On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Clovis
Clovis says a permit is required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove, or move any house, building, or structure. The Building Division is created under Title 8 of the Clovis Municipal Code and enforces the current California Building Codes (Title 24).
One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high, subject to Planning review for some corner-lot situations
Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
Painting, papering, and similar finish work
Prefabricated above-grade swimming pools accessory to certain residential occupancies where capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high, subject to Planning review for some corner-lot situations
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated above-grade swimming pools accessory to certain residential occupancies where capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
Note: The Clovis FAQ separately states permits are still required for many common residential improvements such as remodels or alterations, reroofs, retaining walls, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and swimming pools or spas. Clovis's shed handout also says utilities added to an otherwise exempt shed trigger permit requirements for the utility work and the structure must still comply with code.
Required documents
- At minimum, the city's forms call for a permit application with applicant/owner/contractor information, project valuation, work description, and supporting items as applicable. Clovis publishes project-specific documents such as plot plans, plan checklists, addendum/change forms, fire sprinkler submittal information, reroof procedures, EVSE checklists, waste-management forms, and minimum submittal requirements for remodels, sheds, solar, and single-family work.
- Building code
- The Building page lists California Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Fire Code 2022; Residential Building Code 2022; California Green Code 2022; and California Energy Code 2022. The municipal code states the Building Division enforces the current California Building Codes (Title 24).
- Permit validity
- Under Clovis Municipal Code section 303.4 as amended, a permit expires if work is not started within 180 days, or if work is suspended, abandoned, or no required inspection is passed within 180 days. Recommencing work after expiration generally requires a new permit; if the lapse is within one year and no plan changes are made, the fee may be one-half of a new permit fee.
- Owner-builder
- Clovis requires a Notice to Owner-Builder and Owner Builder Disclosure Form. The 2025 notice warns that if work over $500 is performed by someone other than the owner, a CSLB contractor license is required and the licensed contractor should obtain the permit. Owners acting as owner-builders may take on employer obligations, including taxes and workers' compensation, if they hire unlicensed persons.
- Contractor requirements
- The owner-builder notice says work valued over $500, including labor and materials, performed by someone other than the property owner requires a California contractor license. The residential application also asks for the contractor's license number, and some work such as PV removal/replacement requires proper contractor licenses.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the project needs a permit and pull the correct city application/checklist from the Building Division page. Clovis states permits are required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove, or move a house, building, or structure, subject to listed exemptions.
- 02 Prepare the application package. The current residential permit form requires job site information, applicant/owner/contractor details, valuation, scope description, and method of debris handling; Clovis also publishes project-specific submittal checklists and plan requirements on the Building page.
- 03 Submit through the CSS portal or, where the city allows, in person. The residential application says "Apply Online" through the CSS portal. The Building page also states some permit types, such as photovoltaic permits, may be submitted in person or online depending on workflow.
- 04 Pay plan review and permit fees as assessed. Clovis Municipal Code section 8.1.01 states permit fees follow city fee tables on file with the Building Official, and plan review fees are due when submittal documents are required.
- 05 Respond to correction comments if the city requests revisions, then obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- 06 Schedule inspections after permit issuance. The current 2025 inspection handout directs applicants to schedule through the CSS portal by midnight the day before, then check "Today's Inspections" and call the assigned inspector for available timing.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Clovis building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Clovis Municipal Code states the minimum fee is set by Tables B-1, E-1, M-1, P-1, 3-G, and 3-H on file with the Building Official. I did not locate a current public web page that clearly publishes the dollar amount of the minimum fee.
02
Plan check fee
65 percent of the building permit fee for building work; 25 percent of total permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plan review; separate additional plan review fees may apply for incomplete or revised submittals.
03
Permit fee formula
Permit fees are set by the city's adopted fee tables. Plan review for building work is 65 percent of the building permit fee when submittal documents are required. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plan review fees are 25 percent of the respective permit fee. Clovis also publishes valuation update notices on the Building page.
04
Reinspection fee
The municipal code publishes investigation fees for unpermitted work. The base investigation fee equals the permit fee, with the minimum tied to the same city fee tables; repeated violations escalate progressively up to ten times the permit fee. The code excerpt reviewed does not separately publish a standard dollar reinspection charge.
05
Penalty (no permit)
The municipal code publishes investigation fees for unpermitted work. The base investigation fee equals the permit fee, with the minimum tied to the same city fee tables; repeated violations escalate progressively up to ten times the permit fee. The code excerpt reviewed does not separately publish a standard dollar reinspection charge.
Clovis routes permit activity through the CSS portal and lists online payments among the portal functions on the Building page.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Permit portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests may be submitted online until midnight the day before.
- Inspection hours
- Requests may be submitted online until midnight the day before. A.M., P.M., and specific-time requests may be considered but are not guaranteed and depend on inspector workload. Building counter hours shown on the Building page are 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
Typical sequence: Clovis Municipal Code section 305.5 requires inspections before covered work is concealed. The code excerpt specifically lists foundation inspections after excavation and reinforcing steel are complete and before concrete placement, among other required inspections as work progresses.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Clovis permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Clovis, CA? ▸
Clovis says a permit is required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove, or move any house, building, or structure. The Building Division is created under Title 8 of the Clovis Municipal Code and enforces the current California Building Codes (Title 24).
02 How much does a building permit cost in Clovis, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Clovis, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Clovis Municipal Code states the minimum fee is set by Tables B-1, E-1, M-1, P-1, 3-G, and 3-H on file with the Building Official. I did not locate a current public web page that clearly publishes the dollar amount of the minimum fee.. Fees are calculated as: Permit fees are set by the city's adopted fee tables. Plan review for building work is 65 percent of the building permit fee when submittal documents are required. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plan review fees are 25 percent of the respective permit fee. Clovis also publishes valuation update notices on the Building page.. Plan check fee: 65 percent of the building permit fee for building work; 25 percent of total permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plan review; separate additional plan review fees may apply for incomplete or revised submittals..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Clovis, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Clovis, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project needs a permit and pull the correct city application/checklist from the Building Division page. Clovis states permits are required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove, or move a house, building, or structure, subject to listed exemptions. 2. Prepare the application package. The current residential permit form requires job site information, applicant/owner/contractor details, valuation, scope description, and method of debris handling; Clovis also publishes project-specific submittal checklists and plan requirements on the Building page. 3. Submit through the CSS portal or, where the city allows, in person. The residential application says "Apply Online" through the CSS portal. The Building page also states some permit types, such as photovoltaic permits, may be submitted in person or online depending on workflow. 4. Pay plan review and permit fees as assessed. Clovis Municipal Code section 8.1.01 states permit fees follow city fee tables on file with the Building Official, and plan review fees are due when submittal documents are required. 5. Respond to correction comments if the city requests revisions, then obtain permit issuance before starting work. 6. Schedule inspections after permit issuance. The current 2025 inspection handout directs applicants to schedule through the CSS portal by midnight the day before, then check "Today's Inspections" and call the assigned inspector for available timing.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Clovis, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Clovis, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high, subject to Planning review for some corner-lot situations; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below; Painting, papering, and similar finish work; Prefabricated above-grade swimming pools accessory to certain residential occupancies where capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons. Note: The Clovis FAQ separately states permits are still required for many common residential improvements such as remodels or alterations, reroofs, retaining walls, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and swimming pools or spas. Clovis's shed handout also says utilities added to an otherwise exempt shed trigger permit requirements for the utility work and the structure must still comply with code. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Clovis, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Clovis, CA via: Permit portal. Requests may be submitted online until midnight the day before..
last verified April 2026
entry id permits/california/fresno/clovis
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Clovis Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.