking with the inspector on all inspections and for coordinating all of his/her subcontractor duties relevant to correction items cited by the inspector. Re-inspections will be made as requested after all corrections have been made.

Please provide a sufficient temporary address so that the inspector can easily identify your property.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Inspections can be scheduled by downloading the EZ Inspect App on your smart phone, at Accela Citizen Access (sbcounty.gov), or by phone. CLICK HERE for more information. Please have your permit number available for scheduling.

Inspection requests received by 4:00 pm will be scheduled for the following work day. When the schedule is full for the next day, the inspection will be scheduled for the next available day. Note: Due to the remote nature and low volume of requests, some areas of the County have limited inspections available during the week. Please click here to verify when inspections are available in your area.

For remote locations please consider using a virtual Virtual Inspections – EZ Inspect App (sbcounty.gov) or a self-inspection Self Inspections – EZ Inspect App (sbcounty.gov).

What is a Virtual Inspection?

A Virtual Inspection (VI) is an inspection performed by utilizing a smartphone or tablet. The major benefit of utilizing VI is the ability to schedule a precise inspection time, thus eliminating the 2-4 hours of wait time.

For more information on Virtual Inspections please visit the following website:

Virtual Inspections – EZ Inspect App (sbcounty.gov)

I have a question; can I speak with my inspector?

Inspectors are available in our offices from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. to discuss inspection issues or to request an inspection window. They can be reached by phone or in person during these times.

What needs to be on the job site to complete an inspection?

It is required that the County approved plans be on-site at all times during the construction process and available for the building Inspector. Also, an adult should be on-site during the inspection. All job cards are now electronic.

My project is complete, what do I do with my plans?

It is recommended that these documents be kept as permanent record of the work performed. These items may be needed in the future for validation during a real estate transaction or insurance appraisal. All job cards are now electronic.