Calaveras County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties within unincorporated Calaveras County. Calaveras County Building Department is the permit authority for county territory outside incorporated jurisdictions; it is not the permit authority for the incorporated City of Angels Camp.

Department

Calaveras County Building Department

Address

891 Mountain Ranch Road, Building E, San Andreas, CA 95249

Phone

(209) 754-6390

Email

buildingweb@calaverascounty.gov

Website

https://building.calaverasgov.us/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel and project constraints first using county resources such as Know Your Zone, Fire Prevention, County Code, and GIS tools, and identify any Public Works, Caltrans, utility, environmental, or historic-resource clearances that may be required.
2. Prepare the application package, which commonly includes an Application for All Permits, site plan, project valuation, waste management and recycling plan, and project-specific plans, calculations, and energy documents.
3. Submit through the Online Permit Center or work with the Building Department counter for projects that are not fully handled online.
4. Pay the required submittal and plan review fees.
5. Respond to corrections or requests for missing information and provide revised documents if required.
6. Obtain permit issuance, keep the permit active, and schedule required inspections through the portal, inspection request form, or inspection line.
7. Complete final inspection and close out the permit record.

Source: Calaveras County Building Department

General Requirements

Permits are required for most new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, reroofs, and regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work unless a specific exemption applies.

Required Documents

• Application for All Permits
• Site plan
• Scope of work
• Project valuation
• Waste management and recycling plan
• Project-specific supporting documents such as truss calculations, Title 24 energy forms, engineering calculations, and complete construction plans

Permit validity

The reviewed county pages did not publish a separate local expiration handout. California building code rules generally deem an application abandoned if it is not pursued for 180 days, and a permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 12 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement, unless extended by the building official.

Building code

2025 California Building Codes

Owner-builder

The county's permit application packet includes a required Owner-Builder Declaration that tracks California Business and Professions Code Section 7044 and requires the applicant to state the basis for any owner-builder exemption and acknowledge the related legal responsibilities.

Contractor requirements

The permit application requires either a licensed contractor declaration or a signed basis for exemption. The Building Department links directly to the Contractors State License Board for license verification, and the electronic inspection program is limited to licensed contractors in good standing.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$137

Plan check fee

Many permit categories show a plan-check or submittal amount due at filing equal to about 50 percent of the listed base fee. Example: single/two-family dwelling base fee $4,974, due at submittal $2,487.

Permit fee formula

Mostly flat base fees by permit type, with separate due-at-submittal amounts for many permit categories and additional school fees, fire district fees, agency review fees, or hourly charges where applicable.

Penalty (no permit)

Penalties can apply, and county fee estimates expressly exclude penalties.

Payment note

Permit fees can be paid online through the Online Permit Center. The posted fee schedule shows some over-the-counter permit types with separate online and counter pricing, so applicants should verify the current payment path and total before checkout.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not more than 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in measured height unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways that are not on expansive soil and do not cross over basement or story-below areas
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches and do not require additional support in Group R-3 or U occupancies
• Certain deck platforms not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route

Important: Permit exemptions do not authorize code violations or override zoning, fire, grading, access, encroachment, utility, environmental health, or other outside-agency approvals. Separate permits may still be required for access, utilities, septic, or fire-related improvements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online Permit Center (online)
• Building Inspection Request Form (online)
• (209) 754-6390 ext. 3 (phone)
• (209) 754-6390 (phone)
• buildingweb@calaverascounty.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections depend on the approved scope. Applicants may schedule inspections online and, for some small contractor-only permit types, may use the Electronic Inspection Program for reroofs, water heaters, simple HVAC replacements, generators, water and sewer service work, demolition of residential structures, and qualifying roof-mounted solar projects.

The county's electronic inspection standards reserve the right to perform field inspections and remove contractors from the expedited program for noncompliance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Codes
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Department Forms and Documents
• Pre-Approved Plans Packet
• Fire Prevention
• County Code
• GIS Open Data Portal
• Know Your Zone
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement