Unincorporated Trinity County

Construction in unincorporated Trinity County is generally permit-based unless an ordinance exemption applies.

• Exempt Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less used for storage only
• Exempt Fences 7 feet high or less, subject to zoning and standards
• Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet high or less
• Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade with a capacity of 5,000 gallons or less and a height-to-diameter ratio of 2:1 or less
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Exempt Swings and playground structures
• Exempt Window awnings within projection limits that do not require additional support
• Exempt Decks 200 square feet or less and not more than 30 inches above grade
• Exempt Conditional agricultural building exemptions subject to letter-of-intent review and clearance

Note: Exempt work can still require zoning or related approvals. Plumbing and electrical work for agricultural exempt structures still requires applicable permits, and any ambiguous project should be confirmed with the Building Division before work begins.

Building code

Applicable California Building Code year as required by the county permit packet, plus CalFire fire-safe and local fire-safe requirements.

Permit validity

Permits are deemed revoked if work has not started or is paused for 180 days without extension or communication.

Owner-builder

The county uses an owner-builder packet. The owner remains the legal point of responsibility unless the permit is filed by a licensed contractor, and owner-builder permits can trigger additional legal and employment obligations.

Contractor requirements

Contractors are required to be California licensed and bonded. Permit forms and the owner-builder declaration reference CSLB requirements.

Source: Trinity County Building Division, Community Development Department ↗

1. 01
   Download the building permit application and planning review checklist.
2. 02
   Prepare the required package, including project description, APN, site plans with square footage and setbacks, building plan dimensions and heights, and any project-specific supporting sheets.
3. 03
   Submit 3 sets of plans and required site maps to the Building Division following county instructions.
4. 04
   Include the required plan review fee deposit with the plans; building plans are returned only after minimum requirements are met.
5. 05
   Wait for permit review, which the county states can take up to 6 weeks after a complete submittal.
6. 06
   Do not start construction until the permit is issued.

Typical processing time: Up to 6 weeks after complete submittal.

Source: Trinity County Building Division, Community Development Department ↗

The county states it accepts personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, credit cards, and exact cash, and does not make cash change.

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

• 530-623-4890 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Same-day inspections generally require requests before 8:00 AM.

Inspection hours

Daily, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation, underfloor plumbing, roof sheathing nailing, 4-way inspection for framing and rough trades, insulation, lath or wallboard, and final inspection leading to certificate of occupancy.

Source: Trinity County Building Division, Community Development Department ↗