Del Norte County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Del Norte County Building Inspection handles building permits for construction in the unincorporated area of Del Norte County. County materials also note that additional sign-offs may be required from Planning, Engineering, Environmental Health, and fire agencies depending on the site and project.

Department

Del Norte County Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division

Address

981 H Street, Suite 110, Crescent City, CA 95531

Phone

(707) 464-7253

Email

building@co.del-norte.ca.us

Website

https://www.co.del-norte.ca.us/departments/BuildingInspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the county building permit application, checklist, and submittal handouts from the Applications and Handouts page.
2. Assemble a complete package, including the recorded grant deed, current assessor parcel map, plot plan copies, required utility/septic documentation, and full plan sets. County checklist materials state that all documentation must be submitted with the application.
3. Submit the application package to Del Norte County Building Inspection. Residential projects require 3 sets of legible drawings; commercial projects require 4 sets. New construction requires a plan check fee at submittal.
4. Obtain any required outside clearances before permit issuance, including school mitigation fee clearance where applicable, Environmental Health approvals for wells or septic issues, and other agency approvals shown on the county form.
5. After plan review and permit issuance, do not start work until the permit is issued. Complete required inspections during construction and obtain final approval.

Source: Del Norte County Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division

General Requirements

Building Inspection reviews and processes permits for construction activities regulated by the California Building Code and Title 24. The permit form covers new work, additions, alterations, repairs, moves, demolitions, replacements, remodels, change of use, and manufactured homes.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Recorded grant deed
• Current assessor parcel map
• 4 plot plan copies
• 3 complete sets of construction plans for residential projects or 4 for commercial projects
• 3 copies of Title 24 energy documents
• MWELO form when applicable
• Sprinkler documents for applicable new residences and commercial structures
• WUI and CAL FIRE Safe Regulations forms where applicable
• Utility and septic support documents
• Legal access documentation where applicable
• School mitigation fee clearance for covered projects

Permit validity

The permit becomes null and void if work does not commence within 180 days, or if work is abandoned for 180 days and no inspections occur.

Building code

County materials reference the California Building Code and Title 24, but the reviewed county sources were inconsistent about the specific adopted edition.

Owner-builder

The county application includes an owner-builder signature line, but the reviewed county pages did not publish a separate owner-builder affidavit or rule summary.

Contractor requirements

The contractor must be licensed or otherwise authorized in California and keep that license or authorization in full force during the permitted work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Valuation-based construction fees start at $24.00 for the first bracket, plus separate issuance and other applicable fees.

Plan check fee

65% of construction fees based on valuation. New construction also requires a plan check fee at submittal.

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based for building permits, using total valuation to calculate construction fees, with separate flat fees for issuance, specific trade permits, reroofs, demolitions, mobile homes, photovoltaic systems, copies, archive searches, and written interpretations.

Reinspection fee

$61 per hour for the first hour and $58 per hour after 1 hour

Penalty (no permit)

2x fees for work begun or completed before permit application.

Payment note

Archive searches, copies, and some map services are payable in advance. Plans may also be subject to postage fees and separate blueline charges.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024 Master Fee Ordinance).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Del Norte County Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (707) 464-7253 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: County materials imply a scope-dependent sequence that commonly includes foundation-related review, framing inspection, and final inspection. The county checklist states roof truss calculations must be on site at framing inspection, deferred residential sprinkler design may be provided by framing inspection, and well reports must be turned in before final where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County materials reference the California Building Code and Title 24, but the reviewed county sources were inconsistent about the specific adopted edition.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Applications and Handouts
• State Building Reference Materials
• County Fee Schedules
• Legal Access Handout
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Del Norte County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Del Norte County, CA?

Building Inspection reviews and processes permits for construction activities regulated by the California Building Code and Title 24. The permit form covers new work, additions, alterations, repairs, moves, demolitions, replacements, remodels, change of use, and manufactured homes.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Del Norte County, CA?

The minimum permit fee is Valuation-based construction fees start at $24.00 for the first bracket, plus separate issuance and other applicable fees.. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based for building permits, using total valuation to calculate construction fees, with separate flat fees for issuance, specific trade permits, reroofs, demolitions, mobile homes, photovoltaic systems, copies, archive searches, and written interpretations.. Plan check fee: 65% of construction fees based on valuation. New construction also requires a plan check fee at submittal..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Del Norte County, CA?

1. Download the county building permit application, checklist, and submittal handouts from the Applications and Handouts page. 2. Assemble a complete package, including the recorded grant deed, current assessor parcel map, plot plan copies, required utility/septic documentation, and full plan sets. County checklist materials state that all documentation must be submitted with the application. 3. Submit the application package to Del Norte County Building Inspection. Residential projects require 3 sets of legible drawings; commercial projects require 4 sets. New construction requires a plan check fee at submittal. 4. Obtain any required outside clearances before permit issuance, including school mitigation fee clearance where applicable, Environmental Health approvals for wells or septic issues, and other agency approvals shown on the county form. 5. After plan review and permit issuance, do not start work until the permit is issued. Complete required inspections during construction and obtain final approval.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Del Norte County, CA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (707) 464-7253.