Fresno County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Fresno County. If the portal returns a city agency such as Fresno or Clovis for the property, the permit must be filed with that city instead of the County.

Department

County of Fresno Department of Public Works and Planning, Development Services Division, Building & Safety

Address

2220 Tulare Street, Sixth Floor, Fresno, CA 93721

Phone

Building Inspection (559) 600-4560; Plan Check/Permit Information (559) 600-4570; Zoning (559) 600-4540

Email

inspection@fresnocountyca.gov , PlanCheckBuildingCode2@fresnocountyca.gov

Website

https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public-Works-and-Planning/divisions-of-public-works-and-planning/development-services-division/building-safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a Citizens Portal account in the Member Area; Fresno County requires registration with a username and password before submitting a permit application.
2. Start a new Public Works permit application, choose the application type/subtype/work type, and search the property by address or APN to confirm it is in County jurisdiction.
3. Complete the applicant declarations, including either contractor license information or owner-builder status.
4. Upload the application, plans, and supporting documents. For new structures, additions, and alterations involving partition walls, Fresno County expects a complete plan submittal with site, floor, electrical, elevation, structural, and energy documents. For smaller jobs that do not require plans, submit the project-specific documents listed by the County.
5. County staff review the submittal and generate invoices. Except for certain SolarAPP+ permits, the fee/payment step is handled after staff review and invoice issuance.
6. Pay fees through the portal when invoiced, then keep approved plans and the green inspection card on site and call in inspections before covering work.
7. Obtain final inspection approval; Fresno County states final inspection can occur with only painting, floor covering, and interior doors/finish incomplete.

Typical processing time: Portal intake is usually processed within 24-48 hours after submittal, depending on queue and staffing. For majority-residential post-entitlement permits subject to AB 2234, the County says it must determine completeness within 15 days and complete review within 30 days for projects of 25 units or fewer or 60 days for 26 units or more.

Source: County of Fresno Department of Public Works and Planning, Development Services Division, Building & Safety

General Requirements

Fresno County requires permits for erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, demolition, or conversion of a building or structure unless the work falls within state or local permit exemptions. Separate grading review may also be required in unincorporated areas.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• contractor license or owner-builder documentation
• site plan/plot plan
• full construction plans for new structures, additions, and many alterations
• structural calculations when applicable
• energy compliance forms
• and project-specific items such as CF1R forms, demolition air-district release, equipment specs, or PG&E notification numbers where required.

Permit validity

Permits expire if work is not started within 12 months of issuance or within 6 months after the last approved inspection. The Building Official may extend the permit on written request, generally not beyond 2 years from original issuance. Expired permits reissued within 6 months are typically charged 50 percent of the original permit fee if plans have not substantially changed; otherwise a new permit is required. Plan reviews become void if a permit is not issued within 12 months from completion of the initial plan review, subject to possible extension.

Building code

Fresno County Title 15 contains local permit rules and amendments. The County's December 8, 2025 Industry Bulletin states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026. Fresno County's posted Title 15 document also shows local amendments and permit exemptions under Title 15.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit Fresno County's owner-builder verification forms and identification before permit issuance. The County will not issue an owner-builder permit until the required acknowledgments are signed and returned.

Contractor requirements

The application requires the applicant to certify that they are either a California licensed contractor, the property owner, or authorized to act for the owner. Fresno County also requires either an owner-builder disclosure or a valid contractor license number for exempt accessory-structure applications under the County's expanded local exemption.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building construction permit minimum charge is $161.72 in the FY 2025-26 column of the County fee schedule.

Plan check fee

Plan review is generally 65 percent of the building permit fee for single-family, duplex, and other structures; mechanical/electrical/plumbing plan review is generally 25 percent of the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

General building permit fees are valuation-based. Fresno County instructs applicants to calculate valuation from the applicable construction valuation table and then apply the valuation schedule. When all required building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits are pulled on one application, the permit fee is reduced 5 percent as a consolidated permit.

Reinspection fee

Inspection beyond one reinspection is $151.89 per reinspection in FY 2025-26. For work started without permits, Fresno County charges a violation fee that is twice the regular amount for the work started without permits, in addition to permit fees; the fee schedule also lists a FY 2025-26 minimum of $156.26 for work without permit.

Penalty (no permit)

Inspection beyond one reinspection is $151.89 per reinspection in FY 2025-26. For work started without permits, Fresno County charges a violation fee that is twice the regular amount for the work started without permits, in addition to permit fees; the fee schedule also lists a FY 2025-26 minimum of $156.26 for work without permit.

Payment note

Except for certain pre-approved SolarAPP+ permits, invoices are generated by staff after review. Applicants then return to the portal to pay. Fresno County states credit card payments carry a 2.3 percent service fee effective January 1, 2025, and portal payments are routed through Heartland.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet under CBC Section 105.2
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratio not over 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies if less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies meeting the County's stated limits
• Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Local Fresno County additions include flagpoles and radio/TV antennas under 35 feet without receiving dishes, ground-mounted satellite dishes under 12 feet serving R-3 occupancies, transportable gypsum and fertilizer storage tanks for agricultural use, and certain detached one-story Group U accessory structures up to 240 square feet floor/column area and 380 square feet roof area

Important: Fresno County's expanded under-240-square-foot accessory-structure exemption is not automatic. The County requires an exemption application through the Citizens Portal, site plan, elevation sheet, operational statement, owner-builder disclosure or contractor license number, fee payment, and compliance with Title 15 Section 15.08.030. Additional grading review or fire-district requirements may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Permit portal (online)
• (559) 600-4131 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Building & Safety page: https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public-Works-and-Planning/divisions-of-public-works-and-planning/development-services-division/building-safety ; portal: https://permitportal.fresnocountyca.gov Inspections must be called in by 2:30 pm on the business day before the requested inspection day.

Inspection hours

Inspections must be called in by 2:30 pm on the business day before the requested inspection day. Development Services phone hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am-12:30 pm; lobby hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm.

Typical inspection sequence: Schedule inspections as work progresses and keep approved plans plus the green inspection card on site. For grading permits, Fresno County notes a rough grading inspection before foundation inspection and a final grading inspection after building completion and finish grading. Final building inspection requires the work to be complete except for painting, floor covering, and interior doors/finish.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Fresno County Title 15 contains local permit rules and amendments. The County's December 8, 2025 Industry Bulletin states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026. Fresno County's posted Title 15 document also shows local amendments and permit exemptions under Title 15.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• AB 2234 permit requirements page
• Fresno County Title 15 PDF
• Citizens Portal instructions
• Grading information for unincorporated areas
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno County Building Permit FAQ

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

Fresno County requires permits for erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, demolition, or conversion of a building or structure unless the work falls within state or local permit exemptions. Separate grading review may also be required in unincorporated areas.

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

The minimum permit fee is Building construction permit minimum charge is $161.72 in the FY 2025-26 column of the County fee schedule.. Fees are calculated as: General building permit fees are valuation-based. Fresno County instructs applicants to calculate valuation from the applicable construction valuation table and then apply the valuation schedule. When all required building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits are pulled on one application, the permit fee is reduced 5 percent as a consolidated permit.. Plan check fee: Plan review is generally 65 percent of the building permit fee for single-family, duplex, and other structures; mechanical/electrical/plumbing plan review is generally 25 percent of the permit fee..

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

1. Create a Citizens Portal account in the Member Area; Fresno County requires registration with a username and password before submitting a permit application. 2. Start a new Public Works permit application, choose the application type/subtype/work type, and search the property by address or APN to confirm it is in County jurisdiction. 3. Complete the applicant declarations, including either contractor license information or owner-builder status. 4. Upload the application, plans, and supporting documents. For new structures, additions, and alterations involving partition walls, Fresno County expects a complete plan submittal with site, floor, electrical, elevation, structural, and energy documents. For smaller jobs that do not require plans, submit the project-specific documents listed by the County. 5. County staff review the submittal and generate invoices. Except for certain SolarAPP+ permits, the fee/payment step is handled after staff review and invoice issuance. 6. Pay fees through the portal when invoiced, then keep approved plans and the green inspection card on site and call in inspections before covering work. 7. Obtain final inspection approval; Fresno County states final inspection can occur with only painting, floor covering, and interior doors/finish incomplete.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fresno County, CA?

Typical processing time is Portal intake is usually processed within 24-48 hours after submittal, depending on queue and staffing. For majority-residential post-entitlement permits subject to AB 2234, the County says it must determine completeness within 15 days and complete review within 30 days for projects of 25 units or fewer or 60 days for 26 units or more..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fresno County, CA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet under CBC Section 105.2; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratio not over 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies if less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies meeting the County's stated limits; Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Local Fresno County additions include flagpoles and radio/TV antennas under 35 feet without receiving dishes, ground-mounted satellite dishes under 12 feet serving R-3 occupancies, transportable gypsum and fertilizer storage tanks for agricultural use, and certain detached one-story Group U accessory structures up to 240 square feet floor/column area and 380 square feet roof area. Note: Fresno County's expanded under-240-square-foot accessory-structure exemption is not automatic. The County requires an exemption application through the Citizens Portal, site plan, elevation sheet, operational statement, owner-builder disclosure or contractor license number, fee payment, and compliance with Title 15 Section 15.08.030. Additional grading review or fire-district requirements may still apply.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit portal, (559) 600-4131. Building & Safety page: https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public-Works-and-Planning/divisions-of-public-works-and-planning/development-services-division/building-safety ; portal: https://permitportal.fresnocountyca.gov Inspections must be called in by 2:30 pm on the business day before the requested inspection day..