Unincorporated San Jacinto County

Any enclosed structure with 3 or more exterior walls that is larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet, being added to property in San Jacinto County must be permitted through the county development permit process. This is narrower than a general city-style building department and is tied to county development controls, addressing, floodplain, and septic review. The county also requires OSSF permits, utility permits, pipeline permits, and floodplain review where applicable.

Building code

No public countywide general building code adoption was found. Verified local county controls are development permit requirements, subdivision/development regulations, floodplain damage ordinance effective November 19, 2021, and OSSF permitting requirements.

Permit validity

OSSF authorization to construct letters are valid for 1 year from issuance. County OSSF guidance states all permits are valid for one calendar year from the purchase date. If a system is not installed within that period, a new application and new fees are required.

Owner-builder

County development materials allow the property owner or designee to authorize county entry and sign the application. HB 2833 private-inspection procedures applicability should be confirmed at the parcel and project level for unincorporated residential work.

Contractor requirements

County OSSF work requires licensed evaluators, sanitarians or engineers, and installers as described in the county OSSF packet. No county general contractor licensing program was found for ordinary building work.

1. 01
   Determine which county control applies: development permit, floodplain verification/development, OSSF, utility, pipeline, or 911 addressing related development.
2. 02
   For a development permit, assemble the required packet including a current deed in the applicant's name filed with the county clerk, a recent county tax paper in the applicant's name, a survey/as-built/field notes, and a completed signed development permit application.
3. 03
   Add county-required supporting materials if applicable: elevation certificate (floodplain property), current septic inspection from a licensed sanitarian (existing septic system), new survey including needed easements and/or variances (newly divided property), notarized owner permission statement (structure on property not in applicant's name).
4. 04
   For commercial development, plans must be reviewed and approved by the county engineer and precinct commissioner before filing a commercial permit.
5. 05
   Submit the packet to the county permit office.
6. 06
   Wait for individual case-by-case verification. The county states the process takes about 7 to 10 working days.
7. 07
   After approval, the county issues the development permit and then provides 911 addressing and utility permitting information tied to that approval.
8. 08
   For OSSF permits, obtain the development permit and/or official 911 address first, then submit the OSSF packet. Do not install until the county has approved the permit and issued authorization to construct.
9. 09
   For OSSF construction inspections, the installer must notify the permitting office at least 5 days before the construction date, and all excavations must remain open until the inspection is completed.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 working days for development permits and OSSF verification

Source: San Jacinto County Permit Department and 9-1-1 Addressing ↗

County page directs applicants to contact the office for correct pricing before making online payment through Certified Payments, Bureau Code 6923535

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

• County permit office for OSSF inspection scheduling (phone)

Scheduling deadline

For OSSF work, installer must notify the office at least 5 days before the construction date

Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with staff in the field Friday afternoon

Typical sequence: County development review is case-by-case. For OSSF, the county requires pre-construction approval, authorization to construct, field inspection with excavation left open, then issuance of a notice of approval letter if approved. Floodplain verification uses the county form through the Office of Emergency Management / Flood Plain Administrator.