Arvin, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated City of Arvin. Work in unincorporated Kern County is handled by Kern County, not the City of Arvin.

Department

City of Arvin Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

141 Plumtree Drive, Arvin, CA 93203

Phone

661-854-2822

Email

nsanchez@arvin.org

Website

https://www.arvin.org/162/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create an account in the City permit portal and start the building permit application.
2. Prepare and submit the required plans and supporting documents. The City's public guidance says applicants must provide at least three plan sets for review, and plans must clearly show all proposed work.
3. If the project is commercial or non-conventional construction, use a California-licensed architect or engineer to design and stamp the plans.
4. Wait for plan review. Once approved, keep the stamped approved set on the job site for the duration of construction.
5. Pay permit and related fees before permit issuance and before any charged additional work proceeds.
6. Request inspections during construction and keep approved plans available to the inspector.

Source: City of Arvin Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

The City says a building permit is required for construction that physically changes or adds structures to property or for work regulated by local codes or ordinances, including additions, patio covers, pools, reroofs, garage conversions, new buildings, demolition/moving of buildings, heating equipment, water heater/plumbing fixture replacement, new electrical service, rewiring, and similar work.

Required Documents

• The City publishes plan submittal requirements including site plan, floor plan, structural plans, critical details/connections, electrical plan, plumbing/mechanical plans where required, Title 24 energy documents where required, structural calculations for most commercial and all non-conventional projects, and owner/contractor/design-professional/applicant information. Contractors must provide workers' compensation information and a valid contractor's license.

Permit validity

The public fee schedule does not state the baseline expiration rule on the pages reviewed, but it does list a 1st 180-day extension and a 2nd 180-day extension, so extensions are available.

Building code

Arvin's municipal code defines the "Arvin Building Code" as the current versions of the California Building, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Administrative, Energy, and Green codes and related codes, together with the Uniform Administrative Code, Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and International Property Maintenance Code, as incorporated by reference with local amendments.

Owner-builder

The Building Division publishes owner-builder application materials and notes California owner-builder consumer-protection requirements adopted in 2009. Confirm any owner-builder affidavit or disclosure requirements with the Building Official for the specific project.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a valid California contractor's license and workers' compensation insurance information. For SolarAPP+ projects, the City additionally states the contractor must hold a valid City of Arvin business license and a current California State Contractor's License.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Permit issuance fee is $41.60 for each permit issued; some special miscellaneous permits have their own listed minimums.

Plan check fee

Example in the fee schedule states plan check is 65% of the building permit fee for building permits calculated under the valuation method.

Permit fee formula

General building permit fees are valuation-based using ICC building valuation data and adjusted Uniform Administrative Code tables. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical fees use schedule-based/unit-based tables. Some miscellaneous permits are flat-fee.

Reinspection fee

Administrative fee schedule lists second and subsequent reinspections at $45.00 each. Table-based building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing schedules also list reinspection or special inspection charges at hourly rates, generally $87.50 per hour where applicable. Work done without permits can trigger additional fees, fines, and possible liens.

Penalty (no permit)

Administrative fee schedule lists second and subsequent reinspections at $45.00 each. Table-based building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing schedules also list reinspection or special inspection charges at hourly rates, generally $87.50 per hour where applicable. Work done without permits can trigger additional fees, fines, and possible liens.

Payment note

Fees must be paid in advance or when calculable, before permit issuance, and before additional charged work proceeds. Reinspection fees must be paid before the next requested inspection. The Community Development page also provides a credit card payment request form.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet high
• One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses not exceeding 120 square feet
• Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Platforms, walks, or driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy with pool walls entirely above adjacent grade and capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall and not supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Water tanks supported directly on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons where height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 or U-1 occupancy projecting not more than 54 inches

Important: The City specifically notes associated electrical work may still require a permit, and applicants should contact the Building Official for retaining walls near property lines or for publicly accessible walks/platforms.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online inspection request form at (online)
• 661-854-2822 (phone)

Inspection hours

Building/Community Development public counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and every other Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; closed every other Friday. The City does not publish inspection arrival windows on the pages reviewed.

Time windows

Building/Community Development public counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and every other Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; closed every other Friday. The City does not publish inspection arrival windows on the pages reviewed.

Typical inspection sequence: The City does not publish a standard citywide inspection sequence on the pages reviewed. Sequence depends on scope and permit type; applicants should coordinate required inspection types with the Building Division and have approved plans on site.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Arvin's municipal code defines the "Arvin Building Code" as the current versions of the California Building, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Administrative, Energy, and Green codes and related codes, together with the Uniform Administrative Code, Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and International Property Maintenance Code, as incorporated by reference with local amendments.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• www.arvin.org/225/Permitting-Inspections-Plan-Checks
• www.arvin.org/304/SolarAPP-Permitting
• www.arvin.org/faq
• www.arvin.org/DocumentCenter/View/135/Building-Services-Fee-Schedule-Index-PDF
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Kern County