City of Duarte

Duarte says a building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, remodel, repair, convert, move, or demolish any building or structure, including garages, patios, sheds, pools, retaining walls, tenant improvements, roof replacement or repair, sign installation, stucco repair, window installation/removal/replacement, drywall replacement, fire-damage repairs, solar PV installation, adding/removing interior walls, and enclosing patios. Separate plumbing, sewer, electrical, mechanical, drainage, grading, and landscaping permits/approvals may also be required.

• Exempt Small sheds up to 120 square feet and no taller than 8 feet do not need a building permit, but Duarte still requires city approval for location and architectural design.
• Exempt New or replacement non-retaining walls/fences do not require a building permit, but Duarte still requires Planning Division site plan approval for height, location, length, and materials.
• Exempt Residential driveway widening does not require a permit on private property, but Duarte says Planning Division approval is still required; changes in the driveway approach in the public right-of-way require separate Public Works review/right-of-way permit.
• Exempt Minor work such as re-roofs, water heater replacements, electrical service panel upgrades, HVAC replacements, and like-for-like window replacements typically do not require plan submittal; this is not the same as permit exemption.

Note: Duarte warns that zoning, use, height, location, materials, and design rules may apply even where a building permit is not required, and other department reviews may still be needed.

Building code

Duarte states Building & Safety enforces the California Building Code and links to the city-adopted codes in Municode and the California Building Standards Commission. Duarte also notes a local amendment to Plumbing Code Section 604.2 requiring Type K copper tube when copper water piping is used.

Permit validity

Duarte says permits are valid for 180 days and expire if work is not started within 180 days or if work is suspended for 180 days after start or last inspection. New permit fees apply if the permit expires.

Owner-builder

A homeowner improving his or her principal residence may obtain a permit if the owner meets the owner-builder declaration conditions on the permit application and Property Owner Acknowledgement form.

Contractor requirements

Duarte says a General Building contractor with a Class B license may obtain a building permit. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits may be issued to qualifying specialty contractors, or to a general contractor doing qualifying multi-trade work, or to an eligible homeowner.

1. 01
   Confirm zoning and project requirements with Duarte Community Development / Planning before starting. Duarte says Planning is often the first stop and advises calling before construction, repairs, or improvements. Sources: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/planning and https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/faqs
2. 02
   Prepare plans. At minimum, Duarte says many projects need a site plan and/or floor plan; more complex projects may require full plan check drawings. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/faqs
3. 03
   Submit plans and permit application in person at the Community Development counter. Duarte says general plans can be submitted at the counter only, not online and not by email. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-safety-copy
4. 04
   Pay plan check fees if required. Duarte says plan check fees are valuation-based, and the first plan check usually takes one to two weeks. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-safety-copy
5. 05
   Obtain outside agency clearances if required. Duarte FAQ says applicants are responsible for submittal and follow-up with other agencies identified by the plan checker; battery backup projects must go to LA County Fire before city submittal. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/faqs
6. 06
   After approval, pay permit fees and receive permit issuance. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-safety-copy
7. 07
   Schedule inspections by phone at least one day in advance and complete all required phase inspections plus final inspection. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/faqs

Typical processing time: Duarte says first plan check usually takes 1 to 2 weeks; some plans may be approved over the counter.

Source: City of Duarte Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division ↗

Duarte says permit fees are paid once plans are approved and before permit issuance. For fee estimates, review the permit application and call (626) 357-7931 ext. 235. The city adopted an updated Comprehensive User Fee Schedule on January 27, 2026; fees for permit-related items took effect March 30, 2026.

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

• Duarte specifically says not to schedule SolarAPP+ inspections through Permit Center. Source (online)

Inspection hours

Building inspection hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Building inspector/plan checker counter availability is Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 10 AM. Source: https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-safety-copy and https://www.cityofduarte.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/faqs

Typical sequence: Duarte requires inspections for all permits, often at each major phase of construction, followed by a final inspection to close out the permit.