Unincorporated Del Norte County

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.

Note: Del Norte County did not publish a county-specific exempt-work list on the reviewed Building Inspection pages. Standard California permit exemptions should be confirmed directly against the applicable current Title 24 provisions and with the county before relying on them. Even where a building permit exemption may apply, county zoning, coastal, fire-safe, septic, well, legal-access, or other local approvals may still be required.

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   Download the county building permit application, checklist, and submittal handouts from the Applications and Handouts page.
2. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024 Master Fee Ordinance) before budgeting.

• (707) 464-7253 (phone)

Typical 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.

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