Tulare County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County permits are for unincorporated Tulare County projects (for example, county ADU plans are offered for use in unincorporated areas and city residents are directed to city governments).

Department

Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA), Permit Center / Building & Code Compliance

Address

Government Plaza (RMA Headquarters), 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277; permit center branch office in Porterville at 346 N. Porter Road

Phone

(559) 624-7000 (Permit Center/planner inquiries); (559) 624-7104 (inspection requests)

Website

https://tularecounty.ca.gov/rma/permits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm project eligibility early by speaking with an RMA planner. Call (559) 624-7000.
2. Start permit application in the CSS portal: create an account, verify email, and submit project details and location.
3. For full permits, upload required site plan, construction plans, engineering, and energy calculations.
4. Submit required plans and plansets, including plot plans and complete building plans.
5. Pay required permit and scope-related fees, then request inspections.
6. Do not start work until the permit is issued; the permit holder requests inspections and provides approved plans on site.

Typical processing time: No publicly posted standard permit-processing-time SLA was found. Permit-related help pages repeatedly direct applicants to call Permit Center for schedule, cost, and status details.

Source: Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA), Permit Center / Building & Code Compliance

General Requirements

By law, building permits and inspections are required for new construction, additions, remodeling, and most repairs or alterations.

Required Documents

• 3 plot plans (buildings, well/septic, setbacks, APN)
• 2 complete sets of building plans (foundation, framing, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, cross sections, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, engineering, Title-24 energy calculations)
• Additional driveway or road plans in State Responsibility Area

Permit validity

Not clearly stated on available county pages.

Building code

2025 California Building Codes (Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, etc.); permit review uses county-adopted California Building Codes.

Owner-builder

Only the property owner or a licensed contractor can be issued a permit; homeowners may obtain permits but become Contractor of Record.

Contractor requirements

Contractors applying through CSS must have their license verified by Building staff.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$154.00 minimum submittal fee for most building permit submittals.

Plan check fee

Building permit schedule includes separate plan check and inspection charges per project class.

Permit fee formula

Published fee schedule uses project- and scope-based fees, including permit-type tiers and an SB1473 Building Standards Administration Special fee that increases by $1.00 per $25,000 valuation band above $100,000.

Reinspection fee

Schedule includes reinspection and per-interval inspection charges.

Payment note

County contact sources mention payment by check or credit card, with card convenience fee references in FAQ context; call for current details.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached buildings under 120 sq ft
• Fences 6 ft or shorter
• Oil derricks
• Movable cases, counters, or partitions under 5 ft 9 in
• Retaining walls under 4 ft when not carrying extra load or hazardous liquids
• Small water tanks, certain walkways or platforms, painting, wallpaper or finish work, temporary movie or theater sets, specific window awning limits, and other minor categories listed in the county FAQ

Important: Even when a building permit is not required, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits can still be required, and exemptions do not eliminate other code requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• TCPermits (online)
• (559) 624-7104 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection request information also appears as 24/7 phone availability, with some county pages noting same-day routing windows depending on time of call.

Inspection hours

Permit Center service hours shown as Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: permit issued, permit holder requests inspections, work for each phase is completed before inspection request, conditions from other departments are satisfied, and final inspection must be passed before occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Codes (Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, etc.); permit review uses county-adopted California Building Codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• CSS Help
• Building Department
• Permit Questions
• Encroachment and Transportation Permits
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Tulare County Building Permit FAQ

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

By law, building permits and inspections are required for new construction, additions, remodeling, and most repairs or alterations.

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

The minimum permit fee is $154.00 minimum submittal fee for most building permit submittals.. Fees are calculated as: Published fee schedule uses project- and scope-based fees, including permit-type tiers and an SB1473 Building Standards Administration Special fee that increases by $1.00 per $25,000 valuation band above $100,000.. Plan check fee: Building permit schedule includes separate plan check and inspection charges per project class..

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

1. Confirm project eligibility early by speaking with an RMA planner. Call (559) 624-7000. 2. Start permit application in the CSS portal: create an account, verify email, and submit project details and location. 3. For full permits, upload required site plan, construction plans, engineering, and energy calculations. 4. Submit required plans and plansets, including plot plans and complete building plans. 5. Pay required permit and scope-related fees, then request inspections. 6. Do not start work until the permit is issued; the permit holder requests inspections and provides approved plans on site.

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

Typical processing time is No publicly posted standard permit-processing-time SLA was found. Permit-related help pages repeatedly direct applicants to call Permit Center for schedule, cost, and status details..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached buildings under 120 sq ft; Fences 6 ft or shorter; Oil derricks; Movable cases, counters, or partitions under 5 ft 9 in; Retaining walls under 4 ft when not carrying extra load or hazardous liquids; Small water tanks, certain walkways or platforms, painting, wallpaper or finish work, temporary movie or theater sets, specific window awning limits, and other minor categories listed in the county FAQ. Note: Even when a building permit is not required, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits can still be required, and exemptions do not eliminate other code requirements.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: TCPermits, (559) 624-7104. Inspection request information also appears as 24/7 phone availability, with some county pages noting same-day routing windows depending on time of call..