Merced County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The county Building & Safety Division issues permits and performs inspections for construction in the unincorporated areas of Merced County.

Department

Merced County Community and Economic Development, Building & Safety Division

Address

2222 M Street, 2nd Floor, Merced, CA 95340

Phone

(209) 385-7477; (209) 385-7654

Email

Buildings@countyofmerced.com , permits@countyofmerced.com

Website

https://www.countyofmerced.com/639/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Merced County. The county Building & Safety Division does not issue permits for incorporated cities.
2. Confirm zoning and land-use constraints first and obtain any required land-use approval where applicable.
3. Prepare the application package with applicant information, contractor information including license and bonding, project valuation, size, proposed use, structure type, and plans or submittal documents.
4. Submit plans and application materials through the county portal, by email through staff-assisted intake, or in person where accepted.
5. Pay plan check and related routing fees. The county collects planning, building plan check, roads, environmental health, and fire plan check fees as applicable and routes the plans for review.
6. Respond to corrections and resubmit revised plans or documents if needed.
7. After plan approval and payment of all required fees, obtain permit issuance and keep approved plans and permit card available at the site for inspections.
8. Request inspections by phone or through the county online portal.

Typical processing time: Initial plan check is typically completed within 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of complete plans, documents, and payment of plan check fees. Subsequent plan checks may require up to an additional 2 weeks depending on workload.

Source: Merced County Community and Economic Development, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Merced County's permit guide states that all new construction, remodels, additions, alterations, repairs, improvements, changes in use, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, and demolitions require a building permit unless specifically exempt. County code also prohibits erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, removing, converting, or demolishing a building or structure without first obtaining the required permit.

Required Documents

• Owner and property information
• Contractor name, license, and bonding information
• Project valuation, size, proposed use, and structure type
• Plans and submittal documents
• Scaled plan sheets with title block information
• APN and project address
• Site plan
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Utility layout
• Water or sewer district can and will serve letter where required
• Septic review materials where required
• Other project-specific approvals such as environmental health, flood, or school-fee documentation

Permit validity

Applications submitted for plan review for which no permit is issued and on which no action is taken by the applicant for 90 calendar days are deemed canceled by limitation. Merced County Code also states an issued permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 calendar days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 calendar days after commencement, subject to limited extensions for good cause.

Building code

2022 California Building Code, California Residential Code, and related county-adopted 2022 Title 24 codes for construction in unincorporated Merced County

Owner-builder

The county publishes an owner-builder advisory explaining owner-builder roles and risks. With limited exceptions, only the property owner or a licensed contractor may obtain a building permit.

Contractor requirements

The county guide requires contractor information including contractor name, license, and bonding as part of the application package.

Fees

Plan check fee

Required. The county collects a building plan check fee plus applicable planning, roads, environmental health, and fire plan check fees before routing plans for review.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. County code states permit fees are established by Board of Supervisors resolution, and the permit guide confirms project-specific fees can include planning, building plan check, roads, environmental health, fire, and school impact fees as applicable.

Reinspection fee

$77.00 if the job is not ready or accessible, or if the plans and permit are not available at the job site

Penalty (no permit)

County code authorizes investigation fees ranging from 1x to 5x the normal permit fee depending on repeat work started without a permit within 5 years.

Payment note

The county portal supports fee payment, but the portal stated that e-check payment was temporarily unavailable and that applicants preferring to pay by check should mail it with the permit or license number or pay in person.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached one-story residential accessory buildings such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses when roof area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, there is no plumbing, mechanical, or electrical, and only one exempt shed exists per parcel
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Masonry, concrete, or retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons, supported directly on grade, with height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1, except fire-protection tanks
• Prefabricated above-grade pools and spas accessory to one- and two-family dwellings or lodging houses when capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, with no roof framing and no basement or story below
• Certain residential awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and entirely supported by exterior walls
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets or scenery
• Roof-mounted antennas, grade-mounted antennas not over 30 feet high, and flag poles not over 30 feet high
• Interior finish work such as cases, counters, partitions not over 69 inches high, painting, papering, floor coverings, and cabinet work
• Roof-covering repair or replacement not exceeding 100 square feet where no structural members are replaced
• Repairs using similar materials with aggregate labor and material value not over $1,000 if there is no addition, change, or modification to construction, exits, permanent fixtures, or equipment
• Replacement of windows with like products when existing framing is not modified
• Minor electrical work such as replacing fuses, switches, breakers, lamp holders, ballasts, or receptacles with same-size or same-type equipment
• Certain plumbing repair work such as clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, replacing exposed traps, and replacing existing residential plumbing fixtures without changing plumbing configuration
• Certain HVAC or refrigeration servicing such as temperature controls, leak repair, refrigerant recharge, and private-residence ice machine servicing within the listed exemptions

Important: Even when building work is exempt, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits may still be required, and exempt work is not exempt from other county ordinances, state or federal law, or other public-agency requirements. Work in the public right-of-way may require an encroachment permit, and driveway curb cuts always require a permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Merced County Licensing and Permitting Portal (online)
• (209) 385-7477 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made before 4:00 PM on the business day before the inspection is needed.

Time windows

Applicants may call the inspector between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on the inspection day to ask whether a specific time can be accommodated.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for wood-framed work includes underslab or foundation-related inspection, underfloor framing and rough plumbing, roof nail or shear and hold-down inspections, framing with rough wiring, heating ducts, and plumbing top-out, insulation, lath or exterior coverings where applicable, drywall or sheetrock, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2022 California Building Code, California Residential Code, and related county-adopted 2022 Title 24 codes for construction in unincorporated Merced County
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit and inspection information
• Building permit guide
• Minimum plan information required
• Permit technical staff
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Merced County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

Merced County's permit guide states that all new construction, remodels, additions, alterations, repairs, improvements, changes in use, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, and demolitions require a building permit unless specifically exempt. County code also prohibits erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, removing, converting, or demolishing a building or structure without first obtaining the required permit.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

Fees are calculated as: Mixed. County code states permit fees are established by Board of Supervisors resolution, and the permit guide confirms project-specific fees can include planning, building plan check, roads, environmental health, fire, and school impact fees as applicable.. Plan check fee: Required. The county collects a building plan check fee plus applicable planning, roads, environmental health, and fire plan check fees before routing plans for review..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Merced County. The county Building & Safety Division does not issue permits for incorporated cities. 2. Confirm zoning and land-use constraints first and obtain any required land-use approval where applicable. 3. Prepare the application package with applicant information, contractor information including license and bonding, project valuation, size, proposed use, structure type, and plans or submittal documents. 4. Submit plans and application materials through the county portal, by email through staff-assisted intake, or in person where accepted. 5. Pay plan check and related routing fees. The county collects planning, building plan check, roads, environmental health, and fire plan check fees as applicable and routes the plans for review. 6. Respond to corrections and resubmit revised plans or documents if needed. 7. After plan approval and payment of all required fees, obtain permit issuance and keep approved plans and permit card available at the site for inspections. 8. Request inspections by phone or through the county online portal.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

Typical processing time is Initial plan check is typically completed within 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of complete plans, documents, and payment of plan check fees. Subsequent plan checks may require up to an additional 2 weeks depending on workload..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

The following work is generally exempt: Detached one-story residential accessory buildings such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses when roof area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, there is no plumbing, mechanical, or electrical, and only one exempt shed exists per parcel; Fences not over 7 feet high; Masonry, concrete, or retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons, supported directly on grade, with height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1, except fire-protection tanks; Prefabricated above-grade pools and spas accessory to one- and two-family dwellings or lodging houses when capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons; Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, with no roof framing and no basement or story below; Certain residential awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and entirely supported by exterior walls; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets or scenery; Roof-mounted antennas, grade-mounted antennas not over 30 feet high, and flag poles not over 30 feet high; Interior finish work such as cases, counters, partitions not over 69 inches high, painting, papering, floor coverings, and cabinet work; Roof-covering repair or replacement not exceeding 100 square feet where no structural members are replaced; Repairs using similar materials with aggregate labor and material value not over $1,000 if there is no addition, change, or modification to construction, exits, permanent fixtures, or equipment; Replacement of windows with like products when existing framing is not modified; Minor electrical work such as replacing fuses, switches, breakers, lamp holders, ballasts, or receptacles with same-size or same-type equipment; Certain plumbing repair work such as clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, replacing exposed traps, and replacing existing residential plumbing fixtures without changing plumbing configuration; Certain HVAC or refrigeration servicing such as temperature controls, leak repair, refrigerant recharge, and private-residence ice machine servicing within the listed exemptions. Note: Even when building work is exempt, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits may still be required, and exempt work is not exempt from other county ordinances, state or federal law, or other public-agency requirements. Work in the public right-of-way may require an encroachment permit, and driveway curb cuts always require a permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Merced County, CA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Merced County Licensing and Permitting Portal, (209) 385-7477. Inspection requests must be made before 4:00 PM on the business day before the inspection is needed..