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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Yuba County
New buildings and structures must obtain a building permit before construction.
One-story detached accessory buildings up to 120 square feet with limited features and no services
Fences 7 feet high or less
Certain decks, walls, plumbing, electrical, and minor repair categories described in Yuba County Ordinance Code section 10.05.410
Minor maintenance and non-structural cosmetic work
Temporary electrical testing and other professional service-related exclusions
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings up to 120 square feet with limited features and no services
- Exempt Fences 7 feet high or less
- Exempt Certain decks, walls, plumbing, electrical, and minor repair categories described in Yuba County Ordinance Code section 10.05.410
- Exempt Minor maintenance and non-structural cosmetic work
- Exempt Temporary electrical testing and other professional service-related exclusions
Note: Exemption from a building permit does not remove zoning, Development Code, Design Review, or other local or state compliance obligations. Even exempt work can still require other permits or approvals.
Required documents
- Detailed project description
- Project location and APN
- Legal owner name, address, and phone
- Contractor license number if applicable
- Project valuation
- Building construction plans
- Site plan
- Floor plan
- Elevations
- Structural plans
- Electrical plans
- Building code
- California State Building Standards Code (Title 24), current adopted edition, plus Yuba County Ordinance Code Title X requirements for building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire.
- Contractor requirements
- Permit applications request contractor license information, and ADU guidance states a licensed contractor is needed for construction coordination.
Source: County of Yuba, Community Development & Services Agency Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the work needs permit review. New building and structure work generally requires a permit.
- 02 Prepare a complete permit package for SelfService submission, including a detailed work description, project location and APN, legal owner contact information, contractor license number if applicable, project valuation, and building construction plans.
- 03 Submit the application through the portal and pay required fees.
- 04 County staff reviews the submittal for completeness, conducts technical review, and coordinates with other departments as needed.
- 05 Respond to revision or resubmittal requests if the submittal is incomplete or corrections are required.
- 06 After review is complete and fees are paid, the permit is issued and inspections may be scheduled.
Source: County of Yuba, Community Development & Services Agency Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Yuba County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Building permit and impact fees are tied to project valuation and occupancy or size inputs through the fee-estimate process. For ADUs, there is no development impact fee under 750 square feet, and impact fees apply only to square footage above 750. ADU-related school fees may apply as a per-square-foot development fee for units over 500 square feet.
02
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees are assessed when the inspector determines an inspection request is not ready.
Building permit record copies are billed at $0.25 per page for 8.5 x 11 black-and-white copies.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- SelfService portal (online)
- (530) 749-5440 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Request next-day inspections by 4:00 PM the prior business day. Later requests are scheduled two business days out.
- Inspection hours
- Inspector phone support is typically available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
- Time windows
- Approximate two-hour inspection time window.
Typical sequence: Typical inspection phases include footing or under-slab, pre-slab, under-floor for raised floors, roof or shear wall, rough frame, insulation, gypsum, miscellaneous, and final.
Source: County of Yuba, Community Development & Services Agency Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Yuba County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Yuba County, CA? ▸
New buildings and structures must obtain a building permit before construction.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Yuba County, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Yuba County, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building permit and impact fees are tied to project valuation and occupancy or size inputs through the fee-estimate process. For ADUs, there is no development impact fee under 750 square feet, and impact fees apply only to square footage above 750. ADU-related school fees may apply as a per-square-foot development fee for units over 500 square feet..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Yuba County, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Yuba County, CA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the work needs permit review. New building and structure work generally requires a permit. 2. Prepare a complete permit package for SelfService submission, including a detailed work description, project location and APN, legal owner contact information, contractor license number if applicable, project valuation, and building construction plans. 3. Submit the application through the portal and pay required fees. 4. County staff reviews the submittal for completeness, conducts technical review, and coordinates with other departments as needed. 5. Respond to revision or resubmittal requests if the submittal is incomplete or corrections are required. 6. After review is complete and fees are paid, the permit is issued and inspections may be scheduled.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Yuba County, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Yuba County, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings up to 120 square feet with limited features and no services; Fences 7 feet high or less; Certain decks, walls, plumbing, electrical, and minor repair categories described in Yuba County Ordinance Code section 10.05.410; Minor maintenance and non-structural cosmetic work; Temporary electrical testing and other professional service-related exclusions. Note: Exemption from a building permit does not remove zoning, Development Code, Design Review, or other local or state compliance obligations. Even exempt work can still require other permits or approvals. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Yuba County, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Yuba County, CA via: SelfService portal, (530) 749-5440. Request next-day inspections by 4:00 PM the prior business day. Later requests are scheduled two business days out..
last verified April 2026
source County of Yuba, Community Development & Services Agency Building Department ↗
entry id permits/california/yuba/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with County of Yuba, Community Development & Services Agency Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.