On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Mammoth Lakes
The Town of Mammoth Lakes requires a building permit for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, remodels, plumbing, electrical work, demolition, spa installs, solar panel and battery storage installs, reroofs, siding replacement, decking replacement, woodstove and fireplace installs, and other work not exempt under California Building Code section 105.2.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
Fences other than swimming pool barriers not over 7 feet high
Oil derricks
Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground
Playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Certain window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies
Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work listed in the Town's exemption handout, such as portable appliances, minor repair work, clearing stoppages, and some like-for-like repairs that do not make equipment unsafe
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences other than swimming pool barriers not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground
- Exempt Playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies
- Exempt Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work listed in the Town's exemption handout, such as portable appliances, minor repair work, clearing stoppages, and some like-for-like repairs that do not make equipment unsafe
Note: Exemptions do not authorize work that violates code or other laws. Emergency repairs still require the permit application by the next working business day.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Project information
- Plans
- Structural calculations
- Soils reports where applicable
- Title 24 documents
- Special inspection and testing agreement where applicable
- Job-specific checklists
- Supporting documents required for the project scope
- Building code
- Current Town handouts and January 6, 2026 Building Division code interpretation memos state the Town is on the 2025 California Building Code Standards cycle, including the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code.
- Permit validity
- Permit applications expire after 180 days. Issued permits are valid for 3 years so long as they remain active, with work or inspections performed no more than 1 year apart.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may sign for permits if they submit the Owner/Builder Declaration. If an agent will sign for an owner-builder permit, the Town requires an Authorization of Agent form and owner verification. The Town will not issue the permit until the owner has read, initialed, signed, and returned the required owner-builder form.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors signing permits must hold a current California State License of the correct classification for the work. The Town states general contractors cannot sign for limited-scope specialty permits unless the job legally involves at least two specialties; only property owners or properly licensed contractors may sign the permit.
Source: Town of Mammoth Lakes Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Limited-scope permits can often be issued within 24 hours; initial plan review is typically 10 to 14 business days; successive reviews are typically 5 to 7 business days; deck repair review is approximately 2 to 6 weeks; and a new single-family residence can take 6 months to more than a year through plan review.
- 01 Download the Town of Mammoth Lakes building permit application and any job-specific forms from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page.
- 02 Prepare a complete electronic submittal. The Town requires the permit application for all submittals and only accepts complete submittals. Depending on scope, this can include plans, structural calculations, project information, reroof or siding forms, flue certification, EV forms, special inspection forms, and other supporting documents.
- 03 Email the complete electronic package to buildingtech@townofmammothlakes.ca.gov.
- 04 If the project also needs Planning or Engineering review, the Building Division routes it internally. If outside-agency approvals are required, the applicant must obtain them directly. The Town specifically notes common approvals from the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District and Mammoth Community Water District, and permits are not issued until proof of required outside approvals is submitted.
- 05 Respond to plan review comments if the project requires review. The Town says initial plan review typically takes 10 to 14 business days and successive reviews typically take 5 to 7 business days. Minor limited-scope permits may be issued on an expedited basis and many can be issued within 24 hours.
- 06 Pay fees when prompted and sign the permit document. The Town FAQ states the permit is not issued unless it is also signed by the Building Official or a representative.
- 07 Receive the permit packet when processed and ready for pickup, then schedule inspections by online form or phone as work progresses.
Typical processing time: Limited-scope permits can often be issued within 24 hours; initial plan review is typically 10 to 14 business days; successive reviews are typically 5 to 7 business days; deck repair review is approximately 2 to 6 weeks; and a new single-family residence can take 6 months to more than a year through plan review.
Source: Town of Mammoth Lakes Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Mammoth Lakes building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$45 for some limited-scope permits and reroofs under 5 squares; $225 is the minimum fee in the Building Division valuation table for alterations, repairs, and remodels valued from $0 to $10,000.
02
Plan check fee
Additional plan review beyond three plan checks is charged at $90 per hour for in-house review or at the outside plan check firm's hourly rate if outsourced. Not all permits go into the formal plan check queue.
03
Permit fee formula
New structures and additions are based on the ICC Building Valuation Table multiplied by 0.032. Alterations, repairs, remodels, and other projects use the Town Building Division Valuation Table. Some limited-scope permits, reroofs, siding, water heaters, woodstoves, spas, demolitions, and similar items use flat fees. Large projects are cost-accounted deposits.
04
Reinspection fee
$45
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work done without a permit is charged at double the building permit fee.
The Town provides an online payment page and states that online payment requires the building permit number, amount due, site street address, and credit card or digital checking account information. For new structures and additions, 10% of the building permit fee is collected at submittal and is non-refundable; for alterations, repairs, and remodels over $30,000, 10% is also collected at submittal and is non-refundable; the balance and other fees are due at permit issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection request form (online)
- (760) 965-3639 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- All inspections must be called in by 5:00 PM and will be scheduled for the next business day as available.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
- Time windows
- Applicants may request AM or PM inspections, and the Town will try to accommodate. The Building Division also states inspections are provided within 24 hours of customer request.
Typical sequence: After permit issuance, inspections are scheduled as work progresses. The Town does not publish a universal sequence on the reviewed pages, but inspection services cover new construction, additions, remodels, and changes in use and are performed to verify compliance with approved plans and local and state code.
Source: Town of Mammoth Lakes Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Mammoth Lakes permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
The Town of Mammoth Lakes requires a building permit for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, remodels, plumbing, electrical work, demolition, spa installs, solar panel and battery storage installs, reroofs, siding replacement, decking replacement, woodstove and fireplace installs, and other work not exempt under California Building Code section 105.2.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Mammoth Lakes, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $45 for some limited-scope permits and reroofs under 5 squares; $225 is the minimum fee in the Building Division valuation table for alterations, repairs, and remodels valued from $0 to $10,000.. Fees are calculated as: New structures and additions are based on the ICC Building Valuation Table multiplied by 0.032. Alterations, repairs, remodels, and other projects use the Town Building Division Valuation Table. Some limited-scope permits, reroofs, siding, water heaters, woodstoves, spas, demolitions, and similar items use flat fees. Large projects are cost-accounted deposits.. Plan check fee: Additional plan review beyond three plan checks is charged at $90 per hour for in-house review or at the outside plan check firm's hourly rate if outsourced. Not all permits go into the formal plan check queue..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Mammoth Lakes, CA, follow these steps: 1. Download the Town of Mammoth Lakes building permit application and any job-specific forms from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page. 2. Prepare a complete electronic submittal. The Town requires the permit application for all submittals and only accepts complete submittals. Depending on scope, this can include plans, structural calculations, project information, reroof or siding forms, flue certification, EV forms, special inspection forms, and other supporting documents. 3. Email the complete electronic package to buildingtech@townofmammothlakes.ca.gov. 4. If the project also needs Planning or Engineering review, the Building Division routes it internally. If outside-agency approvals are required, the applicant must obtain them directly. The Town specifically notes common approvals from the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District and Mammoth Community Water District, and permits are not issued until proof of required outside approvals is submitted. 5. Respond to plan review comments if the project requires review. The Town says initial plan review typically takes 10 to 14 business days and successive reviews typically take 5 to 7 business days. Minor limited-scope permits may be issued on an expedited basis and many can be issued within 24 hours. 6. Pay fees when prompted and sign the permit document. The Town FAQ states the permit is not issued unless it is also signed by the Building Official or a representative. 7. Receive the permit packet when processed and ready for pickup, then schedule inspections by online form or phone as work progresses.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Mammoth Lakes, CA typically run Limited-scope permits can often be issued within 24 hours; initial plan review is typically 10 to 14 business days; successive reviews are typically 5 to 7 business days; deck repair review is approximately 2 to 6 weeks; and a new single-family residence can take 6 months to more than a year through plan review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Mammoth Lakes, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet; Fences other than swimming pool barriers not over 7 feet high; Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground; Playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Certain window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies; Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work listed in the Town's exemption handout, such as portable appliances, minor repair work, clearing stoppages, and some like-for-like repairs that do not make equipment unsafe. Note: Exemptions do not authorize work that violates code or other laws. Emergency repairs still require the permit application by the next working business day. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Mammoth Lakes, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Mammoth Lakes, CA via: Inspection request form, (760) 965-3639. All inspections must be called in by 5:00 PM and will be scheduled for the next business day as available..
last verified April 2026
source Town of Mammoth Lakes Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/mono/mammoth-lakes
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Mammoth Lakes Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.