City of San Dimas

San Dimas states no building or structure may be constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless a permit is first obtained from the Building Official. The city also separately requires electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits for installation, alteration, repair, replacement, extension, or remodeling of those systems.

• Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Exempt Fences or block walls less than 6 feet in height, measured from top of footing
• Exempt Other work may be exempt only if it falls within the city handout examples and does not involve structural, life-safety, accessibility, or utility-system changes

Note: The city handout is only a general guide. The same handout lists many commonly permitted items including remodels, repairs, demolition, decks, patio covers, reroofing, siding/stucco, window and door replacements, water heater changeouts, HVAC work, electrical alterations, shower/tub enclosure replacements, and water/sewer/gas line work. Verify project-specific exemptions with Building & Safety.

Building code

City sources indicate San Dimas uses the California code cycle adopted by local ordinance; the online permit center states that beginning January 1, 2026, permit applications must use the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Existing Building, and Green Building Standards codes. The codes page also references the prior 2022 California codes.

Permit validity

Work must begin and receive an inspection within 180 days of permit issuance, and an approved inspection must occur every 180 days to keep the permit active.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit the city Owner-Builder Declaration. The form cites California Business and Professions Code section 7044, including the rule that improvements cannot be intended or offered for sale and that if sold within one year, the owner-builder bears the burden of proving the work was not done for sale.

Contractor requirements

A properly licensed California contractor may obtain the permit. The city homeowner guide says contractors must provide identification, current California State Contractor's License, current City Business License, proof of valid workers' compensation insurance, and a letter of authorization if the applicant is not the license holder. The city also requires a signed Licensed Contractor Declaration.

1. 01
   Confirm whether the work needs a permit using the city permit guide and project handouts. Most construction, alteration, repair, replacement, addition, demolition, or system changes require a permit. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/when_do_i_need_a_permit.php and https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Permits_Needed.pdf?t=202507011003290
2. 02
   Prepare the correct application package. San Dimas publishes separate combo, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroof, solar, revision, owner-builder, and contractor declaration forms plus trade-specific handouts. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/forms___handouts.php
3. 03
   Submit through the Accela portal or coordinate with Building & Safety for counter/in-person handling where applicable. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/online_permit_center.php
4. 04
   Pay plan check and permit fees after intake/review. The fee schedule states building permit fees are valuation based, with plan check and issuance fees added. Source: https://files.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Administrative%20Services/Finance/Schedule%20of%20Fees%20and%20Charges/FEE%20SCHEDULE%2025-26%20ADOPTED.pdf
5. 05
   Respond to correction comments if the city requests revisions, then obtain permit issuance before starting work. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/building-plan-review-process.pdf?t=202507011003240
6. 06
   Post the job card, call for required inspections, and obtain final approval to close out the permit. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Homeowners-guideto-the-building-permit-process.pdf?t=202507011003270

Typical processing time: The city homeowner guide gives sample plan review times of about 10 to 15 working days for room additions under 500 square feet and 15 to 20 working days for larger room additions, second-floor additions, and small houses. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Homeowners-guideto-the-building-permit-process.pdf?t=202507011003270

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

Fees are tied to the adopted annual city fee schedule and are typically assessed after intake/review through the city permitting workflow. Confirm exact totals with Building & Safety before submittal because multiple surcharges and agency review fees can apply.

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

• San Dimas publishes an online inspection/report link at (online)
• 909-394-6260 (phone)

Time windows

The homeowner guide says no work is permitted on Sundays and holidays. The inspection page should be checked for any current daily scheduling windows because the city site publishes inspection handling there.

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, job card posting, then inspections at applicable stages followed by final inspection approval.