Orland, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building permits and inspections within the incorporated City of Orland; work outside city limits is generally handled by Glenn County rather than the city.

Department

City of Orland Building Department

Address

815 Fourth Street, Orland, CA 95963

Phone

(530) 865-1606

Email

orlandbuilding@cityoforland.com

Website

https://www.cityoforland.com/building-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel and any planning or zoning constraints with the City of Orland Planning Department and parcel lookup tools before filing.
2. Submit the building permit application online through the iWorQ portal or use the posted PDF application form.
3. Upload or deliver the required supporting documents. The city's forms page posts CALGreen checklists, construction waste forms, special inspection forms, solar forms, roofing details, smoke and carbon monoxide affidavit forms, and owner-builder forms commonly needed for plan review.
4. Pay plan review charges at submittal. A city agenda packet for Orland's building-services consultant states the city collects plan review costs from the applicant when plans are submitted.
5. Respond to plan-check corrections if requested. The same fee exhibit states plan review includes the initial review plus two rechecks.
6. Pay the building permit fee before permit issuance. The city consultant exhibit states building permit fees are due before the permit is issued.
7. Call the Building Department to schedule required inspections during construction, then complete final inspection and closeout.

Source: City of Orland Building Department

General Requirements

Orland states its Building Department is responsible for construction, remodeling, and demolition activities and enforces building, mechanical, energy, plumbing, electrical, housing, and related codes. The city's permit portal accepts Building, Demolition, Electrical, Manufactured Home, Mechanical, Plumbing, Sign, and Solar Energy applications.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Project description and valuation
• Owner, applicant, and contractor information
• Contractor state license information or owner-builder declaration
• CALGreen checklist
• Construction waste management forms
• Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide affidavit
• Special inspection form where applicable
• Project-specific plan sets and details such as roofing or solar/PV documents

Permit validity

The city pages reviewed do not publish a separate local expiration handout. Because Orland adopts the California building code framework, applicants should confirm permit life with the Building Department, but California Chapter 1 rules generally expire permits if work is not started within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days unless extended by the building official.

Building code

Orland City Council materials show adoption of the 2022 California Building Code by Ordinance 2022-06 on December 20, 2022. The California Building Standards Commission states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026 statewide.

Owner-builder

The city posts a dedicated owner-builder handout and requires an owner-builder declaration if the owner, rather than a licensed contractor, is pulling the permit. The application cites the California owner-builder exemptions in Business and Professions Code section 7044.

Contractor requirements

If a contractor is taking out the permit, the city application requires the contractor's name, phone, project manager, California state license number, license class, and expiration date. The form also cites Business and Professions Code section 7031.5 requiring the applicant to state whether they are licensed or exempt.

Fees

Plan check fee

The consultant fee exhibit says plan review includes the initial review plus two rechecks; all plan review services are subject to a 2-hour minimum fee.

Permit fee formula

Publicly posted materials indicate plan review costs are collected at submittal and permit fees are paid before issuance. The consultant fee exhibit lists "Plan Review Percentage Cost: 60%" and "Plan Review Hourly Cost: $110 Non-Structural Review," which appears to be the plan-review basis used for consultant services rather than a simple public-facing permit-fee handout.

Payment note

Orland directs applicants to pay building permits through its non-utility online payment portal or in person at City Hall. The city says it does not accept payments by phone.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Orland Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (530) 865-1606 (phone)

Inspection hours

Inspection services are available Monday through Thursday, with Friday inspections by appointment only.

Typical inspection sequence: The city does not publish a sequence chart on its main page, but applicants should expect inspections to follow the normal progression for the scope of work, such as foundation or slab, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation or lath as applicable, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Orland City Council materials show adoption of the 2022 California Building Code by Ordinance 2022-06 on December 20, 2022. The California Building Standards Commission states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026 statewide.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Planning Site
• Contact Us
• Make a Payment
• California Building Standards Commission
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Glenn County