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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Glendora
Glendora enforces the adopted California Building Standards Codes for construction regulated by those codes, including new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and regulated electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. Any work in the public right-of-way requires a separate Public Works permit, and covered construction/demolition projects must submit a Waste Management Plan.
Inference from Glendora's adoption by reference of the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code: common permit exemptions should follow the adopted CBC/CRC Section 105.2 and R105.2 baseline unless a local amendment applies.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet.
Fences not over 7 feet high.
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 height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1.
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route.
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground.
Playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
- Exempt Inference from Glendora's adoption by reference of the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code: common permit exemptions should follow the adopted CBC/CRC Section 105.2 and R105.2 baseline unless a local amendment applies.
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet.
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high.
- 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 height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1.
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route.
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground.
- Exempt Playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
Note: The City pages reviewed do not publish a separate local exemption handout, so applicants should verify exemptions with the Building Division before relying on them. Permit exemptions do not waive zoning, fire, wildland-urban interface, public right-of-way, utility, or other agency requirements.
Required documents
- Online application through Civic Access
- complete plan set and supporting PDFs
- project information table on first plan sheet
- completeness certification form
- licensed contractor declaration or owner-builder package
- fire package where applicable
- energy documentation
- structural calculations/truss docs when required
- geotechnical/civil package when required
- school district certificate for new dwellings, additions of living space, and conversions to living space
- Waste Management Plan for covered projects.
- Building code
- Glendora adopted the 2025 California Administrative, Building, Existing Building, Mechanical, Historical Building, Wildland-Urban Interface, Plumbing, Electrical, Residential, Referenced Standards, Green Building Standards, and Energy Codes, effective January 1, 2026. The City also notes Los Angeles County Fire Code amendments apply to the California Fire Code.
- Permit validity
- The current City webpages reviewed do not publish a standalone Building Division permit-expiration summary. Applicants should confirm the permit expiration and extension terms shown on the issued permit/job card and with the Building Division before permit issuance.
- Owner-builder
- Glendora requires an Owner-Builder's Declaration and Notice to Property Owner/Agent Authorization before issuing an owner-builder permit. The owner acknowledges legal and financial responsibility, limits on sale of owner-builder work, and possible employer/workers' compensation obligations. The City states it will not issue the permit until the signed notice is returned, and owner signature verification may be required.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors must certify that their California contractor license is in full force and effect, provide license number/class, Glendora business license number, and workers' compensation information. Public right-of-way work must be performed by a properly licensed contractor. Glendora's Public Works page specifically requires an "A" or "C-12" license for grading permits and an "A" or "C-8" license for driveway approaches.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No building plan review turnaround is published on the cited City pages. For inspections, the City says it aims to provide next-day inspections if requested by 4:00 p.m. on the prior business day.
- 01 Create a Civic Access account and start the permit application online. The City states building permit applications are no longer accepted by email.
- 02 Upload plans and supporting documents in unlocked PDF format. Glendora's submittal matrices require complete packages, and incomplete submittals may be rejected or not accepted into plan check.
- 03 Include all project-specific supporting items, as applicable: completeness certification form, licensed contractor declaration or owner-builder forms, energy documents, fire package, waste management plan, school district certificate, and any required engineering/civil package.
- 04 If the project includes grading, right-of-way, water meter, or other Public Works items, submit those civil/engineering documents separately to the Engineering Division; Building permits are not issued until required Engineering approvals are completed.
- 05 Pay assessed fees through the City's electronic process/portal, then schedule inspections through Civic Access once the permit is issued.
Typical processing time: No building plan review turnaround is published on the cited City pages. For inspections, the City says it aims to provide next-day inspections if requested by 4:00 p.m. on the prior business day.
Source: City of Glendora Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Glendora building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permit fee starts at $124.38 for valuation from $1 to $500. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and sewer minimum permit fees are listed at $115 each.
02
Plan check fee
Building plan check fee is 65% of the building permit fee. Additional building, MEP, and sewer plan check time is listed at $209 per hour.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are valuation-based. The fee table also shows a 5% Building Permit Surcharge for NPDES (SWPPP) inspections.
04
Trade permit fee
Building permit fee starts at $124.38 for valuation from $1 to $500. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and sewer minimum permit fees are listed at $115 each.
05
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees are assessed under the California Building Code at the hourly cost to the jurisdiction or greater as listed in the fee schedule; the same schedule also lists Building Re-inspection at $170 and Building Investigation at $315.
The master fee schedule lists a pass-through credit card processing charge for Community Development/Public Works transactions of $6.95 minimum plus a 3.2% service fee. Public Works states payment instructions are sent electronically after intake.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building inspections for current permits are scheduled in Civic Access at (online)
- (626) 657-7273 (phone)
- (626) 914-8222 (phone)
- (626) 914-8246 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- on the business day before the requested inspection date. Legacy permits issued before July 2025 can be scheduled by phone at (626) 657-7273, with day-of time confirmation at (626) 914-8222.
- Inspection hours
- Building inspection requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection date. The City says the inspection time is available after 8:00 a.m. on the inspection day. Legacy Building Division inspection hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Public Works asks for at least 24 hours' notice.
- Time windows
- Building inspection requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection date. The City says the inspection time is available after 8:00 a.m. on the inspection day. Legacy Building Division inspection hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Public Works asks for at least 24 hours' notice.
Typical sequence: The City instructs applicants to choose the applicable inspection type from Civic Access or from the job card inspection codes for older permits. Sequence varies by scope. For projects with engineering/grading components, rough grade certifications and Engineering approval may be required before related permit closeout or Building permit issuance.
Source: City of Glendora Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Glendora permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Glendora, CA? ▸
Glendora enforces the adopted California Building Standards Codes for construction regulated by those codes, including new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and regulated electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. Any work in the public right-of-way requires a separate Public Works permit, and covered construction/demolition projects must submit a Waste Management Plan.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Glendora, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Glendora, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permit fee starts at $124.38 for valuation from $1 to $500. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and sewer minimum permit fees are listed at $115 each.. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based. The fee table also shows a 5% Building Permit Surcharge for NPDES (SWPPP) inspections.. Plan check fee: Building plan check fee is 65% of the building permit fee. Additional building, MEP, and sewer plan check time is listed at $209 per hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Glendora, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Glendora, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create a Civic Access account and start the permit application online. The City states building permit applications are no longer accepted by email. 2. Upload plans and supporting documents in unlocked PDF format. Glendora's submittal matrices require complete packages, and incomplete submittals may be rejected or not accepted into plan check. 3. Include all project-specific supporting items, as applicable: completeness certification form, licensed contractor declaration or owner-builder forms, energy documents, fire package, waste management plan, school district certificate, and any required engineering/civil package. 4. If the project includes grading, right-of-way, water meter, or other Public Works items, submit those civil/engineering documents separately to the Engineering Division; Building permits are not issued until required Engineering approvals are completed. 5. Pay assessed fees through the City's electronic process/portal, then schedule inspections through Civic Access once the permit is issued.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Glendora, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Glendora, CA typically run No building plan review turnaround is published on the cited City pages. For inspections, the City says it aims to provide next-day inspections if requested by 4:00 p.m. on the prior business day.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Glendora, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Glendora, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Inference from Glendora's adoption by reference of the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code: common permit exemptions should follow the adopted CBC/CRC Section 105.2 and R105.2 baseline unless a local amendment applies.; One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet.; Fences not over 7 feet high.; 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 height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1.; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route.; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground.; Playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.. Note: The City pages reviewed do not publish a separate local exemption handout, so applicants should verify exemptions with the Building Division before relying on them. Permit exemptions do not waive zoning, fire, wildland-urban interface, public right-of-way, utility, or other agency requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Glendora, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Glendora, CA via: Building inspections for current permits are scheduled in Civic Access at, (626) 657-7273, (626) 914-8222, (626) 914-8246. on the business day before the requested inspection date. Legacy permits issued before July 2025 can be scheduled by phone at (626) 657-7273, with day-of time confirmation at (626) 914-8222..
last verified April 2026
source City of Glendora Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/glendora
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Glendora Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.