Kerman, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Kerman city limits. Unincorporated Fresno County is handled by Fresno County, not the City of Kerman.

Department

City of Kerman Building Division, within the Community Development Department

Address

850 S Madera Avenue, Kerman, CA 93630

Phone

559-550-0835 (Permit Clerk I on Building Division page); inspections line 559-550-0829

Email

buildingonline@cityofkerman.org

Website

https://cityofkerman.net/164/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project needs a permit with the Building Division. Kerman states permits are required whenever a building or structure, or any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, relocated, removed, converted, or demolished.
2. Prepare the application package. For a typical submittal, Kerman's FAQ says the minimum initial submittal is a project description and plot plan; complete construction plans are often submitted and are generally required for new construction and major remodels.
3. Submit the application to the Building Division and pay application/plan check fees when due. The city provides a Building Permit Application and states applicable plan check fees are paid at the time of application.
4. Complete presite review and agency referrals as required. Kerman's FAQ says staff performs a preliminary investigation, a presite inspection, and referrals to other agencies such as Environmental Health and Public Works when applicable.
5. Respond to plan review comments. The city states a plan checker reviews construction plans for conformance with state building codes, and revisions are often required.
6. Pay issuance fees and obtain the permit after referrals and plan review are complete.
7. Schedule required inspections during construction through the Building Division.

Typical processing time: Kerman says small projects such as reroofs or new electrical service can often be issued the same day as over-the-counter permits. For larger projects, building permits usually take two to three months for a typical project.

Source: City of Kerman Building Division, within the Community Development Department

General Requirements

Kerman states permits are required anytime a building or structure, or any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, relocated, removed, converted, or demolished.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application
• project description
• plot plan
• construction plans for new construction and major remodels
• contractor license information
• workers' compensation declaration or exemption
• owner-builder declaration if applicable
• and any project-specific forms such as reroof, pool barrier, smoke/carbon monoxide verification, subcontractor list, or standard plot/patio plans.

Permit validity

Kerman's public-facing sources reviewed here do not state the general permit expiration period. The city does publish permit extension, reactivation, and reissuance fees, so applicants should confirm the active permit term and extension deadlines with the Building Division before issuance.

Building code

Kerman adopts the California Title 24 Building Standards Code by reference. The city's adopted 2024 Housing Element states that Kerman has adopted the 2022 California Building Code and has not made local amendments that impact residential development.

Owner-builder

Kerman's application includes an Owner-Builder Declaration with options for owners using licensed contractors, mixed owner/contractor work, or owners performing the work themselves or through wage employees, and states the structure is not intended or offered for sale when the owner personally performs the work.

Contractor requirements

The permit application requires contractor license number, class, and expiration date. Kerman also states all contractors working within city limits must obtain a City of Kerman business license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$163 for valuation-based building permits in the $1-$2,000 tier; some listed minor permit types are lower, including residential water heater change-out at $60, residential HVAC change-out at $80, and residential reroof at $120.

Plan check fee

Building plan review fee is 75% of the applicable building permit fee when plan review applies. Separate Planning review fees also apply on listed project types, such as $95 for residential alterations/additions and $189 for new single-family construction.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Kerman uses flat fees for many common permit types and valuation-based formulas for new buildings, additions, tenant improvements, remodels, and stand-alone MEP permits. For example, general building permits are $163 for the first $2,000 of valuation, then increase by schedule; additional plumbing, electrical, and mechanical percentages may apply to combined permits.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee $82 after the first reinspection; after-hours inspection $196 per hour with a two-hour minimum; phased inspection fee $82; permit extension $163; permit reactivation $163 in some cases or 50% to 100% of original base permit fee depending on expiration age; investigation fee for work without permits equals the permit fee in addition to normal permit fees.

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection fee $82 after the first reinspection; after-hours inspection $196 per hour with a two-hour minimum; phased inspection fee $82; permit extension $163; permit reactivation $163 in some cases or 50% to 100% of original base permit fee depending on expiration age; investigation fee for work without permits equals the permit fee in addition to normal permit fees.

Payment note

Permit processing fee of $68 applies. The fee schedule also notes that additional fees may apply for Planning review, technology enhancement, construction and demolition waste review, and fees collected on behalf of other agencies such as the State of California.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences up to 6 feet high are exempt from Kerman zoning setback and building permit requirements, according to the city's FAQ
• Kerman's public Building Division materials reviewed here do not publish a single local handout listing all exempt building work
• Because Kerman adopts the California Title 24 Building Standards Code by reference, additional exemptions generally follow the state code's permit-exempt categories in the adopted California Building/Residential Code, subject to local interpretation by the Building Division

Important: Even if work is building-permit-exempt, separate zoning, encroachment, sewer/septic, public works, or utility approvals may still apply. Kerman specifically notes that other permit requirements may also apply to residential work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Permit portal (online)
• 559-550-0829 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

one day before the requested date; Monday inspections must be requested by Friday before 4:00 p.m.

Inspection hours

Inspections are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Requests must be called in by 4:00 p.m. one day before the requested date; Monday inspections must be requested by Friday before 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: The city does not publish one universal sequence on the inspection page, but states applicants will be informed of required inspections when the permit is issued. The general permit process described by Kerman includes a presite inspection before issuance when applicable and ongoing construction inspections after permit issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Kerman adopts the California Title 24 Building Standards Code by reference. The city's adopted 2024 Housing Element states that Kerman has adopted the 2022 California Building Code and has not made local amendments that impact residential development.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Faq
• Business License Required For Contractor
• Encroachment Permits
• Adu Program
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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