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§ CA Modoc County
City building permits

City of Alturas

How to apply for a building permit in City of Alturas, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Alturas Building & Safety

Street address
200 W. North Street, Alturas, CA 96101
Coverage
Building permits for property inside the incorporated City of Alturas are handled through the City's Building & Safety office. City planning approvals may also be required for some projects, and the posted building permit application authorizes county representatives to enter for inspections and references compliance with county ordinances, indicating City/Modoc County coordination.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Alturas

The City application cites permits for work to construct, alter, improve, demolish, or repair a structure.

Note: No City of Alturas building-permit exemption list was identified on the official City Building page or in the posted building permit application. Confirm any claimed exemption directly with City Building & Safety before starting work. Separate City planning approvals may still be required even if a building permit is not.

Required documents
  • Building permit application
  • APN
  • Project address
  • Owner information
  • Description of work
  • Project valuation
  • Contractor or owner-builder declaration
  • Workers' compensation declaration
  • Lending-agency information
  • General information form for Site Plan review where required
  • Site plan for Site Plan review where required
  • Elevation drawings for Site Plan review where required
  • Materials board for Site Plan review where required
Building code
City materials require compliance with state laws relating to building construction. At minimum, California Title 24 applies statewide; local Modoc-area guidance also references Title 24 energy standards and California Building Code compliance. No separate current Alturas building-code adoption ordinance or local amendment posting was identified on the official City site during this research.
Permit validity
No City-specific building permit expiration rule was identified on the official City site. For related local practice, Modoc County's published building procedures state permits expire if work is not commenced within 365 days after issuance and an approved inspection is not obtained, or if more than 365 days pass between approved inspections. Confirm with City Building & Safety before filing.
Owner-builder
The City application includes an owner-builder declaration under Business and Professions Code section 7044 and warns that an owner-builder generally may not legally sell a structure they built unless it was constructed entirely by licensed contractors, except for a qualifying personal residence.
Contractor requirements
The applicant must either provide a California licensed contractor declaration or claim an exemption. The application cites Business and Professions Code section 7031.5 and warns of civil penalties for improper exemption claims.

Source: City of Alturas Building & Safety ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: No City building permit processing time was posted. Where Site Plan review is required, the City says that permit typically takes about one month because it goes to the Planning Commission.

  1. 01
    Contact City of Alturas Building & Safety at (530) 233-2512 or dbudmark@cityofalturas.us to confirm submittal expectations and whether separate planning review is needed.
  2. 02
    Complete the City of Alturas Building Permit Application with the APN, project address, owner information, work description, valuation, contractor or owner-builder declaration, workers' compensation declaration, and lending-agency information. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  3. 03
    If the project is a new or substantially improved commercial, industrial, or high-density residential project, call the City Clerk at (530) 233-2512 to arrange a consultation with the City Planner and submit the required planning materials and fees for Site Plan review.
  4. 04
    Submit the completed permit package to the City. No online public intake portal was identified on the official site.
  5. 05
    After permit issuance, arrange required inspections. The local Modoc County published workflow used in this area shows inspection scheduling through the office and a standard sequence of foundation, rough-in/4-way, and final inspection.

Typical processing time: No City building permit processing time was posted. Where Site Plan review is required, the City says that permit typically takes about one month because it goes to the Planning Commission.

Source: City of Alturas Building & Safety ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Alturas building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
The City building application requires the applicant to state valuation, but the City does not publish a building fee formula on the Building page. Separately, the City's planning fee schedule lists Site Plan Review for a new or remodeled building as $675 when required.

For Site Plan review, the City instruction sheet says the fee is $675 and checks should be made payable to City of Alturas. No separate City building-permit payment instructions were identified online.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (530) 233-2512 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: The local published Modoc County workflow shows foundation, rough-in/4-way, and final inspection as the minimum sequence for new dwellings. Because the City application authorizes county representatives to inspect, confirm the exact sequence for the project at permit issuance.

Source: City of Alturas Building & Safety ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Alturas permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Alturas, CA?
The City application cites permits for work to construct, alter, improve, demolish, or repair a structure.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Alturas, CA?
Building permit fees in Alturas, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: The City building application requires the applicant to state valuation, but the City does not publish a building fee formula on the Building page. Separately, the City's planning fee schedule lists Site Plan Review for a new or remodeled building as $675 when required..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Alturas, CA?
To apply for a building permit in Alturas, CA, follow these steps: 1. Contact City of Alturas Building & Safety at (530) 233-2512 or dbudmark@cityofalturas.us to confirm submittal expectations and whether separate planning review is needed. 2. Complete the City of Alturas Building Permit Application with the APN, project address, owner information, work description, valuation, contractor or owner-builder declaration, workers' compensation declaration, and lending-agency information. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 3. If the project is a new or substantially improved commercial, industrial, or high-density residential project, call the City Clerk at (530) 233-2512 to arrange a consultation with the City Planner and submit the required planning materials and fees for Site Plan review. 4. Submit the completed permit package to the City. No online public intake portal was identified on the official site. 5. After permit issuance, arrange required inspections. The local Modoc County published workflow used in this area shows inspection scheduling through the office and a standard sequence of foundation, rough-in/4-way, and final inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Alturas, CA?
Building permit processing times in Alturas, CA typically run No City building permit processing time was posted. Where Site Plan review is required, the City says that permit typically takes about one month because it goes to the Planning Commission.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Alturas, CA?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Alturas, CA via: (530) 233-2512.
last verified April 2026 source City of Alturas Building & Safety ↗ entry id permits/california/modoc/alturas

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Alturas Building & Safety before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Modoc County.

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