Riverside County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated areas of Riverside County; incorporated cities in Riverside County generally run their own building departments.

Department

Riverside County Building and Safety Department, within the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA)

Address

4080 Lemon Street, 9th Floor, Riverside, CA 92502

Phone

(951) 955-1800 ext. 5

Email

LandUseInfo@rivco.org

Website

https://building.rctlma.org/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a PLUS Online account at https://rivcoplus.org/ before starting an application.
2. Prepare the required application package. Riverside County says a complete job description, plans, and other required documents must be uploaded with the application; the county master application forms are on the Building and Safety Forms page.
3. Apply online through PLUS Online. If you are unsure of the permit type, the county instructs applicants to use the Universal Permit Application and provide a detailed description.
4. Wait for initial county review. Staff process submittals in received-date order.
5. Pay the invoice when requested. The county says fees are due before processing continues, and payment must be made within 72 hours of invoice issuance or the permit will be voided and must be resubmitted.
6. Respond to corrections or missing-item notices, then complete plan check and any outside clearances shown on the progress report.
7. Once all clearances are satisfied and fees are paid, email the county to request issuance; Riverside County says to allow three business days for issuance processing.
8. After issuance, download and print the job card and approved stamped plans. The county requires them to be on site for inspections.
9. Schedule inspections only when the work is ready. Riverside states inspections requested before 3:00 p.m. are normally performed the next business day, subject to availability.

Typical processing time: General permit-review time is not published; Riverside states only that submittals are handled in date order, invoices must be paid within 72 hours, and permit issuance after all clearances are complete should be allowed about 3 business days. Inspection requests made before 3:00 p.m. are normally performed the next business day under normal conditions.

Source: Riverside County Building and Safety Department, within the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA)

General Requirements

Riverside County requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of a building or structure, and before installing or altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. The county also requires final approval and, where applicable, a certificate of occupancy before use or occupancy.

Required Documents

• At minimum, a completed application with a complete job description, plans, and any other required supporting documents. Depending on the project
• Riverside may also require owner-agent authorization, owner-builder declarations, technical reports, special-inspection documents, and project-specific handouts or checklists from the Forms page.

Permit validity

The building permit application states the permit becomes null and void if no approved inspection is obtained for 180 days. The county allows one written 180-day extension if requested before expiration.

Building code

Riverside County's building-codes page still lists the 2022 California codes, but the county separately published that the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026. As of March 21, 2026, the current code basis should be treated as the 2025 California Building Standards Code plus applicable Riverside County ordinances and Title 25 requirements. This is an inference from the county's later code-update notice because the general codes page appears stale.

Owner-builder

Riverside's application requires an owner-builder declaration if the applicant is claiming exemption from contractor licensure. The form states owner-builders either perform work themselves or through their own employees, or contract exclusively with licensed contractors. The form also notes a civil penalty of up to $500 for a false exemption claim and states owner-builders bear the burden of proving work was not built for sale if sold within one year of completion.

Contractor requirements

The application form requires contractors to declare that they are licensed under California Business and Professions Code Chapter 9, beginning with Section 7000, and that the license is in full force and effect.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The current posted fee schedule includes fixed-fee permit types as low as $111.11 for Agricultural Exempt / No Inspection (Fee Only) (BFE-AGEX). For common building permits, the lowest listed fixed fees are generally $179.30 for items such as residential plumbing, pool spa fountain, patio-cover final, or commercial reroof installation/replacement.

Plan check fee

Common structural permits are generally deposit-based and plan-check work is funded from that deposit. The county also states additional deposits may be required if costs exceed the initial deposit.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Many permit types are fixed-fee; others are deposit-based. The county states posted amounts are base fees only and additional surcharges and mandated fees apply by permit type.

Reinspection fee

Riverside may assess supplemental or reinspection fees when the permit card is not posted, approved plans are unavailable, access is not provided, work is incomplete, plans are not followed, or prior corrections are not fixed. The residential inspection guide also says reinspection fees may be charged when the job is not ready for inspection.

Payment note

Riverside says invoices are sent to the listed financially responsible applicant contact, fees must be paid before the permit process continues, payment is due within 72 hours of invoice issuance or the permit will be voided, and additional deposits can be required for deposit-based permits.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or less, without utilities
• Driveways and walkways not crossing over a basement and not exceeding 30 inches above grade
• Detached decks up to 200 square feet that are no more than 30 inches above grade, are not attached to a building, and do not serve an egress door
• Certain small above-ground prefabricated pools at single-family property, up to 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Block walls not over 3 feet high from grade, measured as stated by the county handout
• Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons if the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural use, with no utilities
• Nonfixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Certain residential awnings over doors or windows in Group R-3 or U occupancies that do not project more than 54 inches
• Finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, and countertops that does not change wall, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical configuration
• Like-for-like retrofit window replacement that does not alter framing size
• Roof repairs or replacement affecting less than 25 percent of the legally existing roof area, with no framing work, and not more than once in a 12-month period
• Electrical breaker and fuse replacements, except main disconnect replacement
• Electrical outlet and switch replacements in legally existing boxes
• Mechanical appliance repairs that do not alter listing or approval, portable heating/cooling/ventilation appliances, and small self-contained refrigeration systems within county limits
• Plumbing faucet or toilet repair/replacement, and stopping leaks in existing piping where material is not replaced

Important: Riverside states exempt work still must comply with code and other laws, and the exemption does not authorize work performed in violation of county or state requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• https://building.rctlma.org/inspection-request (online)
• 951-955-1800 (phone)
• 951-600-6100 (phone)
• 760-863-8271 (phone)
• 951-955-1842 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests are accepted each business day before 3:00 p.m., subject to available space. Inspections are normally performed the next business day under normal conditions. The county does not accept weekend or holiday inspections under the standard process and does not provide exact appointment times.

Typical inspection sequence: Use the permit-specific inspection code list supplied with the permit, request each stage only when ready, keep the permit, site plan, approved stamped plans, and supporting documents on site, and obtain final inspection approval before occupancy or use.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Riverside County's building-codes page still lists the 2022 California codes, but the county separately published that the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026. As of March 21, 2026, the current code basis should be treated as the 2025 California Building Standards Code plus applicable Riverside County ordinances and Title 25 requirements. This is an inference from the county's later code-update notice because the general codes page appears stale.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://rctlma.org/how-apply-0
• https://rctlma.org/building-permit-issuance
• https://building.rctlma.org/forms
• https://building.rctlma.org/plan-check/code-ordinance-requirements
• https://building.rctlma.org/fees
• https://building.rctlma.org/contact-us
• https://gis1.countyofriverside.us/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=MMC_Public
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside County Building Permit FAQ

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

Riverside County requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of a building or structure, and before installing or altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. The county also requires final approval and, where applicable, a certificate of occupancy before use or occupancy.

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

The minimum permit fee is The current posted fee schedule includes fixed-fee permit types as low as $111.11 for Agricultural Exempt / No Inspection (Fee Only) (BFE-AGEX). For common building permits, the lowest listed fixed fees are generally $179.30 for items such as residential plumbing, pool spa fountain, patio-cover final, or commercial reroof installation/replacement.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Many permit types are fixed-fee; others are deposit-based. The county states posted amounts are base fees only and additional surcharges and mandated fees apply by permit type.. Plan check fee: Common structural permits are generally deposit-based and plan-check work is funded from that deposit. The county also states additional deposits may be required if costs exceed the initial deposit..

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

1. Create a PLUS Online account at https://rivcoplus.org/ before starting an application. 2. Prepare the required application package. Riverside County says a complete job description, plans, and other required documents must be uploaded with the application; the county master application forms are on the Building and Safety Forms page. 3. Apply online through PLUS Online. If you are unsure of the permit type, the county instructs applicants to use the Universal Permit Application and provide a detailed description. 4. Wait for initial county review. Staff process submittals in received-date order. 5. Pay the invoice when requested. The county says fees are due before processing continues, and payment must be made within 72 hours of invoice issuance or the permit will be voided and must be resubmitted. 6. Respond to corrections or missing-item notices, then complete plan check and any outside clearances shown on the progress report. 7. Once all clearances are satisfied and fees are paid, email the county to request issuance; Riverside County says to allow three business days for issuance processing. 8. After issuance, download and print the job card and approved stamped plans. The county requires them to be on site for inspections. 9. Schedule inspections only when the work is ready. Riverside states inspections requested before 3:00 p.m. are normally performed the next business day, subject to availability.

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

Typical processing time is General permit-review time is not published; Riverside states only that submittals are handled in date order, invoices must be paid within 72 hours, and permit issuance after all clearances are complete should be allowed about 3 business days. Inspection requests made before 3:00 p.m. are normally performed the next business day under normal conditions..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or less, without utilities; Driveways and walkways not crossing over a basement and not exceeding 30 inches above grade; Detached decks up to 200 square feet that are no more than 30 inches above grade, are not attached to a building, and do not serve an egress door; Certain small above-ground prefabricated pools at single-family property, up to 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Fences not over 7 feet high; Block walls not over 3 feet high from grade, measured as stated by the county handout; Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons if the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural use, with no utilities; Nonfixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Certain residential awnings over doors or windows in Group R-3 or U occupancies that do not project more than 54 inches; Finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, and countertops that does not change wall, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical configuration; Like-for-like retrofit window replacement that does not alter framing size; Roof repairs or replacement affecting less than 25 percent of the legally existing roof area, with no framing work, and not more than once in a 12-month period; Electrical breaker and fuse replacements, except main disconnect replacement; Electrical outlet and switch replacements in legally existing boxes; Mechanical appliance repairs that do not alter listing or approval, portable heating/cooling/ventilation appliances, and small self-contained refrigeration systems within county limits; Plumbing faucet or toilet repair/replacement, and stopping leaks in existing piping where material is not replaced. Note: Riverside states exempt work still must comply with code and other laws, and the exemption does not authorize work performed in violation of county or state requirements.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: https://building.rctlma.org/inspection-request, 951-955-1800, 951-600-6100, 760-863-8271, 951-955-1842. Inspection requests are accepted each business day before 3:00 p.m., subject to available space. Inspections are normally performed the next business day under normal conditions. The county does not accept weekend or holiday inspections under the standard process and does not provide exact appointment times..