Placer County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Building Services reviews plans and inspects construction in the unincorporated areas of Placer County. In the Tahoe Basin, Placer County Building Services and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) coordinate permit processing for Tahoe-area communities in unincorporated Placer County.

Department

Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, Building Services Division

Address

Auburn office: 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn, CA 95603; Tahoe office: 775 North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, CA 96145

Phone

Auburn 530-745-3010; Tahoe 530-581-6200

Email

building@placer.ca.gov

Website

https://www.placer.ca.gov/2128/Building-Services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Placer County and check zoning, permit triggers, and parcel data using the county Permit and Zoning Guide, GIS/Zoning Maps, and permit portal.
2. Review the county submittal packet and filing instructions that match the project type before starting the application.
3. Apply either online through the permit portal or at the Auburn/Tahoe counter. The county states that if you start online you must finish online, and if you start by paper you must finish by paper.
4. Upload or submit the required plans and supporting documents. Incomplete online applications are returned.
5. County staff route the application for review, assess fees, and issue correction comments if needed. Tahoe Basin projects may also require TRPA review or a TRPA qualified-exempt determination.
6. After permit issuance, schedule inspections online or by IVR phone. Remote video inspections are available for eligible inspections, including limited reinspections.
7. Complete all required inspections and final approval before occupancy/use as applicable.

Typical processing time: No general turnaround is posted for standard building permits on the county pages reviewed. The county does state that incomplete online submittals will be returned.

Source: Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, Building Services Division

General Requirements

Placer County states a building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish a building or structure regulated by the adopted California Building Code unless exempt.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Project-specific submittal materials
• Plans
• Site plans
• Valuation information
• Owner or agent authorization
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm declarations
• Applicable project checklists and forms
• Electronic documents for online applications

Permit validity

Plan check expires 12 months from the application date according to the county Permit/Plan Check Extension form. The fee schedule also lists an expired permit new 2-year permit charge, so expired permits may require extension or reissuance rather than simple continuation.

Building code

For permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Placer County applies the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including building, residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, energy, green, and new Part 7 Wildland-Urban Interface requirements. County code Chapter 15, Article 15.04 also applies.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must sign the county declaration and fit a Contractors State License Law exemption under Business and Professions Code Section 7044. Placer County also enforces AB 2335 disclosures and verification requirements for owner-builder permits.

Contractor requirements

The county permit application states only property owners, licensed contractors, or authorized agents may obtain permits. Contractors must provide California contractor license information, and owner-builders must claim an exemption instead.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The fee schedule does not show a single universal minimum building permit fee, but it does apply imaging/processing/storage charges to all permits with a minimum of $28.91 and a CDRA technology surcharge of 3.5% of assessed fees, capped at $560.37.

Plan check fee

The schedule uses plan-check tables and formulas tied to project type and valuation; flat examples in the schedule show $156.22 for several listed categories, but the county does not publish one single plan-check fee for all projects.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Many building permit fees are valuation-based; the county also uses flat-rate fees for common permit types and hourly charges for some administrative or inspection items.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee $156.22; extra inspection fee $156.22.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation of work without permit $156.22 per hour; expired permit new 2-year permit $156.22 per inspection; administrative fee $156.22.

Payment note

Online payment is available through the permit portal. County pages also note technology surcharges and separate imaging, processing, and storage charges.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in measured height unless supporting surcharge
• Certain at-grade walks and driveways
• Finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar work
• Residential decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required egress door

Important: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, fire, zoning, encroachment, conservation, or TRPA approvals may still be required. Tahoe Basin parcels have additional TRPA review rules, and Placer County directs applicants to verify zoning and parcel constraints before relying on an exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Placer County Permits Portal (online)
• Auburn IVR 530-745-3020 (phone)
• Tahoe IVR 530-581-6205 (phone)
• Remote video inspections (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. on the business day before the inspection date.

Inspection hours

The inspection schedule is published by 5:00 p.m. the business day before. Inspections can be scheduled up to 5 days in advance. The phone scheduling lines operate 24 hours a day.

Typical inspection sequence: Schedule the needed trade or building inspection after permit issuance, check the daily inspection list for estimated arrival timing, complete the inspection, correct any deficiencies, then request reinspection as needed until final inspection and approval.

Remote video inspections are available for eligible inspections, including limited reinspections.

Additional Resources

• Building code: For permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Placer County applies the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including building, residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, energy, green, and new Part 7 Wildland-Urban Interface requirements. County code Chapter 15, Article 15.04 also applies.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Apply for a permit
• Building permit processing fees reports
• Inspections
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
• Grading permits
• Permit research
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Placer County Building Permit FAQ

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

Placer County states a building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish a building or structure regulated by the adopted California Building Code unless exempt.

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

The minimum permit fee is The fee schedule does not show a single universal minimum building permit fee, but it does apply imaging/processing/storage charges to all permits with a minimum of $28.91 and a CDRA technology surcharge of 3.5% of assessed fees, capped at $560.37.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Many building permit fees are valuation-based; the county also uses flat-rate fees for common permit types and hourly charges for some administrative or inspection items.. Plan check fee: The schedule uses plan-check tables and formulas tied to project type and valuation; flat examples in the schedule show $156.22 for several listed categories, but the county does not publish one single plan-check fee for all projects..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Placer County and check zoning, permit triggers, and parcel data using the county Permit and Zoning Guide, GIS/Zoning Maps, and permit portal. 2. Review the county submittal packet and filing instructions that match the project type before starting the application. 3. Apply either online through the permit portal or at the Auburn/Tahoe counter. The county states that if you start online you must finish online, and if you start by paper you must finish by paper. 4. Upload or submit the required plans and supporting documents. Incomplete online applications are returned. 5. County staff route the application for review, assess fees, and issue correction comments if needed. Tahoe Basin projects may also require TRPA review or a TRPA qualified-exempt determination. 6. After permit issuance, schedule inspections online or by IVR phone. Remote video inspections are available for eligible inspections, including limited reinspections. 7. Complete all required inspections and final approval before occupancy/use as applicable.

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

Typical processing time is No general turnaround is posted for standard building permits on the county pages reviewed. The county does state that incomplete online submittals will be returned..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in measured height unless supporting surcharge; Certain at-grade walks and driveways; Finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar work; Residential decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required egress door. Note: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, fire, zoning, encroachment, conservation, or TRPA approvals may still be required. Tahoe Basin parcels have additional TRPA review rules, and Placer County directs applicants to verify zoning and parcel constraints before relying on an exemption.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Placer County Permits Portal, Auburn IVR 530-745-3020, Tahoe IVR 530-581-6205, Remote video inspections. Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. on the business day before the inspection date..