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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Biggs
Biggs states the California Building Code generally requires permits whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished, with limited exceptions. Biggs specifically lists new homes, additions, remodels, covered patios, wood stoves or fireplaces, furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, pools or spas, all plumbing work, all electrical work, reroofs, sewer work, detached structures over 120 square feet, decks over 30 inches high, and retaining walls over 4 feet high.
Retaining walls or planters 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of footing
Decks less than 30 inches high
Window coverings
Detached or portable accessory structures 200 square feet or less
Painting and wallpapering
Cabinet replacement
Low-voltage lighting
Fixture or outlet replacement
- Exempt Retaining walls or planters 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of footing
- Exempt Decks less than 30 inches high
- Exempt Window coverings
- Exempt Detached or portable accessory structures 200 square feet or less
- Exempt Painting and wallpapering
- Exempt Cabinet replacement
- Exempt Low-voltage lighting
- Exempt Fixture or outlet replacement
Note: Biggs states exempt items still must comply with zoning setbacks and height restrictions where applicable. The city also separately states detached structures over 120 square feet require a permit, so applicants should confirm whether a proposed accessory structure falls under a city zoning or planning review, county building review, or both before relying on an exemption.
Required documents
- Biggs site plan review application where applicable
- One hard copy and one electronic copy of the site plan for city review
- Permit application
- Complete plans signed by the designer or licensed professional
- Structural calculations if applicable
- Special inspection forms if applicable
- Grant deed copy
- Permit fee payment
- School district approval if applicable
- Proof of current contractor license
- Workers' compensation insurance for contractors
- Building code
- Butte County Building states that permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026 are reviewed under the 2025 California Building Standards Codes. County checklists list the 2025 California Residential, Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire, and Wildland-Urban Interface Codes.
- Permit validity
- Butte County is administering the current 2025 California Building Standards Code cycle for permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026. The county webpages reviewed do not state a separate Biggs-specific expiration rule for standard permits; applicants should confirm the active permit expiration period with Butte County Building Division before filing. Biggs temporary construction water or electrical service for new construction is limited to 6 months unless the city grants an extension.
- Owner-builder
- Biggs routes building permits through Butte County. County owner-builder checklists and ordinances show owner-builder permits are available in certain contexts, and contractor-only issuance items apply only when a contractor is used. Verify owner-builder declaration requirements with Butte County for the specific permit type.
- Contractor requirements
- Butte County requires proof of current contractor's license and workers' compensation insurance at issuance for contractor-filed permits. The county also links applicants to the CSLB contractor search.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Biggs site plan review typically within 21 business days; city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County building plan check page currently shows about 3 weeks for single-family and accessory reviews.
- 01 Start with the City of Biggs Planning Department for most development projects. The city states most projects should begin with an email or visit to planning, and projects such as garage conversions, height changes, additions, in-ground pools, footprint changes, and projects affected by city setbacks may need city site plan approval first.
- 02 Submit the Biggs site plan review application to the city when required, with one hard copy and one electronic copy of the site plan. City code requires city approval before applying to Butte County for the building permit, and signed site plans must be included with the county submittal.
- 03 After city approval, apply to Butte County Building Division through ACA, online or counter submission, or the county upload method identified in county checklists. Submit permit application, plans, and supporting documents.
- 04 County staff performs plan check and route reviews. Biggs states site plan reviews are typically completed within 21 business days and the city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County's building page currently shows residential and accessory plan checks running about 3 weeks.
- 05 Pay permit and related review fees, satisfy issuance conditions, then print and keep approved plans on site for inspections.
- 06 Schedule inspections through the ACA portal. For new construction in Biggs, notify the city when the project is complete so city staff can inspect and send written approval to the county before the county final inspection is requested.
Typical processing time: Biggs site plan review typically within 21 business days; city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County building plan check page currently shows about 3 weeks for single-family and accessory reviews.
Source: Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Biggs building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No single countywide minimum building permit fee was clearly stated on the public building page reviewed. Common county fee examples published in 2026 include reroof $233, demolition $233, water heater $115, HVAC $233, roof-mount solar $450, and shed up to 300 square feet $549.
02
Plan check fee
Included within county permit fee categories or schedule by permit type; verify the exact line item in ACA or with staff for the project scope. Biggs site plan review and final inspection fee is a deposit calculated by building footprint: new construction $0.20/sf; remodel $0.30/sf with a $25 minimum.
03
Permit fee formula
Butte County uses a schedule of flat or base fees plus square-foot adders by permit type rather than a single published valuation formula on the building page. Biggs separately charges city fees and deposits for utility-related city fees on new construction, plus a site plan review and final site inspection deposit fee.
04
Penalty (no permit)
Butte County's current master fee schedule includes a Building Permit Investigation Fee of 2x the permit fee and a Failure to Final Investigation Fee of $452. Biggs warns that work started without permits can trigger stop-work action and additional fees.
County permit fees are paid through the county process or portal. Biggs requires city fees and deposits, including sewer, water, storm drain, electrical, and parks fees, to be paid at site plan submittal for new construction projects.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Accela Citizen Access (online)
- (530) 552-3699 (phone)
- dsbuilding@buttecounty.net (email)
- Time windows
- The county inspection schedule page posts estimated times by day and notes inspectors may arrive up to 1 hour earlier or later than the posted time. The building page says the inspection schedule shows the 2-hour window and inspector name.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence is foundation or footing, slab or under-floor, rough framing with rough plumbing, electrical, or mechanical or 4-way inspection, then final. Biggs requires city staff approval for completed new construction before the county final inspection is requested.
Source: Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Biggs permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Biggs, CA? ▸
Biggs states the California Building Code generally requires permits whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished, with limited exceptions. Biggs specifically lists new homes, additions, remodels, covered patios, wood stoves or fireplaces, furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, pools or spas, all plumbing work, all electrical work, reroofs, sewer work, detached structures over 120 square feet, decks over 30 inches high, and retaining walls over 4 feet high.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Biggs, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Biggs, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No single countywide minimum building permit fee was clearly stated on the public building page reviewed. Common county fee examples published in 2026 include reroof $233, demolition $233, water heater $115, HVAC $233, roof-mount solar $450, and shed up to 300 square feet $549.. Fees are calculated as: Butte County uses a schedule of flat or base fees plus square-foot adders by permit type rather than a single published valuation formula on the building page. Biggs separately charges city fees and deposits for utility-related city fees on new construction, plus a site plan review and final site inspection deposit fee.. Plan check fee: Included within county permit fee categories or schedule by permit type; verify the exact line item in ACA or with staff for the project scope. Biggs site plan review and final inspection fee is a deposit calculated by building footprint: new construction $0.20/sf; remodel $0.30/sf with a $25 minimum..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Biggs, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Biggs, CA, follow these steps: 1. Start with the City of Biggs Planning Department for most development projects. The city states most projects should begin with an email or visit to planning, and projects such as garage conversions, height changes, additions, in-ground pools, footprint changes, and projects affected by city setbacks may need city site plan approval first. 2. Submit the Biggs site plan review application to the city when required, with one hard copy and one electronic copy of the site plan. City code requires city approval before applying to Butte County for the building permit, and signed site plans must be included with the county submittal. 3. After city approval, apply to Butte County Building Division through ACA, online or counter submission, or the county upload method identified in county checklists. Submit permit application, plans, and supporting documents. 4. County staff performs plan check and route reviews. Biggs states site plan reviews are typically completed within 21 business days and the city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County's building page currently shows residential and accessory plan checks running about 3 weeks. 5. Pay permit and related review fees, satisfy issuance conditions, then print and keep approved plans on site for inspections. 6. Schedule inspections through the ACA portal. For new construction in Biggs, notify the city when the project is complete so city staff can inspect and send written approval to the county before the county final inspection is requested.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Biggs, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Biggs, CA typically run Biggs site plan review typically within 21 business days; city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County building plan check page currently shows about 3 weeks for single-family and accessory reviews.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Biggs, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Biggs, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Retaining walls or planters 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of footing; Decks less than 30 inches high; Window coverings; Detached or portable accessory structures 200 square feet or less; Painting and wallpapering; Cabinet replacement; Low-voltage lighting; Fixture or outlet replacement. Note: Biggs states exempt items still must comply with zoning setbacks and height restrictions where applicable. The city also separately states detached structures over 120 square feet require a permit, so applicants should confirm whether a proposed accessory structure falls under a city zoning or planning review, county building review, or both before relying on an exemption. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Biggs, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Biggs, CA via: Accela Citizen Access, (530) 552-3699, dsbuilding@buttecounty.net.
last verified April 2026
source Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/butte/biggs
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.