State Building Permits

California Building Permit Guides

Permit authority, application process, fees, and requirements for every county and city in California. Select your county to find your local permit guide.

58 Counties 537 Jurisdictions Updated March 2026

How California Permitting Works

In California, building permits are issued at the local level — by cities for properties within city limits, and by counties for unincorporated areas. There is no single state permit office.

All California jurisdictions enforce the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), but each city and county may adopt local amendments, set its own fee schedules, and operate its own permit portal.

Select your county below, then find your city for the specific permit authority, portal links, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements that apply to your project.

All 58 California Counties

Alameda County 15 jurisdictions → Alpine County 1 jurisdiction → Amador County 6 jurisdictions → Butte County 6 jurisdictions → Calaveras County 1 jurisdiction → Colusa County 3 jurisdictions → Contra Costa County 20 jurisdictions → Del Norte County 2 jurisdictions → El Dorado County 3 jurisdictions → Fresno County 16 jurisdictions → Glenn County 3 jurisdictions → Humboldt County 8 jurisdictions → Imperial County 8 jurisdictions → Inyo County 2 jurisdictions → Kern County 12 jurisdictions → Kings County 5 jurisdictions → Lake County 3 jurisdictions → Lassen County 2 jurisdictions → Los Angeles County 89 jurisdictions → Madera County 3 jurisdictions → Marin County 12 jurisdictions → Mariposa County 1 jurisdiction → Mendocino County 5 jurisdictions → Merced County 7 jurisdictions → Modoc County 2 jurisdictions → Mono County 2 jurisdictions → Monterey County 13 jurisdictions → Napa County 6 jurisdictions → Nevada County 4 jurisdictions → Orange County 35 jurisdictions → Placer County 7 jurisdictions → Plumas County 2 jurisdictions → Riverside County 29 jurisdictions → Sacramento County 8 jurisdictions → San Benito County 3 jurisdictions → San Bernardino County 25 jurisdictions → San Diego County 19 jurisdictions → San Francisco 1 jurisdiction → San Joaquin County 8 jurisdictions → San Luis Obispo County 8 jurisdictions → San Mateo County 21 jurisdictions → Santa Barbara County 9 jurisdictions → Santa Clara County 16 jurisdictions → Santa Cruz County 5 jurisdictions → Shasta County 4 jurisdictions → Sierra County 1 jurisdiction → Siskiyou County 10 jurisdictions → Solano County 8 jurisdictions → Sonoma County 10 jurisdictions → Stanislaus County 10 jurisdictions → Sutter County 3 jurisdictions → Tehama County 4 jurisdictions → Trinity County 1 jurisdiction → Tulare County 9 jurisdictions → Tuolumne County 2 jurisdictions → Ventura County 11 jurisdictions → Yolo County 5 jurisdictions → Yuba County 3 jurisdictions →

Related California Resources

License Requirements Verify your contractor's CSLB license → Contract Template Free homeowner-contractor agreement →

Statewide Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with your local building department before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating California building permits can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from your local permit authority. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.