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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Susanville
Susanville requires a building permit to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, or demolish a building or structure, including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical modifications. The City FAQ also lists new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, decks and patios, garage conversions, retaining walls, window replacement, fire and wood stove replacements, roofs, and siding as examples requiring permits.
One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not exceeding 120 square feet
Fences not over 6 feet high
Oil derricks
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Window awnings meeting the City's dimensional and occupancy limits
Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not exceeding 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Window awnings meeting the City's dimensional and occupancy limits
- Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Note: The City says to call the Building Department when in doubt. Its FAQ states a double penalty applies if work requiring a permit is performed without one, and this also applies to new signs and modifications to existing business or advertising signs or signage.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Owner-builder verification if applicable
- Plan sets
- Site plans
- Fire sprinkler plans where applicable
- Energy calculations
- Truss calculations where applicable
- Structural calculations where applicable
- Outside agency approvals before issuance when required
- Building code
- Susanville Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 adopts the California Building Standards Code, 2022 Edition, including the 2022 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fire Codes with specified appendices and local amendments.
- Permit validity
- The permit becomes invalid unless work starts within 180 days after issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Extensions must be requested in writing with justifiable cause.
- Owner-builder
- The application includes owner-builder declarations for owners performing all or part of the work themselves or exclusively contracting with licensed contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- If the permit is issued to a contractor, the contractor must provide California license information, classification, workers' compensation status, and City of Susanville business license information on the application.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning and land-use compliance with the Planning Division before building plan review if the project involves a land-use approval or change of occupancy or use.
- 02 Complete the City building permit application and identify whether the permit will be issued to a licensed contractor, authorized agent, or owner-builder.
- 03 Submit the application at the Building and Planning counter at City Hall.
- 04 Provide required plans and supporting documents. For new construction, the City checklist calls for a completed application, owner-builder verification if applicable, four plan sets, three fire sprinkler plan sets, a flash drive of plans, site plans, energy calculations, and truss or structural calculations as applicable.
- 05 Pay plan review and permit fees. The City states plan check fees are 65% of the permit cost, and building permit fees are based on the City's fee schedule and construction valuation.
- 06 Obtain outside approvals required before permit issuance when applicable, including sewer connection approval, Public Works right-of-way encroachment permit, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and drive approach deposit, school fee forms, and mitigation impact fee forms.
- 07 Call the Building Division to schedule inspections during construction, then obtain final approval before occupancy.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Susanville building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$64.00 minimum building permit fee; $129.00 minimum permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits
02
Plan check fee
Generally 65% of the building permit fee; expedited plan review is $193.00; additional outsourced structural review fees may apply.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit cost is based on current construction valuation using actual contract price or current ICC valuation data, with separate fee schedule items for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing fixtures and items.
04
Trade permit fee
$129.00 minimum permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits; the fee sheet also lists a $54.00 application fee per trade.
05
Reinspection fee
$87.00
06
Penalty (no permit)
Work started without a required permit is subject to double permit fees under Municipal Code Section 15.04.150.
The fee sheet also lists SB 1473 green building fees, SMIP fees, fire department application and plan check fees, an engineering review deposit, parkland dedication fees for new residential construction, and possible additional fees in Skyline Terrace and parts of Riverside Drive.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (530) 252-5118 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: The City's inspection record lists setbacks and grading; foundation items such as footing, forms and walls, slab, and grout; groundwork and underwork items such as plumbing, electrical, underfloor and joists, and mechanical; framing items including shear nailing and hold-downs, framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and ducting, and fire sprinklers; then wall covering items such as insulation, lath or drywall, exterior plaster, and roofing, followed by finals.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Susanville permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Susanville, CA? ▸
Susanville requires a building permit to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, or demolish a building or structure, including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical modifications. The City FAQ also lists new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, decks and patios, garage conversions, retaining walls, window replacement, fire and wood stove replacements, roofs, and siding as examples requiring permits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Susanville, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Susanville, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $64.00 minimum building permit fee; $129.00 minimum permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits. Fees are calculated as: Building permit cost is based on current construction valuation using actual contract price or current ICC valuation data, with separate fee schedule items for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing fixtures and items.. Plan check fee: Generally 65% of the building permit fee; expedited plan review is $193.00; additional outsourced structural review fees may apply..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Susanville, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Susanville, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning and land-use compliance with the Planning Division before building plan review if the project involves a land-use approval or change of occupancy or use. 2. Complete the City building permit application and identify whether the permit will be issued to a licensed contractor, authorized agent, or owner-builder. 3. Submit the application at the Building and Planning counter at City Hall. 4. Provide required plans and supporting documents. For new construction, the City checklist calls for a completed application, owner-builder verification if applicable, four plan sets, three fire sprinkler plan sets, a flash drive of plans, site plans, energy calculations, and truss or structural calculations as applicable. 5. Pay plan review and permit fees. The City states plan check fees are 65% of the permit cost, and building permit fees are based on the City's fee schedule and construction valuation. 6. Obtain outside approvals required before permit issuance when applicable, including sewer connection approval, Public Works right-of-way encroachment permit, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and drive approach deposit, school fee forms, and mitigation impact fee forms. 7. Call the Building Division to schedule inspections during construction, then obtain final approval before occupancy.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Susanville, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Susanville, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not exceeding 120 square feet; Fences not over 6 feet high; Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Window awnings meeting the City's dimensional and occupancy limits; Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high. Note: The City says to call the Building Department when in doubt. Its FAQ states a double penalty applies if work requiring a permit is performed without one, and this also applies to new signs and modifications to existing business or advertising signs or signage. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Susanville, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Susanville, CA via: (530) 252-5118.
last verified April 2026
source City of Susanville Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/lassen/susanville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Susanville Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.