San Bernardino County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Building permits for unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County are handled by the County Land Use Services Department; zoning for unincorporated areas is also regulated by the County Development Code.

Department

San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division

Address

County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0187

Phone

(909) 387-8311

Email

luscustomerservice@lus.sbcounty.gov

Website

https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated San Bernardino County, verify zoning and setbacks, and identify the correct permit type in EZOP before preparing submittal documents.
2. Register for an EZOP account, start the appropriate Building application, and upload the required forms, plans, calculations, and supporting documents.
3. County staff reviews the application and plans for code compliance; if corrections are issued, revise and resubmit through EZOP.
4. After approval, pay the invoiced permit fees online or through County payment channels, then obtain permit issuance before starting work.
5. Keep the County-approved plans on site, request inspections through EZ Inspect, EZOP/Accela Citizen Access, or by phone, and obtain final approval/clearance at completion.

Typical processing time: The County does not publish a general turnaround for standard building permits on its main permit pages; published timing notes say inspection requests made by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day when capacity allows, and building application/permit extension requests are reviewed in about 5 business days.

Source: San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

The County states permits are required to build, alter, repair, move, or demolish buildings, and for electrical, plumbing, heating, solar, air-conditioning, grading, reroofing, demolition, erosion control, pools/spas, walls/signs, and many other construction activities. Current County permit guidance specifically lists new buildings over 120 square feet, solar, patio covers, enclosed patios, EV charging stations, additions/alterations, pools/spas, carports/garages/barns, fences/block walls over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of footing or any wall supporting a surcharge, onsite grading of 100 cubic yards or more, demolition, erosion control, and wall/monument signs.

Required Documents

• Typical submittals include the permit application, project plans, specifications, calculations, and related construction documents. Depending on applicant type and project, the County also requires ID, proof of ownership, owner-builder acknowledgment/notarized property-owner form, contractor license pocket card and classification, agent authorization, and project-specific forms/checklists

Permit validity

County FAQ states issued permits expire if work is not commenced within 12 months after issuance or if work is suspended/abandoned for 12 months; a written 180-day extension may be granted. County extension forms currently state plan review applications are valid for 180 days from application and issued building permits are valid if work starts within 360 days and is not suspended for more than 180 days. Because the County publishes both standards, applicants should confirm the controlling timeline for the permit type with Building and Safety before relying on an extension.

Building code

For permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026, the County requires compliance with the 2025 California Building Standards Code. The County code adopts the 2025 California Building Code for unincorporated San Bernardino County, and Building and Safety also enforces the California Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy, and Green Building standards in Title 24.

Owner-builder

Property owners may pull permits, but must provide ID, proof of ownership if needed, and a Notice to Property Owner / Owner-Builder acknowledgment; if the owner is not present at issuance, the signature must be notarized. Agents for owners need notarized authorization.

Contractor requirements

State of California licensed contractors may pull permits with photo ID and proof of current California contractor license and classification; agents for contractors need authorization on contractor letterhead or a notarized authorization. Tenants cannot pull permits unless acting as agent for the owner or contractor.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

A $57.00 intake processing fee applies to each permit in the Building and Safety fee schedule; total permit cost is higher depending on permit type.

Plan check fee

Included as a separate component of the County fee structure; plan review fees include the initial review and one resubmittal, and additional resubmittals trigger added plan review fees.

Permit fee formula

County building fees are primarily plan review fees plus building permit fees, developed from estimated staff time and project characteristics rather than the usual valuation-based model; many trade permits and miscellaneous items are flat-fee, while major construction fees are based on occupancy/construction type and square footage thresholds.

Trade permit fee

County building fees are primarily plan review fees plus building permit fees, developed from estimated staff time and project characteristics rather than the usual valuation-based model; many trade permits and miscellaneous items are flat-fee, while major construction fees are based on occupancy/construction type and square footage thresholds.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is listed as $213.00 in the County inspection handout if corrections were not completed before reinspection; the July 2025 fee schedule also lists miscellaneous inspection at $227.00 and work commencing before permit issuance at 2x permit cost.

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection fee is listed as $213.00 in the County inspection handout if corrections were not completed before reinspection; the July 2025 fee schedule also lists miscellaneous inspection at $227.00 and work commencing before permit issuance at 2x permit cost.

Payment note

Building permits and plan review fees can be paid online through the County PayHub; the County says users need the permit/activity/invoice number, APN or project name, correct amount due, and a valid MasterCard or Visa.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 120 square feet, if they have no utilities, stay within minimum setbacks, and are under 14 feet in height
• Fences or block walls 6 feet high or less are treated by the County's permit pages as outside the listed permit threshold
• Retaining walls 4 feet high or less are treated by the County's current permit page as outside the listed permit threshold if not supporting a surcharge
• Onsite grading below 100 cubic yards is outside the threshold listed on the current permit page

Important: County sources say all setbacks still apply whether or not a permit is required. Accessory structures must remain accessory to a legally established primary structure or use with the same owner. The County's public pages are not fully consistent on retaining walls: an older FAQ says permits are required over 3 feet, while the current permit page says over 4 feet measured from the bottom of footing or where supporting surcharge, so applicants should verify the current threshold with Building and Safety for any wall near that range.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspections may be scheduled through EZ Inspect (online)
• through Accela Citizen Access / EZOP (online)
• (909) 387-8311 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests received by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day when the schedule is not full.

Time windows

Inspectors are available from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. to discuss issues or request an inspection window, and inspectors call the morning of inspection with a 2-hour arrival window for scheduled field inspections.

Typical inspection sequence: After permit issuance, inspections are requested by phase as work progresses; approved County plans must be on site, corrections must be cleared through reinspection if needed, and final approval is required at project completion.

If corrective work is not complete when a reinspection is requested, the County handout says a $213.00 reinspection fee must be paid before further inspections. Remote locations may have limited in-person inspection days, and the County also offers virtual and self-inspection options for some work.

Additional Resources

• Building code: For permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026, the County requires compliance with the 2025 California Building Standards Code. The County code adopts the 2025 California Building Code for unincorporated San Bernardino County, and Building and Safety also enforces the California Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy, and Green Building standards in Title 24.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/permits/
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/plan-review/
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/forms-and-applications/
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/inspection-schedules/
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/building-safety-home/permits-and-plan-review-status/
• https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanbernardino/latest/sanberncty_ca/0-0-0-165653
• https://lus.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/IB-0012-2025-Code-Adoption.pdf
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

San Bernardino County Building Permit FAQ

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

The County states permits are required to build, alter, repair, move, or demolish buildings, and for electrical, plumbing, heating, solar, air-conditioning, grading, reroofing, demolition, erosion control, pools/spas, walls/signs, and many other construction activities. Current County permit guidance specifically lists new buildings over 120 square feet, solar, patio covers, enclosed patios, EV charging stations, additions/alterations, pools/spas, carports/garages/barns, fences/block walls over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of footing or any wall supporting a surcharge, onsite grading of 100 cubic yards or more, demolition, erosion control, and wall/monument signs.

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

The minimum permit fee is A $57.00 intake processing fee applies to each permit in the Building and Safety fee schedule; total permit cost is higher depending on permit type.. Fees are calculated as: County building fees are primarily plan review fees plus building permit fees, developed from estimated staff time and project characteristics rather than the usual valuation-based model; many trade permits and miscellaneous items are flat-fee, while major construction fees are based on occupancy/construction type and square footage thresholds.. Plan check fee: Included as a separate component of the County fee structure; plan review fees include the initial review and one resubmittal, and additional resubmittals trigger added plan review fees..

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

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated San Bernardino County, verify zoning and setbacks, and identify the correct permit type in EZOP before preparing submittal documents. 2. Register for an EZOP account, start the appropriate Building application, and upload the required forms, plans, calculations, and supporting documents. 3. County staff reviews the application and plans for code compliance; if corrections are issued, revise and resubmit through EZOP. 4. After approval, pay the invoiced permit fees online or through County payment channels, then obtain permit issuance before starting work. 5. Keep the County-approved plans on site, request inspections through EZ Inspect, EZOP/Accela Citizen Access, or by phone, and obtain final approval/clearance at completion.

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

Typical processing time is The County does not publish a general turnaround for standard building permits on its main permit pages; published timing notes say inspection requests made by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day when capacity allows, and building application/permit extension requests are reviewed in about 5 business days..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 120 square feet, if they have no utilities, stay within minimum setbacks, and are under 14 feet in height; Fences or block walls 6 feet high or less are treated by the County's permit pages as outside the listed permit threshold; Retaining walls 4 feet high or less are treated by the County's current permit page as outside the listed permit threshold if not supporting a surcharge; Onsite grading below 100 cubic yards is outside the threshold listed on the current permit page. Note: County sources say all setbacks still apply whether or not a permit is required. Accessory structures must remain accessory to a legally established primary structure or use with the same owner. The County's public pages are not fully consistent on retaining walls: an older FAQ says permits are required over 3 feet, while the current permit page says over 4 feet measured from the bottom of footing or where supporting surcharge, so applicants should verify the current threshold with Building and Safety for any wall near that range.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspections may be scheduled through EZ Inspect, through Accela Citizen Access / EZOP, (909) 387-8311. Inspection requests received by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day when the schedule is not full..