City Building Permits

Biggs, CA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Biggs, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

California Butte County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Building permits for projects in the City of Biggs are issued by Butte County Building Division under agreement with the city. Biggs separately requires Planning Department review for site-plan-sensitive projects before county permit submittal, and Biggs also handles some city permits directly, including fence permits. Biggs Planning contact: 465 C Street, Biggs, CA 95917; (530) 868-6008; planning@biggs-ca.gov.

Department
Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division
Address
7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965
Phone
(530) 552-3700
Website
https://www.buttecounty.net/252/Building

Online Permit Portal

Open Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

Platform: Accela Citizen Access (ACA) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Application Process

  1. Start with the City of Biggs Planning Department for most development projects. The city states most projects should begin with an email or visit to planning, and projects such as garage conversions, height changes, additions, in-ground pools, footprint changes, and projects affected by city setbacks may need city site plan approval first.
  2. Submit the Biggs site plan review application to the city when required, with one hard copy and one electronic copy of the site plan. City code requires city approval before applying to Butte County for the building permit, and signed site plans must be included with the county submittal.
  3. After city approval, apply to Butte County Building Division through ACA, online or counter submission, or the county upload method identified in county checklists. Submit permit application, plans, and supporting documents.
  4. County staff performs plan check and route reviews. Biggs states site plan reviews are typically completed within 21 business days and the city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County's building page currently shows residential and accessory plan checks running about 3 weeks.
  5. Pay permit and related review fees, satisfy issuance conditions, then print and keep approved plans on site for inspections.
  6. Schedule inspections through the ACA portal. For new construction in Biggs, notify the city when the project is complete so city staff can inspect and send written approval to the county before the county final inspection is requested.

Typical processing time: Biggs site plan review typically within 21 business days; city has up to 30 days to comment. Butte County building plan check page currently shows about 3 weeks for single-family and accessory reviews.

Source: Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division

General Requirements

Biggs states the California Building Code generally requires permits whenever a structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished, with limited exceptions. Biggs specifically lists new homes, additions, remodels, covered patios, wood stoves or fireplaces, furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, pools or spas, all plumbing work, all electrical work, reroofs, sewer work, detached structures over 120 square feet, decks over 30 inches high, and retaining walls over 4 feet high.

Required Documents

  • Biggs site plan review application where applicable
  • One hard copy and one electronic copy of the site plan for city review
  • Permit application
  • Complete plans signed by the designer or licensed professional
  • Structural calculations if applicable
  • Special inspection forms if applicable
  • Grant deed copy
  • Permit fee payment
  • School district approval if applicable
  • Proof of current contractor license
  • Workers' compensation insurance for contractors
Permit validity
Butte County is administering the current 2025 California Building Standards Code cycle for permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026. The county webpages reviewed do not state a separate Biggs-specific expiration rule for standard permits; applicants should confirm the active permit expiration period with Butte County Building Division before filing. Biggs temporary construction water or electrical service for new construction is limited to 6 months unless the city grants an extension.
Building code
Butte County Building states that permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026 are reviewed under the 2025 California Building Standards Codes. County checklists list the 2025 California Residential, Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire, and Wildland-Urban Interface Codes.
Owner-builder
Biggs routes building permits through Butte County. County owner-builder checklists and ordinances show owner-builder permits are available in certain contexts, and contractor-only issuance items apply only when a contractor is used. Verify owner-builder declaration requirements with Butte County for the specific permit type.
Contractor requirements
Butte County requires proof of current contractor's license and workers' compensation insurance at issuance for contractor-filed permits. The county also links applicants to the CSLB contractor search.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
No single countywide minimum building permit fee was clearly stated on the public building page reviewed. Common county fee examples published in 2026 include reroof $233, demolition $233, water heater $115, HVAC $233, roof-mount solar $450, and shed up to 300 square feet $549.
Plan check fee
Included within county permit fee categories or schedule by permit type; verify the exact line item in ACA or with staff for the project scope. Biggs site plan review and final inspection fee is a deposit calculated by building footprint: new construction $0.20/sf; remodel $0.30/sf with a $25 minimum.
Permit fee formula
Butte County uses a schedule of flat or base fees plus square-foot adders by permit type rather than a single published valuation formula on the building page. Biggs separately charges city fees and deposits for utility-related city fees on new construction, plus a site plan review and final site inspection deposit fee.
Penalty (no permit)
Butte County's current master fee schedule includes a Building Permit Investigation Fee of 2x the permit fee and a Failure to Final Investigation Fee of $452. Biggs warns that work started without permits can trigger stop-work action and additional fees.
Payment note
County permit fees are paid through the county process or portal. Biggs requires city fees and deposits, including sewer, water, storm drain, electrical, and parks fees, to be paid at site plan submittal for new construction projects.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Retaining walls or planters 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of footing
  • Decks less than 30 inches high
  • Window coverings
  • Detached or portable accessory structures 200 square feet or less
  • Painting and wallpapering
  • Cabinet replacement
  • Low-voltage lighting
  • Fixture or outlet replacement

Important: Biggs states exempt items still must comply with zoning setbacks and height restrictions where applicable. The city also separately states detached structures over 120 square feet require a permit, so applicants should confirm whether a proposed accessory structure falls under a city zoning or planning review, county building review, or both before relying on an exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Time windows
The county inspection schedule page posts estimated times by day and notes inspectors may arrive up to 1 hour earlier or later than the posted time. The building page says the inspection schedule shows the 2-hour window and inspector name.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence is foundation or footing, slab or under-floor, rough framing with rough plumbing, electrical, or mechanical or 4-way inspection, then final. Biggs requires city staff approval for completed new construction before the county final inspection is requested.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Butte County Department of Development Services, Building Division before applying.

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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 the permit authority listed above. 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.

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