Taft, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City of Taft Building Department handles permitting within Taft city limits. The city's FAQ says Ford City, Taft Heights, South Taft, Valley Acres, Dustin Acres, and surrounding unincorporated areas should contact Kern County Planning and Building Services at (661) 862-8650.

Department

City of Taft Building Department

Address

209 E. Kern St., Taft, CA 93268

Phone

(661) 763-1222

Website

https://www.cityoftaft.ca.gov/pview.aspx?catid=0&id=5393

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit with the City of Taft Building Department. The city requires permits for most construction, additions, alterations, repairs, moves, demolitions, and regulated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and heating work.
2. For minor miscellaneous permits, go to City Hall during business hours and complete the permit application; the city says it may issue those permits after collecting fees.
3. For additions, remodels, patio covers, and new construction, submit a building permit application plus at least two sets of plans, calculations, and specifications as required.
4. Planning reviews the submittal first for zoning and setback compliance.
5. After planning approval, the Building Department performs structural plan check and building-code review. The city notes minor projects may not require plan check.
6. Obtain any required outside-agency approvals. The city notes other departments may be involved and additional items may be required.
7. After approvals, pay required fees, receive the approved plans, and keep the stamped approved set on the job site for the duration of construction.
8. Schedule inspections at least 24 hours ahead by phone and do not cover work before inspection.
9. Complete final inspection so the permit can be finalized; otherwise the permit can expire.

Typical processing time: No firm turnaround time is published on the City of Taft pages reviewed.

Source: City of Taft Building Department

General Requirements

The city says a permit is required for construction that physically changes or adds structures to property, plus work regulated by local codes or ordinances, including new buildings, additions, reroofs, garage conversions, exterior stucco, water-heater replacement, other plumbing fixture replacement, air-conditioning units, new electrical service, rewiring, moving or demolishing a building, and installation of heating equipment such as stoves, wall heaters, and fireplaces.

Required Documents

• Building permit application; at least two sets of scaled plans; site plan; floor plan; structural plans; smoke-detector and electrical information; water-heater and HVAC locations; structural calculations for nonconventional construction and most commercial work; Title 24 energy documents when required; and owner / contractor / design professional contact information. Commercial and multifamily projects must also show disabled-access compliance, and contractors must provide workers' compensation information and a valid contractor license.

Permit validity

The city's FAQ says a permit expires and becomes null and void if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for more than 180 days. It also says a permit without inspections expires after 180 days. Permit extensions are available for good cause, and the current fee schedule lists a $152 permit-extension fee.

Building code

City materials and the November 2, 2022 Planning Commission packet show adoption of the 2022 California Building Standards Code family, including the California Residential Code, Electrical Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Existing Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Referenced Standards Code, and California Administrative Code. The packet also shows the California Fire Code is adopted with appendix chapters and local amendments from Kern County Chapter 17.32.

Owner-builder

No specific owner-builder instruction was located on the City of Taft pages reviewed. The city does state that the property owner is responsible for assuring required permits are obtained.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a valid contractor license and workers' compensation insurance information. Commercial projects and nonconventional construction also require plans and calculations stamped and signed by a California-licensed architect or engineer.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$76 for Section B permit-fee table entries, and $152 on the main valuation-based building permit fee table for projects valued from $1 to $2,000. Many minor permit types also have flat fees, such as $36 for a residential water-heater changeout and $76 for a residential HVAC changeout.

Plan check fee

Generally 50% of the building permit fee when applicable. Plan review is paid at application. The fee schedule says the base includes up to three plan reviews; fourth and later reviews are billed at $152 per hour. Expedited plan review is 1.5x the standard plan check fee.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Minor permit types use flat fees. New buildings, additions, tenant improvements, residential remodels, and MEP permits not listed elsewhere use valuation-based schedules. The main building permit table starts at $152 for $1 to $2,000 valuation, then adds per-$1,000 increments by bracket.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is $76 for the second and later reinspections; missed inspection fee is $76; phased inspection fee is $76 per inspection; after-hours inspection is $182 per hour with a 2-hour minimum; compliance inspection fee is $152; permit extension fee is $152; and investigation fee for work done without permits is equal to the permit fee, in addition to the underlying permit fees.

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection fee is $76 for the second and later reinspections; missed inspection fee is $76; phased inspection fee is $76 per inspection; after-hours inspection is $182 per hour with a 2-hour minimum; compliance inspection fee is $152; permit extension fee is $152; and investigation fee for work done without permits is equal to the permit fee, in addition to the underlying permit fees.

Payment note

The fee schedule states additional permit processing fees apply. It also notes additional fees may apply for planning review, technology enhancement, and fees collected on behalf of other agencies, including the State of California. Permit issuance fee is $43.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Important: The city adds caveats for some exempt items. For retaining walls near property lines and for publicly accessible walks or platforms, applicants are directed to contact the Building Official. The city also notes associated electrical work for prefabricated swimming pools still requires a permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (661) 763-1222 ext. 110 (phone)

Inspection hours

Request inspections at least 24 hours in advance. The FAQ says inspections are first-called, first-served and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays. The Building Department page separately lists public counter hours as Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Time windows

Request inspections at least 24 hours in advance. The FAQ says inspections are first-called, first-served and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays. The Building Department page separately lists public counter hours as Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: The city says to call before covering work. Typical inspections listed are underground plumbing and electrical, footing, foundation, slab, rough framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sheetrock nailing, roof sheathing, gas tests, equipment installation, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City materials and the November 2, 2022 Planning Commission packet show adoption of the 2022 California Building Standards Code family, including the California Residential Code, Electrical Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Existing Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Referenced Standards Code, and California Administrative Code. The packet also shows the California Fire Code is adopted with appendix chapters and local amendments from Kern County Chapter 17.32.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• www.cityoftaft.ca.gov/pview.aspx?catid=0&id=5393
• www.cityoftaft.ca.gov/pview.aspx?catid=0&id=5626
• www.cityoftaft.ca.gov/pview.aspx?catid=0&id=5630
• www.cityoftaft.ca.gov/faqs.aspx?faqcat=10851&id=5395&catid=0
• codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/taftca/latest/overview
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Kern County