Modesto, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development)

Street address

1010 10th Street, Suite 3100, Modesto, CA 95354

Phone

209-577-5232; 209-577-5200

Coverage

City of Modesto permits. Projects in unincorporated Stanislaus County are handled by the county planning and building department at 1010 10th Street, Suite 3400.

Online portal

eTRAKiT

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Modesto

City pages state permits are required for most construction requiring building plans to ensure code compliance and life-safety compliance.

Scope of work

Permit?

One-story detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less

Exempt

Fences 7 feet or less in height

Exempt

Exempt One-story detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less
Exempt Fences 7 feet or less in height

Note: Planning setbacks still apply, and some fence or shed exceptions still require planning or building coordination. Other items such as decks, electrical work, and utility upgrades may still require permit review based on permit class.

Required documents

Architectural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and civil plans as applicable
Title 24 energy forms
Truss and structural calculations where applicable
Hazardous materials form and supporting maps or approvals where applicable
Specialized project requirements such as complete ADU plans and calculations before review

Building code: References California Building Code, California Electrical Code, and related California Building Standards Commission content.
Owner-builder: Modesto posts owner-builder guidance explaining owner as worker, owner as contractor, and owner as employer responsibilities and risk before pulling a permit.
Contractor requirements: City guidance strongly recommends use of California-licensed contractors and subcontractors. County-level guidance states permits are for property owners or licensed contractors.

Source: Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Prepare the project submittal package, including plans, engineering, and required spreadsheets or calculations depending on project type.
02

Submit plans online through eTRAKiT or in person.
03

Building Safety reviews for completeness and identifies any additional permit requirements during plan review.
04

Pay plan review and permit fees when plans are approved or accepted.
05

Permit is issued when fees are paid.
06

Request inspections before covering up work.
07

Complete final inspection to close out the project.

Source: Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Modesto building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$242.00

Plan check fee

Plan review (non-structural): $233 per hour at permit issuance. Plan review (structural): $255 per hour at permit issuance.

Permit fee formula

Fee schedule is split by permit class, square footage, permit type, and whether permit or deposit is required. Example residential remodels and additions are flat-tiered rather than fully valuation-based.

Reinspection fee

$216 per hour prior to final

City imposes a 2.4% service fee for credit-card transactions for most online or in-person card payments.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

eTRAKiT (online)
Building Safety counter (in-person)

Inspection hours: Phone hours Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-5:00 PM; office hours 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Expedited appointment windows are 9:30 AM-3:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Inspections are done ground-up in a defined order. Electrical and wiring inspection must be completed before drywall, and work cannot proceed to the next stage without passing required inspections.

Source: Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Modesto permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Modesto, CA? ▸

City pages state permits are required for most construction requiring building plans to ensure code compliance and life-safety compliance.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Modesto, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Modesto, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $242.00. Fees are calculated as: Fee schedule is split by permit class, square footage, permit type, and whether permit or deposit is required. Example residential remodels and additions are flat-tiered rather than fully valuation-based.. Plan check fee: Plan review (non-structural): $233 per hour at permit issuance. Plan review (structural): $255 per hour at permit issuance..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Modesto, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Modesto, CA, follow these steps: 1. Prepare the project submittal package, including plans, engineering, and required spreadsheets or calculations depending on project type. 2. Submit plans online through eTRAKiT or in person. 3. Building Safety reviews for completeness and identifies any additional permit requirements during plan review. 4. Pay plan review and permit fees when plans are approved or accepted. 5. Permit is issued when fees are paid. 6. Request inspections before covering up work. 7. Complete final inspection to close out the project.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Modesto, CA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Modesto, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less; Fences 7 feet or less in height. Note: Planning setbacks still apply, and some fence or shed exceptions still require planning or building coordination. Other items such as decks, electrical work, and utility upgrades may still require permit review based on permit class. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Modesto, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Modesto, CA via: eTRAKiT, Building Safety counter.

last verified April 2026 source Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development) ↗ entry id permits/california/stanislaus/modesto

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Safety Division, City of Modesto (Community and Economic Development) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Modesto

Other jurisdictions in Stanislaus County.