On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hanford
Hanford lists common residential permit-triggering work including room additions, remodeling, covered patios, sheds or storage buildings over 120 square feet, water heater replacement, water treatment equipment, furnace or air-conditioner replacement or repair, new heaters, fireplaces, or inserts, reroofing, residing or stucco, replacement or new windows, new sewer or water lines, new or extended gas piping, wood fences over 7 feet, all masonry fences or retaining walls, garage conversions, and enclosing an existing patio.
Sheds or storage buildings less than 120 square feet, with wall height of 7 feet or less and height above grade of 10 feet or less, and with no electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work
Raised wood decks less than 30 inches above adjacent grade
Wood fences less than 7 feet high
Painting, wallpapering, floor coverings, and similar finish work
Concrete driveways, sidewalks, or uncovered patios
Prefabricated swimming pools with walls entirely above adjacent grade and capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sheds or storage buildings less than 120 square feet, with wall height of 7 feet or less and height above grade of 10 feet or less, and with no electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work
- Exempt Raised wood decks less than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Wood fences less than 7 feet high
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, floor coverings, and similar finish work
- Exempt Concrete driveways, sidewalks, or uncovered patios
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools with walls entirely above adjacent grade and capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons
Note: Hanford states applicants should still contact the Planning Division before starting exempt work to verify zoning compliance. For concrete work in the public right-of-way, the city says an encroachment permit from Public Works is still required.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Project-specific permit submittal documents
- Plan-check documents
- Commercial, manufactured home, fire permit, or residential submittal checklist as applicable
- Drawing requirements for patios, residential work, or swimming pools as applicable
- Building code
- Hanford's Design Requirements & Codes page states the current adopted state codes are the 2022 California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and Energy Codes, plus California State Housing Law provisions identified there.
- Permit validity
- A building permit expires if work is not commenced within 1 year from permit issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. The Building Official may approve one written extension of up to 180 days if requested before expiration.
- Owner-builder
- The city publishes an owner-builder notice and states a permit may be signed by the legal property owner, a California licensed contractor, or an authorized agent with written authorization. Owner-builders must acknowledge responsibilities before issuance.
- Contractor requirements
- Hanford states the signature of the legal property owner or a California licensed contractor is required to issue a building permit, and directs applicants to verify licenses with CSLB.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Complete the City of Hanford building permit application form.
- 02 Gather the required submittal package for the project type, using the city's permit submittal and plan-check drawing requirement sheets.
- 03 Submit the complete package through the city's Citizen Self Service or Self-Service Portal.
- 04 Respond to any city review comments and upload revised materials if requested.
- 05 After approval, pay permit fees through the portal and proceed with inspections during construction.
- 06 Schedule required inspections through the Self-Service Portal and obtain final approval to close out the permit.
Source: City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Hanford building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
The building fee schedule repeatedly shows permit issuance charges starting at $50.00 for many permit categories; no separate universal minimum permit fee was clearly identified.
02
Plan check fee
Plan check is typically listed as a separate line item in the fee schedule. The schedule also lists additional plan review beyond the original submittal and two re-checks at $105.00 per hour.
03
Permit fee formula
Hybrid. Many permits use flat or unit-based charges by scope, square footage, or count; some categories are valuation-based, including residential remodels and miscellaneous repairs.
04
Reinspection fee
$105.00 per reinspection
05
Penalty (no permit)
$500.00 or 2 times the permit fee, whichever is greater, for work without permit
The city directs applicants to use the Self-Service or Citizen Self Service Portal for permit search and fee payment.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Self-Service Portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Portal requests are accepted until 6:30 a.m. on the day of inspection; later requests roll to the next regular business day.
- Inspection hours
- Inspections are performed between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Hanford's field inspection guide for new single-family dwellings lists a typical sequence of rough plumbing or sewer or water connection, foundation, raised floor, floor nailing, roof or shear, felt and bat, framing, insulation, sheetrock, gas test, shower pan or lath, and final inspection.
Source: City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Hanford permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Hanford, CA? ▸
Hanford lists common residential permit-triggering work including room additions, remodeling, covered patios, sheds or storage buildings over 120 square feet, water heater replacement, water treatment equipment, furnace or air-conditioner replacement or repair, new heaters, fireplaces, or inserts, reroofing, residing or stucco, replacement or new windows, new sewer or water lines, new or extended gas piping, wood fences over 7 feet, all masonry fences or retaining walls, garage conversions, and enclosing an existing patio.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Hanford, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Hanford, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is The building fee schedule repeatedly shows permit issuance charges starting at $50.00 for many permit categories; no separate universal minimum permit fee was clearly identified.. Fees are calculated as: Hybrid. Many permits use flat or unit-based charges by scope, square footage, or count; some categories are valuation-based, including residential remodels and miscellaneous repairs.. Plan check fee: Plan check is typically listed as a separate line item in the fee schedule. The schedule also lists additional plan review beyond the original submittal and two re-checks at $105.00 per hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Hanford, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Hanford, CA, follow these steps: 1. Complete the City of Hanford building permit application form. 2. Gather the required submittal package for the project type, using the city's permit submittal and plan-check drawing requirement sheets. 3. Submit the complete package through the city's Citizen Self Service or Self-Service Portal. 4. Respond to any city review comments and upload revised materials if requested. 5. After approval, pay permit fees through the portal and proceed with inspections during construction. 6. Schedule required inspections through the Self-Service Portal and obtain final approval to close out the permit.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Hanford, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Hanford, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds or storage buildings less than 120 square feet, with wall height of 7 feet or less and height above grade of 10 feet or less, and with no electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work; Raised wood decks less than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Wood fences less than 7 feet high; Painting, wallpapering, floor coverings, and similar finish work; Concrete driveways, sidewalks, or uncovered patios; Prefabricated swimming pools with walls entirely above adjacent grade and capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons. Note: Hanford states applicants should still contact the Planning Division before starting exempt work to verify zoning compliance. For concrete work in the public right-of-way, the city says an encroachment permit from Public Works is still required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Hanford, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Hanford, CA via: Self-Service Portal. Portal requests are accepted until 6:30 a.m. on the day of inspection; later requests roll to the next regular business day..
last verified April 2026
source City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/kings/hanford
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.