County Building Permits

Inyo County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Inyo County, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

California Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Building & Safety division under Public Works enforces building codes in unincorporated Inyo County; county materials also note the division serves the City of Bishop. For unincorporated areas, this is the county permit authority.

Department
Inyo County Building & Safety Department
Address
377 W. Line St., Bishop, CA 93514
Phone
760-873-7857
Website
https://www.inyocounty.us/services/public-works/building-and-safety

Online Permit Portal

Open Building & Safety

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: Online or in-person

Application Process

  1. Confirm zoning and site feasibility first. Inyo County states building permits are typically reviewed by both Building & Safety and Planning, and a zoning/general plan plan-check review is part of the process.
  2. Complete the county building permit application with project address, APN, owner/contractor information, project description, and value of work.
  3. Prepare plan-check materials. County guidance says plans must be at least 18 x 24 inches, three sets must be submitted, and the package should include a site plan, topo drawing, elevations, Title 24 calculations, sewer information, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC plan pages as applicable.
  4. Submit the application and plans to Building & Safety by email, mail, or in person. County materials specifically direct building permit applications to ctruelsen@inyocounty.us, tsparrow@inyocounty.us, or jfeeney@inyocounty.us.
  5. Wait for county review. In the county housing element, Inyo says zoning/general plan plan check is about one week and ministerial new-home building permits are typically reviewed and approved in about two to three weeks.
  6. Pay assessed fees, obtain the permit, then schedule inspections through the online request form, by phone, or by email as work progresses.

Typical processing time: About 1 week for zoning/general plan plan check; about 2 to 3 weeks for a ministerial new-home building permit.

Source: Inyo County Building & Safety Department

General Requirements

Inyo County says permits are required for essentially all commercial and residential construction and specifically lists new construction, additions, remodels, utility setup, garages, sheds, storage containers, carports, patios, decks, grading for new construction, electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, reroof/stucco/siding, foundations, pools, solar, demolition, windows, and similar work. County code also makes it unlawful to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain a building or building service equipment contrary to Title 14 and the adopted technical codes.

Required Documents

  • County building permit application
  • Three plan sets on at least 18 x 24 inch paper
  • Title block with name, address, owner, APN, and contact information
  • Site plan showing distances, existing structures, street, arrows, and latitude / longitude
  • Topo drawing
  • Exterior elevations
  • Title 24 calculations
  • Sewer tie-in or system information
  • Electrical plan page
  • Plumbing plan page
  • Heating and air page
  • Cal Fire-approved fire sprinkler plan where applicable
Permit validity
The permit expires and becomes null and void if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or if construction is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.
Building code
Inyo County Code Chapter 14.08 adopts all parts of the most recent California Code of Regulations, Title 24, subject to county amendments. As of January 1, 2026, the 2025 California Building Standards Code is the statewide Title 24 edition in effect.
Owner-builder
The public application allows the owner to apply directly, but a separate owner-builder instruction sheet or declaration was not located in the county sources reviewed. Confirm with Building & Safety if you intend to pull the permit as an owner-builder.
Contractor requirements
The county application requests contractor license information, and the Building & Safety page links applicants to the California Contractors State License Board. Use a properly licensed California contractor where state law requires one.

Fees

Plan check fee
County code says engineered designs beyond conventional light-frame provisions, and all commercial structures with engineering design requirements, may be subject to plan-check review at the applicant's expense. The housing element also lists a separate Planning Department zoning review plan check of $50 for a typical residential project.
Permit fee formula
The county housing element says Building & Safety sets permit cost by the value of the work, including labor and materials, using the Engineering New Record Building Cost Index.
Penalty (no permit)
County code says if work begins before the required permit is obtained, fees are assessed to recoup Building Division staff time and materials spent mitigating the violation.
Payment note
The county posts an online Public Works payment page, but building permit fee amounts are not publicly listed there. Expect county-calculated fees before permit issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet are generally exempt under the California Residential Code permit exemption framework adopted through Title 24.
  • Fences within the standard code height limits are generally exempt.
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are generally exempt unless supporting a surcharge.
  • Water tanks supported directly on grade within standard code size / ratio limits are generally exempt.
  • Sidewalks and driveways are generally exempt.
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work are generally exempt.
  • Prefabricated swimming pools under the code depth threshold are generally exempt.
  • Swings and playground equipment are generally exempt.
  • Certain small detached decks and limited awnings are generally exempt under the residential code.

Important: Inyo County does not publish its own exemption handout on the Building & Safety page reviewed here, so exemption questions should be confirmed with the department before work starts. Even exempt work must still comply with zoning, fire, environmental health, utility, and other applicable rules.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Inspection request form (online)
  • 760-873-7857 (phone)
  • ctruelsen@inyocounty.us; tsparrow@inyocounty.us; jfeeney@inyocounty.us (email)

Typical inspection sequence: The county states permitted work must be inspected at specified stages of construction and at completion. For a typical building project, this commonly means foundation / footing, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation or nailing inspections where applicable, and final inspection, but Inyo County does not publish a universal sequence on the cited pages.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Inyo County Building & Safety Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Inyo County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
Inyo County says permits are required for essentially all commercial and residential construction and specifically lists new construction, additions, remodels, utility setup, garages, sheds, storage containers, carports, patios, decks, grading for new construction, electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, reroof/stucco/siding, foundations, pools, solar, demolition, windows, and similar work. County code also makes it unlawful to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain a building or building service equipment contrary to Title 14 and the adopted technical codes.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
Fees are calculated as: The county housing element says Building & Safety sets permit cost by the value of the work, including labor and materials, using the Engineering New Record Building Cost Index.. Plan check fee: County code says engineered designs beyond conventional light-frame provisions, and all commercial structures with engineering design requirements, may be subject to plan-check review at the applicant's expense. The housing element also lists a separate Planning Department zoning review plan check of $50 for a typical residential project..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
1. Confirm zoning and site feasibility first. Inyo County states building permits are typically reviewed by both Building & Safety and Planning, and a zoning/general plan plan-check review is part of the process. 2. Complete the county building permit application with project address, APN, owner/contractor information, project description, and value of work. 3. Prepare plan-check materials. County guidance says plans must be at least 18 x 24 inches, three sets must be submitted, and the package should include a site plan, topo drawing, elevations, Title 24 calculations, sewer information, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC plan pages as applicable. 4. Submit the application and plans to Building & Safety by email, mail, or in person. County materials specifically direct building permit applications to ctruelsen@inyocounty.us, tsparrow@inyocounty.us, or jfeeney@inyocounty.us. 5. Wait for county review. In the county housing element, Inyo says zoning/general plan plan check is about one week and ministerial new-home building permits are typically reviewed and approved in about two to three weeks. 6. Pay assessed fees, obtain the permit, then schedule inspections through the online request form, by phone, or by email as work progresses.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
Typical processing time is About 1 week for zoning/general plan plan check; about 2 to 3 weeks for a ministerial new-home building permit..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet are generally exempt under the California Residential Code permit exemption framework adopted through Title 24.; Fences within the standard code height limits are generally exempt.; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are generally exempt unless supporting a surcharge.; Water tanks supported directly on grade within standard code size / ratio limits are generally exempt.; Sidewalks and driveways are generally exempt.; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work are generally exempt.; Prefabricated swimming pools under the code depth threshold are generally exempt.; Swings and playground equipment are generally exempt.; Certain small detached decks and limited awnings are generally exempt under the residential code.. Note: Inyo County does not publish its own exemption handout on the Building & Safety page reviewed here, so exemption questions should be confirmed with the department before work starts. Even exempt work must still comply with zoning, fire, environmental health, utility, and other applicable rules.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Inyo County, CA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspection request form, 760-873-7857, ctruelsen@inyocounty.us; tsparrow@inyocounty.us; jfeeney@inyocounty.us.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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