Fontana, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Fontana Department of Building & Safety

Street address

8353 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335

Phone

(909) 350-7640

Building@fontana.org

Coverage

Applies to projects within incorporated City of Fontana limits in San Bernardino County; projects in unincorporated county areas are handled by San Bernardino County, not the City of Fontana.

Online portal

Accela Citizen Access (ACA), branded by the city as Build Fontana

Website

Department website

Additional resources

http://web1.fontana.org/AccelaDailyInspection/ ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Fontana

Fontana directs applicants to obtain permission before starting projects and routes construction activity through its Building Permit and Plan Check process. The city publishes permit pathways for building work such as room additions, new construction, tenant improvements, reroofs, patio covers, sheds, windows, photovoltaic systems, and similar regulated work. Source URLs: https://www.fontana.org/142/Building-Permits ; https://www.fontana.org/3589/Build-Fontana

Note: Fontana does not publish a separate public handout on its permit pages listing all exemption categories. Treat exemptions as project-specific and confirm with Fontana Building & Safety before starting work, especially for work affecting structure, egress, fire/life safety, utilities, occupancy, floodplain, hillside/grading, or property-line conditions. Source URL: https://www.fontana.org/145/Codes-Local-Amendments

Required documents

Application for Building Permit and Plan Check
plan sets or site plan if needed
supplemental documents
licensed professional or contractor information if applicable
and project-specific authorizations such as fence/wall neighbor authorization, owner-builder verification, or proof of ownership for newly purchased property. Source URLs: https://www.fontana.org/142/Building-Permits
https://www.fontana.org/146/Plan-Check
https://www.fontana.org/DocumentCenter/View/42054/BUILDING-AND-SAFETY-PLAN-CHECK-SUBMITTAL
https://www.fontanaca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/314
https://www.fontana.org/DocumentCenter/View/324

Building code: Fontana's Codes & Local Amendments page states the city is using the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including the 2025 CBC, CRC, CEC, CMC, CPC, Energy Code, CFC, and California Green Building Standards Code. Source URL: https://www.fontana.org/145/Codes-Local-Amendments
Permit validity: The city's application form states plan check applications are valid for 180 days from the first application. If no permit is issued within 180 days, the application expires by limitation; the city may grant one extension of up to 180 days upon written request, and the fee schedule includes a permit/plan check extension request fee. Source URLs: https://www.fontanaca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/314 ; https://www.fontana.org/DocumentCenter/View/19039
Owner-builder: Fontana warns owners not to pull permits for a contractor unless they intend to assume project liability. If a permit is being obtained in the owner-builder's name by another person, Fontana requires a notarized Owner-Builder Verification form before permit issuance. Source URLs: https://www.fontana.org/142/Building-Permits ; https://www.fontana.org/DocumentCenter/View/324
Contractor requirements: Fontana's permit application requires contractor state license number, license class, and city business license number. The online submittal guide also requires licensed-professional information unless the permit is being pulled as owner-builder. Source URLs: https://www.fontanaca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/314 ; https://www.fontana.org/DocumentCenter/View/42054/BUILDING-AND-SAFETY-PLAN-CHECK-SUBMITTAL

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Create a Build Fontana / ACA account and start the correct building plan check or permit application type.
02

Enter applicant and property information, including address or parcel number, then provide the project name and detailed scope.
03

Add the licensed professional or contractor information if applicable; the city's online guide says owner-builders do not complete the licensed-professional step.
04

Upload plan sets and supplemental documents in PDF format; Fontana says required plan-check submittals that do not meet its electronic file requirements will be returned unprocessed.
05

For projects submitted on paper, complete the Application for Building Permit and Plan Check and submit plans at the Building & Safety counter.
06

Plan check review begins after submittal. Fontana states first review typically takes 3 to 4 weeks, expedited solar reviews typically take 3 to 5 business days if requirements are met, and subsequent reviews typically take about 2 weeks after corrected plans are resubmitted.
07

After approvals and required verifications are complete, the city generates the permit invoice; fees must be paid before permit issuance.
08

Once fees are paid, only the signing contractor on record or the property owner may sign for the permit unless a notarized authorization is provided.

§ 04

Fee schedule

Fontana building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

The 2026 citywide fee schedule lists a Building Permit Administration issuance fee of $169. Many permit types then add project-specific permit, plan-check, and trade fees.

Plan check fee

Varies by permit type. Examples from the 2026 schedule include window replacement/retrofit plan check at $97, residential single-family photovoltaic building plan check at $130, and many plumbing/mechanical/electrical plan-check line items plus issuance fees.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Many Fontana building fees are flat by permit type or square-foot tier; some are hourly; some are percentage-based add-ons. Examples in the 2026 schedule include plan-check expedite at plan-check fee plus 50 percent and illegal-construction investigation at an amount equal to the permit fee.

Trade permit fee

The 2026 citywide fee schedule lists a Building Permit Administration issuance fee of $169. Many permit types then add project-specific permit, plan-check, and trade fees.

Reinspection fee

The fee schedule includes trade reinspection charges such as mechanical or plumbing reinspection at $105 minimum per hour, code reinspections at $95 for the second and later reinspections, a permit/plan-check extension request fee of $161, and illegal-construction investigation at an amount equal to the permit fee.

Fontana says permit invoices are provided before permit issuance and must be paid before the permit is released. The Building & Safety page also states that effective October 1, 2025, a 2.5% online processing fee applies to invoices paid through the ACA portal via PayPal. Source URLs: https://www.fontana.org/142/Building-Permits ; https://www.fontana.org/136/Building-Safety

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Online through Build Fontana (online)
(909) 350-7693 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Fontana says inspections must be scheduled 48 hours in advance and are provided Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Friday inspections require email coordination.

Typical sequence: The city's public pages emphasize that sequence depends on permit type. In general, the process moves from plan check to permit issuance to scheduled field inspections to final approval, and the scheduler requires the permit number and inspection type. Source URLs: https://www.fontana.org/146/Plan-Check ; https://www.fontana.org/3500/Standard-Inspection-Requirements ; https://www.fontana.org/150/Residential-Pre-Inspections

Source: City of Fontana Department of Building & Safety ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Fontana permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Fontana, CA? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Fontana, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Fontana, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is The 2026 citywide fee schedule lists a Building Permit Administration issuance fee of $169. Many permit types then add project-specific permit, plan-check, and trade fees.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Many Fontana building fees are flat by permit type or square-foot tier; some are hourly; some are percentage-based add-ons. Examples in the 2026 schedule include plan-check expedite at plan-check fee plus 50 percent and illegal-construction investigation at an amount equal to the permit fee.. Plan check fee: Varies by permit type. Examples from the 2026 schedule include window replacement/retrofit plan check at $97, residential single-family photovoltaic building plan check at $130, and many plumbing/mechanical/electrical plan-check line items plus issuance fees..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Fontana, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Fontana, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create a Build Fontana / ACA account and start the correct building plan check or permit application type. 2. Enter applicant and property information, including address or parcel number, then provide the project name and detailed scope. 3. Add the licensed professional or contractor information if applicable; the city's online guide says owner-builders do not complete the licensed-professional step. 4. Upload plan sets and supplemental documents in PDF format; Fontana says required plan-check submittals that do not meet its electronic file requirements will be returned unprocessed. 5. For projects submitted on paper, complete the Application for Building Permit and Plan Check and submit plans at the Building & Safety counter. 6. Plan check review begins after submittal. Fontana states first review typically takes 3 to 4 weeks, expedited solar reviews typically take 3 to 5 business days if requirements are met, and subsequent reviews typically take about 2 weeks after corrected plans are resubmitted. 7. After approvals and required verifications are complete, the city generates the permit invoice; fees must be paid before permit issuance. 8. Once fees are paid, only the signing contractor on record or the property owner may sign for the permit unless a notarized authorization is provided.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Fontana, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Fontana, CA via: Online through Build Fontana, (909) 350-7693. Fontana says inspections must be scheduled 48 hours in advance and are provided Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Friday inspections require email coordination..

last verified April 2026 entry id permits/california/san-bernardino/fontana

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

City of Fontana

Other jurisdictions in San Bernardino County.