On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Grand Terrace
Most new construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and structural repair or replacement require a building permit. The city FAQ lists common examples including additions, patio enclosures, kitchen and bathroom remodels, decks and patio covers, garage conversions, sheds over 120 square feet, pools/spas, reroofs, doors/windows, water heaters, HVAC, service panels, siding, skylights, retaining walls depending on scope, rewiring, repiping, and fixture replacements. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
Painting, papering, carpet, or similar finish work
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Painting, papering, carpet, or similar finish work
- Exempt Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
Note: The city states this list is per 2025 CRC Part 2.5 Section R105.2 and that even when a building permit is not required, planning and/or Public Works approval may still be required for some work. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
Required documents
- At minimum, the city permit application asks for job site address, APN, owner/applicant contact information, contractor information, state license number, valuation, work description, square footage, planning approval fields, and designer/architect/engineer details as applicable. Plans/specifications are required when plan review is needed. Homeowners using the owner-builder route must complete an Owner-Builder form. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_12337255/File/Building%20Permit%20Application%202023.pdf
- https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
- Building code
- The city states it follows the 2025 California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Referenced Standards, Residential, Green Building Standards, Fire, Energy, Historical Building, Existing Building, and Administrative Codes. The Building & Safety page also lists the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code and 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
- Permit validity
- Building permits are typically valid for 6 months from issuance or the last approved inspection. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may apply for a construction permit but must complete an Owner-Builder form. The application also includes owner-builder declarations under Business and Professions Code section 7044. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_12337255/File/Building%20Permit%20Application%202023.pdf
- Contractor requirements
- The application requires contractor name and state license number, and includes declarations tied to the Contractors License Law. It also asks for a City of Grand Terrace business license number. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_12337255/File/Building%20Permit%20Application%202023.pdf
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether the project needs a permit with Building & Safety; most new construction, remodels, and structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work do.
- 02 Complete the City of Grand Terrace building permit application, including owner, job site, valuation, contractor/license information, and any owner-builder declaration if applicable.
- 03 Submit in person at City Hall for standard permits, or use the electronic submittal page for eligible permit types: solar, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and re-roof.
- 04 If plans are required, pay plan check fees at submittal and wait for review. The city states plan check may be around 10 business days or less depending on complexity and submittal quality. Over-the-counter permits that do not require plan submittal are available same day.
- 05 For eligible electronic permits, staff reviews the application within 48 hours Monday through Friday, sends a payment link, and after payment and applicant notification, approved permit materials are typically emailed within 24 hours.
- 06 Obtain required inspections during construction and secure final approval before occupancy/use.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Grand Terrace building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$55.00 minimum total fee for any permit
02
Plan check fee
Building plan review fee is 65% of the building permit fee when plans are required. Additional/revised review is billed at $150.00 per hour with a $150.00 minimum. Various other disciplines have separate plan review formulas or deposits. Source: fee schedule URL above
03
Permit fee formula
Building permits are valuation-based under the city fee schedule; the FAQ also states building permit fees are calculated based on project valuation. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, pool, patio cover, and other categories have separate flat/unit schedules. Solar systems meeting listed residential criteria are a flat $75.00 permit. Source: fee schedule URL above and https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
04
Reinspection fee
The published fee schedule did not identify a standalone reinspection fee in the text reviewed. Related charges include field investigation/report at $85.00, billing fee at $33.00, and fines for building without a permit of $1,175.00, or $375.00 for a fence or wall without a permit. Source: fee schedule URL above
05
Penalty (no permit)
The published fee schedule did not identify a standalone reinspection fee in the text reviewed. Related charges include field investigation/report at $85.00, billing fee at $33.00, and fines for building without a permit of $1,175.00, or $375.00 for a fence or wall without a permit. Source: fee schedule URL above
The Building & Safety page states payments accepted are cash, check, and card plus 2% for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. For eligible electronic permits, staff sends a payment link; for solar online permits, the city states invoices are emailed and payment can be made online. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/electronic_building_permit_submittals ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/solar_permits
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety (online)
- (909) 954-5200 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- The city states inspection requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Building counter and permit hours are also generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
Typical sequence: The city does not publish a universal sequence on the pages reviewed; inspections are conducted for projects with active permits, and permittees should request the relevant inspection type by permit number and date. Standard details and project-specific approved plans should control sequence. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety ; https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/standard_details
Source: City of Grand Terrace Building & Safety Division, within Planning & Development Services ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Grand Terrace permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Grand Terrace, CA? ▸
Most new construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and structural repair or replacement require a building permit. The city FAQ lists common examples including additions, patio enclosures, kitchen and bathroom remodels, decks and patio covers, garage conversions, sheds over 120 square feet, pools/spas, reroofs, doors/windows, water heaters, HVAC, service panels, siding, skylights, retaining walls depending on scope, rewiring, repiping, and fixture replacements. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs
02 How much does a building permit cost in Grand Terrace, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Grand Terrace, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $55.00 minimum total fee for any permit. Fees are calculated as: Building permits are valuation-based under the city fee schedule; the FAQ also states building permit fees are calculated based on project valuation. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, pool, patio cover, and other categories have separate flat/unit schedules. Solar systems meeting listed residential criteria are a flat $75.00 permit. Source: fee schedule URL above and https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs. Plan check fee: Building plan review fee is 65% of the building permit fee when plans are required. Additional/revised review is billed at $150.00 per hour with a $150.00 minimum. Various other disciplines have separate plan review formulas or deposits. Source: fee schedule URL above.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Grand Terrace, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Grand Terrace, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project needs a permit with Building & Safety; most new construction, remodels, and structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work do. 2. Complete the City of Grand Terrace building permit application, including owner, job site, valuation, contractor/license information, and any owner-builder declaration if applicable. 3. Submit in person at City Hall for standard permits, or use the electronic submittal page for eligible permit types: solar, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and re-roof. 4. If plans are required, pay plan check fees at submittal and wait for review. The city states plan check may be around 10 business days or less depending on complexity and submittal quality. Over-the-counter permits that do not require plan submittal are available same day. 5. For eligible electronic permits, staff reviews the application within 48 hours Monday through Friday, sends a payment link, and after payment and applicant notification, approved permit materials are typically emailed within 24 hours. 6. Obtain required inspections during construction and secure final approval before occupancy/use.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Grand Terrace, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Grand Terrace, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge; Painting, papering, carpet, or similar finish work; Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door; Sidewalks and driveways. Note: The city states this list is per 2025 CRC Part 2.5 Section R105.2 and that even when a building permit is not required, planning and/or Public Works approval may still be required for some work. Source: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety/building_safety_faqs When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Grand Terrace, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Grand Terrace, CA via: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/departments/planning_development_services/building_safety, (909) 954-5200.
last verified April 2026
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Grand Terrace Building & Safety Division, within Planning & Development Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.