On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for San Bernardino
The city states that, with a few minor exceptions, building permits are required for all structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning work.
One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not over 120 square feet
Non-masonry fences not over 7 feet high; however, Planning Division approval is still required to confirm zoning compliance
Oil derricks
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the stated height-to-width ratio
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons
Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Certain window awnings in R-3 and U occupancies meeting the city-listed projection/support limits
Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving an exit door
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not over 120 square feet
- Exempt Non-masonry fences not over 7 feet high; however, Planning Division approval is still required to confirm zoning compliance
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Exempt Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the stated height-to-width ratio
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain window awnings in R-3 and U occupancies meeting the city-listed projection/support limits
- Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving an exit door
Note: The city directs applicants to CBC 105.2 and CRC R105.2 for the complete exemption list. Even where a building permit is not required, zoning or Planning Division review may still apply.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- MEP application if applicable
- permit application declaration before issuance
- and, when plans are required, three printed plan sets plus two hard copies of supplemental documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, and geotechnical reports. Plans must be signed, and professionally prepared plans must be wet-stamped and signed as specified by the city
- Building code
- The city municipal code states the city currently adopts the 2022 California Building Codes under Title 24, including Parts 1 through 6, 8, 9, and 11. The public Building & Safety page specifically lists the California Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Existing Building Code, Historical Building Code, Referenced Standards Code, Administrative Code, and the California Fire Code as enforced by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
- Permit validity
- Under SBMC 15.04.050, failure to obtain an inspection and demonstrate substantial progress within any 180-day period is prima facie evidence of abandoned work and the permit expires.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may generally obtain permits for one- or two-family dwellings and related accessory structures if they reside or intend to reside there, perform the work themselves, and sign the required workers' compensation statement; identity verification is required before issuance.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold the appropriate California state contractor license, possess a current City business license, and provide proof of workers' compensation insurance if they have employees.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general citywide processing-time estimate is published on the Building & Safety page. The city states some minor permits are usually issued over the counter, while more complex projects require plan review before issuance.
- 01 Confirm whether the scope is permit-exempt or eligible for counter issuance. The city says most structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning work requires a permit, while minor work such as water heater replacement or panel upgrades is often issued over the counter.
- 02 Complete the required application form. All building permits require a Building Permit Application; MEP-only work uses the Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing Permit Application; a Permit Application Declaration is required before permit issuance.
- 03 If plans are required, submit plan check materials. The city requires three printed plan sets at least 24 by 36 inches, plus two hard copies of supporting documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, and geotechnical reports. Most plan check submittals must be made in person.
- 04 For limited residential permit types, submit online or by email if the city allows it. The city lists online acceptance for single-family residential rewires, re-pipes, panel upgrades, and re-roofs; expedited residential EV charging can be submitted online or in person; residential solar may use the city solar workflow.
- 05 Wait for city review, then pay fees when instructed. The city states that once an online permit application is accepted, the applicant is notified with payment instructions.
- 06 Receive the permit, perform the work, and call SB Direct at 909-998-2000 for required inspections.
Typical processing time: No general citywide processing-time estimate is published on the Building & Safety page. The city states some minor permits are usually issued over the counter, while more complex projects require plan review before issuance.
Source: Community and Economic Development Department - Building & Safety Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
San Bernardino building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$60.00
02
Plan check fee
For one- and two-family residential construction, plan review is hourly; the fee schedule lists an in-house hourly plan review rate of $122.37 and states new 1- and 2-family dwellings are billed at 5 hours, with additions billed at 3 hours. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily plan review fees are valuation-based per Table 3.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Single-family additions use square-foot formulas; new homes use schedule tables; commercial, industrial, and multifamily fees are valuation-based; separate issuance, technology, archive, SMIP, and other add-on fees may apply.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee $118.35; inspection outside normal business hours $236.70 plus $118.35 per additional hour beyond 2 hours. The fee schedule page reviewed did not separately list a generic permit penalty line item.
The city states that after an online permit application is accepted, the applicant is notified with payment instructions. The fee schedule also notes that permit issuance fees are included on all permits.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- and inspection status can be checked (online)
- 909-998-2000 (phone)
- Time windows
- The city page lists inspection requests through SB Direct but does not publish inspection arrival windows on that page. Permit counter hours are listed separately, but they are not stated as inspection windows.
Typical sequence: The city page does not publish a universal inspection sequence. Inspection order depends on permit scope and approved plans; applicants should expect inspections at the required construction stages shown on the permit and approved plan set before concealment and at final completion.
Source: Community and Economic Development Department - Building & Safety Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about San Bernardino permits
01 Do I need a building permit in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
The city states that, with a few minor exceptions, building permits are required for all structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in San Bernardino, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $60.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Single-family additions use square-foot formulas; new homes use schedule tables; commercial, industrial, and multifamily fees are valuation-based; separate issuance, technology, archive, SMIP, and other add-on fees may apply.. Plan check fee: For one- and two-family residential construction, plan review is hourly; the fee schedule lists an in-house hourly plan review rate of $122.37 and states new 1- and 2-family dwellings are billed at 5 hours, with additions billed at 3 hours. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily plan review fees are valuation-based per Table 3..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in San Bernardino, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the scope is permit-exempt or eligible for counter issuance. The city says most structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning work requires a permit, while minor work such as water heater replacement or panel upgrades is often issued over the counter. 2. Complete the required application form. All building permits require a Building Permit Application; MEP-only work uses the Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing Permit Application; a Permit Application Declaration is required before permit issuance. 3. If plans are required, submit plan check materials. The city requires three printed plan sets at least 24 by 36 inches, plus two hard copies of supporting documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, and geotechnical reports. Most plan check submittals must be made in person. 4. For limited residential permit types, submit online or by email if the city allows it. The city lists online acceptance for single-family residential rewires, re-pipes, panel upgrades, and re-roofs; expedited residential EV charging can be submitted online or in person; residential solar may use the city solar workflow. 5. Wait for city review, then pay fees when instructed. The city states that once an online permit application is accepted, the applicant is notified with payment instructions. 6. Receive the permit, perform the work, and call SB Direct at 909-998-2000 for required inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in San Bernardino, CA typically run No general citywide processing-time estimate is published on the Building & Safety page. The city states some minor permits are usually issued over the counter, while more complex projects require plan review before issuance.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in San Bernardino, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not over 120 square feet; Non-masonry fences not over 7 feet high; however, Planning Division approval is still required to confirm zoning compliance; Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks on grade not over 5,000 gallons and within the stated height-to-width ratio; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Certain window awnings in R-3 and U occupancies meeting the city-listed projection/support limits; Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving an exit door. Note: The city directs applicants to CBC 105.2 and CRC R105.2 for the complete exemption list. Even where a building permit is not required, zoning or Planning Division review may still apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in San Bernardino, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in San Bernardino, CA via: and inspection status can be checked, 909-998-2000.
last verified April 2026
source Community and Economic Development Department - Building & Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/california/san-bernardino/san-bernardino-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community and Economic Development Department - Building & Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.