City of Calipatria

ICPDS states building permits are required for new construction, alterations, or additions to a building or structure, including building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, grading, demolition, and certain mobile home or mobile park work. Its guidance also says that by state law, virtually all construction, including minor modifications, requires permits of one type or another.

• Exempt Minor electrical repair work such as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare joints, and repairing drop cords
• Exempt Portable motors or appliances connected by cord and plug, temporary theater or television stage-set wiring, electrical work under 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts, and utility generation, transmission, and distribution work performed by the serving utility's own workforce

Note: ICPDS warns that virtually all construction, including minor modifications, requires some permit, so exemptions should be confirmed with staff before work starts. County ordinance says exemption from permit requirements is not authorization to violate the code or other laws, and Calipatria and ICPDS materials do not publish a broad local building-exemption list for structural work.

Building code

Calipatria's General Plan states building permits are contracted to Imperial County, which implements Title 24 provisions of the most current California Building Code for the city. ICPDS also states it follows the latest adopted codes, and the California Department of Housing and Community Development states the 2025 California Building Standards Code took effect January 1, 2026. For current submittals, applicants should confirm with ICPDS which Title 24 cycle applies to the project.

Permit validity

Under Imperial County Codified Ordinance Title 9, Division 10, a permit expires if work does not start within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after starting. No permit may remain active for more than 36 consecutive months. Renewal is generally one-half of the original total fee if the lapse does not exceed one year and plans are unchanged.

Owner-builder

ICPDS requires owner-builder forms where applicable. Its building permit guide says owner-builder means the owner is doing all work and has no employees; if an owner-builder permit is issued and ICPDS discovers other people working at the site, the permit will be revoked and a new permit will be charged at double the original fee.

Contractor requirements

ICPDS guidance says contractors must be licensed in California, must sign the application, and must have workers' compensation if required.

Source: Imperial County Planning & Development Services, Building Division ↗

1. 01
   Confirm zoning and local land use approvals with the City of Calipatria Planning Department before applying; ICPDS states Calipatria is a contract city and that the city provides its own zoning review.
2. 02
   Download and complete the ICPDS building permit application, site plan, and required owner forms from the ICPDS forms page.
3. 03
   Prepare project plans and supporting documents. ICPDS lists plans, structural details, and Title 24 energy documents for additions and new construction, with other approvals required depending on the project.
4. 04
   Submit the package with the required deposit or fee payable to the County of Imperial. ICPDS indicates permits may be submitted or received at its El Centro office; for Calipatria, building permit applications are also available at City Hall.
5. 05
   Respond to plan check comments or requests for outside-agency approvals if issued.
6. 06
   After permit issuance, keep approved plans on site and call for inspections by 4:00 PM the business day before the inspection is needed.

Typical processing time: ICPDS says permits take a minimum of 2 weeks to process; additional time may be needed for department or agency approvals and rechecks. Eligible residential rooftop solar permits submitted through SolarAPP+ are processed within 3 business days.

Source: Imperial County Planning & Development Services, Building Division ↗

ICPDS requires a deposit with each application submittal and accepts check, debit card, credit card, and money order. Card payments incur a 2.39% service fee.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• (442) 265-1736, then press 1 or extension 1744 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be called in before 4:00 PM on the business day before the inspection is needed.

Inspection hours

If a specific time is absolutely necessary, applicants must speak with the inspector between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM on the day of inspection.

Typical sequence: Request inspection with permit number, project address, desired date, permit-holder name, phone number, and inspection type; keep the permit and approved plans on site; obtain required progress inspections and final inspection before concealment or use.

Source: Imperial County Planning & Development Services, Building Division ↗