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§ CA San Luis Obispo County
City building permits

City of Paso Robles

How to apply for a building permit in City of Paso Robles, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles

Street address
1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone
805-237-3850 (Building Division); 805-227-7276 (City Hall); inspection line 805-227-7222
Email
building@prcity.com
Coverage
Applies to projects in the City of Paso Robles.
Online portal
Paso Permits
Paso Permits (Accela)
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Paso Robles

Permits are generally required for structures over 120 square feet and more than one story, or about 8 feet in height. One-story detached accessory sheds or playhouses 120 square feet or smaller generally do not need a permit.

One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds and playhouses under 120 square feet
Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to Group R, Division 3 occupancies with capacity of 5,000 gallons or less and under 24 inches deep
Patio covers that are 10 feet from the structure and under 120 square feet
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds and playhouses under 120 square feet
  • Exempt Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to Group R, Division 3 occupancies with capacity of 5,000 gallons or less and under 24 inches deep
  • Exempt Patio covers that are 10 feet from the structure and under 120 square feet

Note: Even exempt projects must still meet zoning and siting requirements such as setbacks and zoning district rules. Verify parcel-specific conditions with the Planning Division.

Required documents
  • Plans and project documents uploaded through PasoPermits
  • CAL Green Recycling Requirements Form
  • Landowner Consent Form
  • Legal declaration for contractor or owner
  • List of Sub-Contractors
  • Owner-Builder Verification Form where applicable
Building code
2022 California Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, Green, and Referenced Standards Codes
Owner-builder
A licensed general contractor is not always required, but owner-builder applications require completion and return of an Owner-Builder Verification Form.
Contractor requirements
A general contractor is not automatically required, but California contractor requirements may apply by trade depending on the project.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: New single-family and commercial or industrial projects are listed at 3 to 4 weeks. Express review options include 7 days for single-family remodels or additions under 500 square feet and detached accessory buildings, and 3 days for single-family solar.

  1. 01
    Confirm whether a permit is required, or contact the Building Division if uncertain.
  2. 02
    Prepare required plans and supporting documents and submit them electronically through PasoPermits.
  3. 03
    Proceed through plan review.
  4. 04
    Pay permit and plan-check fees.
  5. 05
    Receive permit approval.
  6. 06
    Request inspections as work proceeds through the inspection line or PasoPermits.
  7. 07
    If an inspection fails, correct the work and re-request inspection.

Typical processing time: New single-family and commercial or industrial projects are listed at 3 to 4 weeks. Express review options include 7 days for single-family remodels or additions under 500 square feet and detached accessory buildings, and 3 days for single-family solar.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Paso Robles building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
The lowest listed permit-related submittal or processing amount in the fee table is $103 for minor residential MPE permits.
02
Plan check fee
City fee sheets state that flat fees include plan check and inspections, and some planning or design line items are billed at $206 per hour.
03
Permit fee formula
Fees are a mix of flat fees by permit type and size. Examples include flat tiers for single-family and residential permits with square-foot and unit-based submittal fees, plus per-hour buildout elements and kW-based solar tiers.
04
Trade permit fee
Minor residential MPE permits start at $103 in the published fee table.

Fees are payable by credit card, eCheck, or check.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Scheduling deadline
Inspection requests must be received by 4:00 PM on the business day before the requested inspection date.
Inspection hours
City business hours listed for the building office are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Projects move from plan review and permit issuance to scheduled building and related trade inspections as needed during construction.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Paso Robles permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
Permits are generally required for structures over 120 square feet and more than one story, or about 8 feet in height. One-story detached accessory sheds or playhouses 120 square feet or smaller generally do not need a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Paso Robles, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is The lowest listed permit-related submittal or processing amount in the fee table is $103 for minor residential MPE permits.. Fees are calculated as: Fees are a mix of flat fees by permit type and size. Examples include flat tiers for single-family and residential permits with square-foot and unit-based submittal fees, plus per-hour buildout elements and kW-based solar tiers.. Plan check fee: City fee sheets state that flat fees include plan check and inspections, and some planning or design line items are billed at $206 per hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Paso Robles, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether a permit is required, or contact the Building Division if uncertain. 2. Prepare required plans and supporting documents and submit them electronically through PasoPermits. 3. Proceed through plan review. 4. Pay permit and plan-check fees. 5. Receive permit approval. 6. Request inspections as work proceeds through the inspection line or PasoPermits. 7. If an inspection fails, correct the work and re-request inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Paso Robles, CA typically run New single-family and commercial or industrial projects are listed at 3 to 4 weeks. Express review options include 7 days for single-family remodels or additions under 500 square feet and detached accessory buildings, and 3 days for single-family solar.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Paso Robles, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds and playhouses under 120 square feet; Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to Group R, Division 3 occupancies with capacity of 5,000 gallons or less and under 24 inches deep; Patio covers that are 10 feet from the structure and under 120 square feet. Note: Even exempt projects must still meet zoning and siting requirements such as setbacks and zoning district rules. Verify parcel-specific conditions with the Planning Division. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Paso Robles, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Paso Robles, CA via: Paso Permits, 805-227-7222. Inspection requests must be received by 4:00 PM on the business day before the requested inspection date..
last verified April 2026 source Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles ↗ entry id permits/california/san-luis-obispo/paso-robles
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Paso Robles before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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