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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Mendocino County
Unless exempted, a permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, occupying, removing, converting, or demolishing a building or structure in the unincorporated area of the county.
One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet, except storm shelters
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratio not exceeding 2 to 1
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and playground equipment
Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support
Detached decks up to 200 square feet that are not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the required exit door
Minor listed electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs described on the county Building Division page
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet, except storm shelters
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratio not exceeding 2 to 1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support
- Exempt Detached decks up to 200 square feet that are not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the required exit door
- Exempt Minor listed electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs described on the county Building Division page
Note: The county relies on CBC section 105.2 and California Residential Code exemptions. The page notes some otherwise exempt small accessory structures may still be regulated by section 710A. Work that falls outside the listed exemption details still requires permits.
Required documents
- Building Permit Application Form
- Site/plot plan for over-the-counter permits
- Plans for non-over-the-counter permits
- Title 24 energy compliance for conditioned space if applicable
- Engineering calculations with wet signature if applicable
- Erosion and sediment plans for projects disturbing less than one acre
- Applicable outside approvals such as fire, air quality, recycling, deed, sewer, water, Brooktrails, or Cal Fire materials
- Building code
- Mendocino County's county code page states Ordinance 4553 adopted the 2025 editions of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations effective under county law, including the California Administrative Code, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Wildland-Urban Interface, Historical Building, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards codes, with local amendments to Title 18.
- Permit validity
- The first inspection must be scheduled within 1 year after permit issuance. After that, an approved inspection is required within 180 days of the previous inspection until final approval. A written 180-day extension request may be submitted before expiration; expired permits require reinstatement fees.
- Owner-builder
- The county accepts permit applications from the property owner as an owner-builder, a California licensed and bonded contractor, or an authorized agent for either.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors submitting permit applications must be licensed and bonded through the State of California.
Source: Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: The department states current plan check takes 6-8 weeks. The eTRAKiT portal also states staff review online applications within 5 working days and contact the applicant with questions if needed.
- 01 Confirm whether the project needs a permit under Mendocino County Code section 18.08.010 and the county's listed CBC/CRC exemptions.
- 02 Prepare a complete Building Permit Application Form. For over-the-counter permits, submit the application and one 8 1/2 x 11 inch plot/site plan.
- 03 For other projects, submit the same items plus plans and any project-specific supporting documents, such as Title 24 energy forms, engineering calculations, erosion/sediment plans, Cal Fire approval, or district approvals if applicable.
- 04 Submit the application either in person at the Ukiah or Fort Bragg office or online through eTRAKiT. Online applicants need an eTRAKiT account.
- 05 Respond to correction notices or upload revisions/rechecks in eTRAKiT and separately notify the department by phone or email after uploading revisions.
- 06 Wait for staff notice that the permit is approved and ready to issue; work cannot begin until issuance.
- 07 After issuance, schedule inspections by phone or through eTRAKiT, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval.
Typical processing time: The department states current plan check takes 6-8 weeks. The eTRAKiT portal also states staff review online applications within 5 working days and contact the applicant with questions if needed.
Source: Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective June 21, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$183 minimum permit or demolition fee, plus applicable add-on fees
02
Plan check fee
Plan review fee is 75% of the building permit fee; if the county administers the California Fire Code, plan review fee is 100% of the building permit fee. Additional plan review is staff time times weighted rate.
03
Permit fee formula
Primary building permit fees are valuation-based under the county master fee schedule. Examples shown in the June 21, 2025 Planning and Building Services fee schedule include $23.67 for valuation from $1-$500, scaling upward by valuation tier; issuance fee is $110; records management, education, general plan maintenance, building standards, SMIP, and other add-on fees also apply. The county notes eTRAKiT application fees are only part of the total permit cost and other departments may add fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee $86. Reinstatement or extension fee $177 plus $86 for each remaining inspection on a reinstated issued permit.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Violation/penalty fee is pursuant to Mendocino County Code section 18.08.030 at 1X, 2X, or 3X.
The county states permit applications, permit issuance, and payments are unavailable after 4:30 p.m. It also states corrected fees and any balance due must be collected at permit issuance, and incomplete applications are returned.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective June 21, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Mendocino County eTRAKiT (online)
- Ukiah automated inspection line: (707) 234-6650 (phone)
- Fort Bragg automated inspection line: (707) 961-2677 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 3:00 p.m. the day before for phone requests.
- Inspection hours
- Inspection requests by phone are accepted during and after office hours.
- Time windows
- Morning or afternoon windows can only be verified by calling between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the inspection day or checking the website after 5:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: County inspectors perform at least one inspection on every issued permit, with additional inspections during project stages as needed, and final approval is required to complete the permit.
Source: Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Mendocino County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
Unless exempted, a permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, occupying, removing, converting, or demolishing a building or structure in the unincorporated area of the county.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $183 minimum permit or demolition fee, plus applicable add-on fees. Fees are calculated as: Primary building permit fees are valuation-based under the county master fee schedule. Examples shown in the June 21, 2025 Planning and Building Services fee schedule include $23.67 for valuation from $1-$500, scaling upward by valuation tier; issuance fee is $110; records management, education, general plan maintenance, building standards, SMIP, and other add-on fees also apply. The county notes eTRAKiT application fees are only part of the total permit cost and other departments may add fees.. Plan check fee: Plan review fee is 75% of the building permit fee; if the county administers the California Fire Code, plan review fee is 100% of the building permit fee. Additional plan review is staff time times weighted rate..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project needs a permit under Mendocino County Code section 18.08.010 and the county's listed CBC/CRC exemptions. 2. Prepare a complete Building Permit Application Form. For over-the-counter permits, submit the application and one 8 1/2 x 11 inch plot/site plan. 3. For other projects, submit the same items plus plans and any project-specific supporting documents, such as Title 24 energy forms, engineering calculations, erosion/sediment plans, Cal Fire approval, or district approvals if applicable. 4. Submit the application either in person at the Ukiah or Fort Bragg office or online through eTRAKiT. Online applicants need an eTRAKiT account. 5. Respond to correction notices or upload revisions/rechecks in eTRAKiT and separately notify the department by phone or email after uploading revisions. 6. Wait for staff notice that the permit is approved and ready to issue; work cannot begin until issuance. 7. After issuance, schedule inspections by phone or through eTRAKiT, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA typically run The department states current plan check takes 6-8 weeks. The eTRAKiT portal also states staff review online applications within 5 working days and contact the applicant with questions if needed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet, except storm shelters; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratio not exceeding 2 to 1; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment; Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support; Detached decks up to 200 square feet that are not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the required exit door; Minor listed electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs described on the county Building Division page. Note: The county relies on CBC section 105.2 and California Residential Code exemptions. The page notes some otherwise exempt small accessory structures may still be regulated by section 710A. Work that falls outside the listed exemption details still requires permits. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Mendocino County, CA via: Mendocino County eTRAKiT, Ukiah automated inspection line: (707) 234-6650, Fort Bragg automated inspection line: (707) 961-2677. 3:00 p.m. the day before for phone requests..
last verified April 2026
source Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/mendocino/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.