Unincorporated Merced County

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.

• 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
• Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
• Exempt Masonry, concrete, or retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
• Exempt Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons, supported directly on grade, with height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1, except fire-protection tanks
• Exempt Prefabricated above-grade pools and spas accessory to one- and two-family dwellings or lodging houses when capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, with no roof framing and no basement or story below
• Exempt Certain residential awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and entirely supported by exterior walls
• Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets or scenery
• Exempt Roof-mounted antennas, grade-mounted antennas not over 30 feet high, and flag poles not over 30 feet high
• Exempt Interior finish work such as cases, counters, partitions not over 69 inches high, painting, papering, floor coverings, and cabinet work
• Exempt Roof-covering repair or replacement not exceeding 100 square feet where no structural members are replaced
• Exempt 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
• Exempt Replacement of windows with like products when existing framing is not modified
• Exempt Minor electrical work such as replacing fuses, switches, breakers, lamp holders, ballasts, or receptacles with same-size or same-type equipment
• Exempt Certain plumbing repair work such as clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, replacing exposed traps, and replacing existing residential plumbing fixtures without changing plumbing configuration
• Exempt 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.

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Merced County. The county Building & Safety Division does not issue permits for incorporated cities.
2. 02
   Confirm zoning and land-use constraints first and obtain any required land-use approval where applicable.
3. 03
   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. 04
   Submit plans and application materials through the county portal, by email through staff-assisted intake, or in person where accepted.
5. 05
   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. 06
   Respond to corrections and resubmit revised plans or documents if needed.
7. 07
   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. 08
   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 ↗

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

• 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 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.

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