Colusa County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties within the unincorporated territory of Colusa County. Incorporated cities maintain separate permit authority for properties inside city limits.

Department

Colusa County Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

1213 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932

Phone

(530) 458-0481

Email

jornbaun@countyofcolusa.com

Website

https://www.countyofcolusaca.gov/133/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a portal account; the county's portal help page says this is the first step.
2. Submit the permit application through the online permit portal; the county states all permit applications must be submitted through the portal.
3. Upload plans and supporting documents. Depending on the project, county review may include Planning, Building, Environmental Health, Fire District, and Public Works.
4. If plan check is required, pay the plan check fee at application and route the plans for compliance review.
5. Respond to correction comments if issued, then obtain permit issuance. Simple repair permits may be issued over the counter; projects requiring plans generally go through plan review.
6. Post the permit at the job site, keep approved plans on site, and request inspections through the portal or by phone.

Typical processing time: Plan check review is estimated at approximately 2 to 4 weeks depending on project size and scope.

Source: Colusa County Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

County guidance says permits are required for new buildings; additions; residential work such as decks, pools, water heaters, and patio covers; renovations such as conversions, expansions, and re-roofing; electrical and plumbing systems; heating and air conditioning systems; and any structure over 120 square feet. The county also says the best way to confirm whether a permit is required is to contact the Building Department.

Required Documents

• Permit application submitted through the portal
• Drawings including electrical and plumbing plans
• Truss calculations
• Energy calculations
• Plot plan
• Sprinkler plans when applicable
• Solar plans when applicable

Permit validity

The county's public building pages reviewed do not publish a specific expiration period. County code does state that a paid building permit that is later withdrawn or expired is subject to refund net of county staff and processing costs. Because Colusa County adopts Title 24 by reference, permit validity also follows the adopted California code framework.

Building code

2025 California Building Standards Code, effective January 1, 2026; county code also adopts Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations by reference.

Owner-builder

County code allows a person to perform their own building, plumbing, or electrical work if it is done with permits and in compliance with the chapter. The county's application packet also includes an Owner-Builder Declaration tied to the Contractors' State License Law exemptions.

Contractor requirements

The county's permit application requires either a contractor license declaration or an owner-builder exemption declaration, and cites Business and Professions Code Section 7031.5. The application requests contractor name, license number, class, and workers' compensation information.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$63.00 for total valuation from $1.00 to $1,700.00

Plan check fee

65 percent of the building permit fee when submittal documents are required.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. The county uses Table 1-A permit fees, and valuation includes materials, labor, overhead, and permanent systems/equipment.

Reinspection fee

$47 per hour if the applicant fails to comply with inspection-request requirements; payable before another inspection is scheduled.

Penalty (no permit)

County code notes expired or withdrawn permits are refunded only after deduction of county processing costs.

Payment note

Current public building pages do not clearly state accepted payment methods for general building permits. The county's portal help page includes a "How to Make a Payment" tutorial, so applicants should expect payment handling through or in connection with the portal and confirm details with the Building Department.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less are implicitly outside the county's listed threshold for "any structure over 120 sq. ft." requiring a permit.
• Previously permitted small residential rooftop solar systems do not require a new permit for routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements.
• Existing electric vehicle charging stations do not require new permitting unless modifications materially change the size, type, or components in a way that requires new permitting.

Important: The county does not publish a comprehensive exemption list on its current building pages, and it expressly says the best way to determine permit need is to contact the Building Department. Even when a building permit is not required, zoning, environmental health, fire, floodplain, encroachment, or other approvals may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• OpenGov Permit Portal (online)
• (530) 458-0481 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The current inspection page asks applicants to request inspections at least three to five days in advance. Cancellations must be received before 8:00 AM on the day of the requested inspection.

Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The county's public inspection page does not publish a standard sequence by project type. Applicants must keep approved plans on site and provide the permit number and site information when requesting inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Standards Code, effective January 1, 2026; county code also adopts Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations by reference.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Requirements Page
• Inspection Information
• Building Permit Handout
• Building Permit Application
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement