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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Ontario
Ontario requires a written construction permit before erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving, or alteration of a building or structure, subject to exempt work under adopted code Section 105.2 and minor repairs as determined by the enforcing agency. City FAQs also confirm permits are required for examples such as retaining walls over 2 feet high, fences/walls over 3 feet high, and replacement of a gas water heater in a single-family dwelling.
Work exempt from permits under the city-adopted code Section 105.2 and minor repairs as determined by the enforcing agency
City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include replacement of a residential garbage disposer
City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include installation of a domestic cooking range, broiler unit, or domestic-type clothes dryer in a single-family dwelling
City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include portable ventilating, comfort-cooling, or evaporative cooler equipment
City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include gas piping less than 6 feet in length between an existing gas outlet and a gas appliance in the same room
- Exempt Work exempt from permits under the city-adopted code Section 105.2 and minor repairs as determined by the enforcing agency
- Exempt City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include replacement of a residential garbage disposer
- Exempt City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include installation of a domestic cooking range, broiler unit, or domestic-type clothes dryer in a single-family dwelling
- Exempt City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include portable ventilating, comfort-cooling, or evaporative cooler equipment
- Exempt City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include gas piping less than 6 feet in length between an existing gas outlet and a gas appliance in the same room
Note: Ontario does not appear to publish a single complete local webpage listing all permit exemptions; broader exemptions flow from the adopted California code, and exemption does not authorize work that violates zoning, fire, utility, or other code requirements.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- project information
- PDF plan set
- separate supporting PDFs as applicable such as soils reports, structural calculations, and other studies
- sealed/signed sheets by the designer of record where required. On resubmittal, Ontario requires a complete revised plan set plus a separate response list
- Building code
- City materials reference enforcement of the 2022 California Building, Residential, Existing Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, and Green Building Standards codes, as amended by the Ontario Municipal Code.
- Permit validity
- Plan check expires 12 months after the plan check fee is paid. A permit expires if work does not start within 6 months of issuance, or if work starts and then stops for more than 6 months.
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner may obtain the permit and perform construction, alteration, or repair on the house and accessory buildings/facilities if the owner resides or will reside in the dwelling.
- Contractor requirements
- The city permit application requires contractor name, license number, and class. If changing contractors after permit issuance, Ontario generally requires a relinquishment letter from the original contractor or a new permit process; owner-builder conversion rules are addressed in the city FAQ.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Minimum filing review about 2 regular business days after confirmation; first plan check about 5 weeks; subsequent reviews about 4 weeks.
- 01 Create a Citizen Portal Access account, start a building application, choose the permit type, and upload plans/supporting documents as PDFs. Paper plan submittals are not accepted.
- 02 After submittal, Ontario sends a confirmation email with a pre-application number. Staff states it will review for minimum filing requirements and provide comments within about 2 regular business days.
- 03 When minimum filing requirements are met, the city emails the plan review fees due. Pay online by credit card or e-check through the payment portal.
- 04 Track status online. Ontario states first review plan checks are typically completed in about 5 weeks and later review cycles in about 4 weeks. If corrections are issued, upload a complete revised plan set and response list through the portal.
- 05 After approval, visit the Building Department at 303 East B Street to obtain an inspection card. The city emails the stamped digital plans, and the applicant is responsible for printing the field set.
Typical processing time: Minimum filing review about 2 regular business days after confirmation; first plan check about 5 weeks; subsequent reviews about 4 weeks.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Ontario building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
The Building Department fees page states the minimum fee for any permit is $47.50; the citywide fee schedule also shows valuation-based building permit base fees starting at $25 plus additional line-item charges, so applicants should confirm the exact total with the city.
02
Plan check fee
Building plan check fee is 80% of the permit fee; track/duplicate building plan check is 40%; expedited plan check adds 10% to 50% depending on project valuation tier.
03
Permit fee formula
Primarily valuation-based for standard building permits, with flat fees for some miscellaneous permit types and separate trade permit schedules.
04
Trade permit fee
Primarily valuation-based for standard building permits, with flat fees for some miscellaneous permit types and separate trade permit schedules.
05
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees are listed separately by trade in the citywide fee schedule, including electrical reinspection $129.70/hour, mechanical reinspection $185.20/hour, and plumbing reinspection $124.00/hour. Additional extension requests after the first approved extension are also charged.
At submittal, Ontario collects only the plan review fee. The city instructs applicants to pay through the online payment portal by credit card or e-check. The Building Department says posted fees are estimates and applicants should contact permit technicians for exact issuance amounts.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Online through the city permit portal (online)
- (909) 395-2362 (phone)
- (909) 395-2023 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- The Building Department public counter hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m..
- Time windows
- The city website references a daily inspection schedule, but a public inspection-window schedule was not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
Typical sequence: Inspections occur at critical stages in sequence. The city FAQ lists common inspections such as foundation excavation, concrete, wood framing, ventilation equipment, plumbing, electrical, shear wall nailing, roof nailing, and final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Ontario permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Ontario, CA? ▸
Ontario requires a written construction permit before erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving, or alteration of a building or structure, subject to exempt work under adopted code Section 105.2 and minor repairs as determined by the enforcing agency. City FAQs also confirm permits are required for examples such as retaining walls over 2 feet high, fences/walls over 3 feet high, and replacement of a gas water heater in a single-family dwelling.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Ontario, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Ontario, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is The Building Department fees page states the minimum fee for any permit is $47.50; the citywide fee schedule also shows valuation-based building permit base fees starting at $25 plus additional line-item charges, so applicants should confirm the exact total with the city.. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based for standard building permits, with flat fees for some miscellaneous permit types and separate trade permit schedules.. Plan check fee: Building plan check fee is 80% of the permit fee; track/duplicate building plan check is 40%; expedited plan check adds 10% to 50% depending on project valuation tier..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Ontario, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Ontario, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create a Citizen Portal Access account, start a building application, choose the permit type, and upload plans/supporting documents as PDFs. Paper plan submittals are not accepted. 2. After submittal, Ontario sends a confirmation email with a pre-application number. Staff states it will review for minimum filing requirements and provide comments within about 2 regular business days. 3. When minimum filing requirements are met, the city emails the plan review fees due. Pay online by credit card or e-check through the payment portal. 4. Track status online. Ontario states first review plan checks are typically completed in about 5 weeks and later review cycles in about 4 weeks. If corrections are issued, upload a complete revised plan set and response list through the portal. 5. After approval, visit the Building Department at 303 East B Street to obtain an inspection card. The city emails the stamped digital plans, and the applicant is responsible for printing the field set.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Ontario, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Ontario, CA typically run Minimum filing review about 2 regular business days after confirmation; first plan check about 5 weeks; subsequent reviews about 4 weeks.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Ontario, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Ontario, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Work exempt from permits under the city-adopted code Section 105.2 and minor repairs as determined by the enforcing agency; City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include replacement of a residential garbage disposer; City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include installation of a domestic cooking range, broiler unit, or domestic-type clothes dryer in a single-family dwelling; City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include portable ventilating, comfort-cooling, or evaporative cooler equipment; City FAQ examples of work not requiring a permit include gas piping less than 6 feet in length between an existing gas outlet and a gas appliance in the same room. Note: Ontario does not appear to publish a single complete local webpage listing all permit exemptions; broader exemptions flow from the adopted California code, and exemption does not authorize work that violates zoning, fire, utility, or other code requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Ontario, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Ontario, CA via: Online through the city permit portal, (909) 395-2362, (909) 395-2023.
last verified April 2026
source City of Ontario Building Department ↗
entry id permits/california/san-bernardino/ontario
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Ontario Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.