Ventura County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Ventura County Building and Safety issues permits and inspections for projects in unincorporated areas; incorporated city projects are handled by the respective city.

Department

Building and Safety Division, Resource Management Agency (RMA), County of Ventura

Address

Ventura County Government Center, Administration Building, 3rd Floor, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009; Ventura Building & Safety office: 800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009; Simi Valley Building & Safety office: 3855-F Alamo St., Simi Valley, CA 93063

Phone

Ventura office: (805) 654-2771; East County office: (805) 582-8064; General Building & Safety contact: (805) 654-2494

Email

building@venturacounty.gov

Website

https://rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/building-and-safety/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Ventura County and that a permit is required.
2. Create or sign in to a Citizen Access account.
3. Submit the permit application and required documents online or at a Building & Safety counter.
4. Building and Safety reviews for required agency clearances, collects fees, and determines permit completeness.
5. The department conducts plan review and agency review where required and issues conditions or corrections.
6. Respond to corrections, update plans, and resubmit if needed.
7. Pay issuance and inspection-related fees, obtain all clearances, and receive permit issuance.
8. Request inspections at each construction phase and obtain final occupancy compliance before use.

Typical processing time: Small maintenance projects or minor improvements can be approved in 20-30 minutes in person. Complete projects often take several months. First review is usually about 3-4 weeks for complete applications, with follow-up reviews in about 1-2 weeks.

Source: Building and Safety Division, Resource Management Agency (RMA), County of Ventura

General Requirements

Most construction projects in unincorporated Ventura County require a permit. Exempt small or minor work may apply, but uncertain cases should be checked against the official exempt-work list before starting work.

Required Documents

• Plans or drawings and supporting technical information scaled for permit submission
• Evidence of required agency clearances such as zoning, fire, or environmental health when applicable
• Fee payment, ownership and contact information, and required lender information when applicable
• Signed permit forms and required declarations by the owner, contractor, architect, engineer, or authorized agent

Permit validity

Permit applications expire after 12 months if not issued. Issued permits become null and void if work does not begin within 12 months or is suspended or abandoned for more than 180 days. Extensions can be granted for good cause in periods up to 180 days.

Building code

Ventura County Building Code, which adopts California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, and Green Building codes by reference, with the 2025 code effective for applications received on or after January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

Owner-built permits may be issued for single-family work when conditions are met. Owner-building with hired labor can trigger employer obligations, and permits are generally denied for speculative owner-built activity intended for early sale. Workers' compensation proof is generally required unless the owner-builder personally performs all work and qualifies as exempt.

Contractor requirements

Contractors' licenses must be valid and provided when work is performed by a contractor. Permit applications generally must be signed by the owner, licensed contractor, authorized agent, architect, engineer, or owner-builder depending on project type.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$71.00 minimum total permit fee

Plan check fee

Plan review fee is generally 85% of the permit fee minus the application fee, subject to code exceptions.

Permit fee formula

Permit fees are valuation-based with valuation tiers, plan review percentages, flat issuance fees, and other add-on fees.

Reinspection fee

$171.00 for excess or unready work and repeated failed correction visits

Penalty (no permit)

Work without a permit can trigger an investigation fee equal to the permit fee amount, with at least the VCBC minimum required by the schedule.

Payment note

Fees are collected during application review and at permit issuance in person and through Citizen Access. Credit cards are accepted where supported by the portal or payment flow.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Small detached accessory sheds up to 120 square feet and up to 15 feet high, subject to conditions
• Fences under 7 feet, except surcharge-bearing or support structures
• Low-height masonry or concrete walls under specified height limits
• Certain platforms, sidewalks, decks, driveways, painting, finishes, awnings, limited windows, and signs
• Certain temporary tents or structures and some agricultural uses

Important: Exemption from permit does not remove zoning, utility, grading, fire, environmental, or other public safety requirements. Work near code thresholds or subject to hillside, fire-zone, or drainage conditions can still require clearances.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 844-405-1846 for SCHEDULE, CANCEL, RESCHEDULE, and RESULTS (text)
• (805) 654-2791 Ventura office (phone)
• (805) 582-8063 Simi Valley office (phone)

Inspection hours

Counter service: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; Thursday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Time windows

Text scheduling provides a requested inspection time window on the morning of inspection.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection sequence is determined by permit type and permit codes, including rough, rough-trade, final, and other phase-specific inspections. County staff typically determine required inspections at first review and issue phase-specific requests as work progresses.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ventura County Building Code, which adopts California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, and Green Building codes by reference, with the 2025 code effective for applications received on or after January 1, 2026.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning Contact
• Ventura County Fee Calculator
• Official Building & Safety Fee Schedule
• Ventura County Building Code FAQ
• Permit Status Information
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Ventura County Building Permit FAQ

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

Most construction projects in unincorporated Ventura County require a permit. Exempt small or minor work may apply, but uncertain cases should be checked against the official exempt-work list before starting work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $71.00 minimum total permit fee. Fees are calculated as: Permit fees are valuation-based with valuation tiers, plan review percentages, flat issuance fees, and other add-on fees.. Plan check fee: Plan review fee is generally 85% of the permit fee minus the application fee, subject to code exceptions..

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

1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Ventura County and that a permit is required. 2. Create or sign in to a Citizen Access account. 3. Submit the permit application and required documents online or at a Building & Safety counter. 4. Building and Safety reviews for required agency clearances, collects fees, and determines permit completeness. 5. The department conducts plan review and agency review where required and issues conditions or corrections. 6. Respond to corrections, update plans, and resubmit if needed. 7. Pay issuance and inspection-related fees, obtain all clearances, and receive permit issuance. 8. Request inspections at each construction phase and obtain final occupancy compliance before use.

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

Typical processing time is Small maintenance projects or minor improvements can be approved in 20-30 minutes in person. Complete projects often take several months. First review is usually about 3-4 weeks for complete applications, with follow-up reviews in about 1-2 weeks..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Small detached accessory sheds up to 120 square feet and up to 15 feet high, subject to conditions; Fences under 7 feet, except surcharge-bearing or support structures; Low-height masonry or concrete walls under specified height limits; Certain platforms, sidewalks, decks, driveways, painting, finishes, awnings, limited windows, and signs; Certain temporary tents or structures and some agricultural uses. Note: Exemption from permit does not remove zoning, utility, grading, fire, environmental, or other public safety requirements. Work near code thresholds or subject to hillside, fire-zone, or drainage conditions can still require clearances.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 844-405-1846 for SCHEDULE, CANCEL, RESCHEDULE, and RESULTS, (805) 654-2791 Ventura office, (805) 582-8063 Simi Valley office.