City of Etna

New construction, additions, remodeling, and repairs to electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems; examples include demolition, new dwellings or buildings, room additions, enclosures, decks and patios, garage conversions, retaining walls over 4 feet, water heaters, fences over 6 feet, skylights, structures over 120 square feet, re-roofing, and swimming pools or spas.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical components
• Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
• Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge
• Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with aspect ratio not over 2:1
• Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
• Exempt Interior finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
• Exempt Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
• Exempt Swings and playground equipment
• Exempt Small window awnings within code limits
• Exempt Decks up to 200 square feet, up to 30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required exit

Note: Other permits may still be required for fencing, design review, historic or preservation areas, and floodplain work.

Building code

Current California Building Code with no additional local CBC amendments noted in Etna housing documentation.

Owner-builder

California owner-builder warning requirements apply, and the permit holder assumes responsibility if acting as owner-builder.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must be licensed and bonded, and the agency verifies CSLB status before permit issuance.

Source: City of Etna Public Works ↗

1. 01
   Obtain the building permit application forms from the county or city document links.
2. 02
   Complete all required form fields, print, sign, and submit.
3. 03
   Submit the application package for city review; Etna handles reviews internally for Etna permits.
4. 04
   The city completes the needed interagency review steps internally instead of county routing.
5. 05
   Department staff review plans and required documents.
6. 06
   Obtain any required supplemental permits, including a Floodplain Development Permit where applicable.
7. 07
   Permit can be issued after plan check and required approvals are complete.

Typical processing time: No current city-specific processing SLA was published; older Etna housing documentation says ministerial review is about two to three weeks and CUP or zone changes may take one to two months or longer.

Source: City of Etna Public Works ↗

School development fees are handled directly with school districts and must be paid before permit issuance.

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

• 530-842-8270 (phone)

Inspection hours

City office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM; building contact office is listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation, concrete slab or underfloor, framing, insulation, lath or wallboard, and final inspection.

Source: City of Etna Public Works ↗