Wasco, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated City of Wasco. Kern County Public Works handles building permits in unincorporated county areas outside city limits.

Department

City of Wasco Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

746 8th Street, Wasco, CA 93280

Phone

661-758-7250

Email

wascocd@cityofwasco.org

Website

https://cityofwasco.org/204/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Go to the City of Wasco permit portal and choose the correct permit category.
2. Review the available knowledge/forms for your permit type, complete the required paperwork, and prepare digital uploads.
3. Create a MyGov collaborator account if you do not already have one, validate your email, request access to the City of Wasco, and start a new permit request.
4. Enter project information and upload plans and supporting documents. The city notes that hard-copy plans may still be required depending on the project.
5. Pay applicable fees and respond to correction items if the city issues them during review.
6. After permit issuance, keep the approved permit and plans available on site and call the Building Department to schedule inspections.
7. Initial plan check typically takes about 2 to 3 weeks, but timing varies by project.

Typical processing time: Initial plan check typically 2 to 3 weeks

Source: City of Wasco Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Wasco's FAQ says permits are needed for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, structural work, and window replacement. California permit law also generally requires a permit before a building or structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.

Required Documents

• The city's online instructions require the applicant to upload the permit-specific paperwork and plans. Hard-copy plans may still be required depending on project type. Wasco also publishes a Construction Permit Declaration, Owner Builder-Property Owners Package, Solar Permit Checklist, and trade-specific Title 24 forms for some permit types.

Permit validity

Wasco's published code-update FAQ states permits expire if work is not started within 1 year of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. Plan-check applications expire if a permit is not issued within 180 days after initial submittal.

Building code

Wasco's 2022 Building Code Update FAQ states the city enforces the 2022 California Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2023, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Energy, and Green Building Standards Codes.

Owner-builder

Wasco publishes an Owner Builder-Property Owners Package and a Construction Permit Declaration for applicants using the owner-builder path. California CSLB warns that an owner-builder who signs the permit application assumes full responsibility for all phases of the project.

Contractor requirements

Under California CSLB guidance, anyone contracting for work that requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials generally must hold a current CSLB license unless a statutory exemption applies.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$160 for valuation-based building permits; many common over-the-counter permit types have flat fees above that amount

Plan check fee

65% of the building permit fee when applicable; expedited plan check is billed at actual third-party cost plus a 25% administrative fee

Permit fee formula

Both. Wasco charges flat fees for common permit types such as water heaters, reroofs, patios, and solar, and valuation-based permit fees for new buildings, additions, tenant improvements, remodels, and combined MEP permits.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is $80 starting with the 3rd inspection attempt; missed inspection fee $80; work without permits is charged at 2x the permit fee/investigation fee

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection fee is $80 starting with the 3rd inspection attempt; missed inspection fee $80; work without permits is charged at 2x the permit fee/investigation fee

Payment note

Permit processing fee $80 applies; technology fee is 5% of permit fee; general plan maintenance fee is 7% on applicable permits; credit card transaction fee is 3% for credit card payments over $2,000

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Residential fences no higher than 4 feet in the front yard do not require a building permit.
• Residential fences in rear and side yards generally do not require a building permit if they are not concrete block or brick wall fences and do not exceed 7 feet in height.
• The city specifically says permits are required for concrete block or brick wall fences over 6 feet in rear or side yards.

Important: Wasco's public FAQ does not publish a full citywide exempt-work list online. The city directs applicants to call 661-758-7250 if they are unsure whether their project needs a permit. Fence rules above apply to residential fencing only, and chain link fencing is not permitted in residential zones.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 661-758-7250 (phone)
• instructions PDF (online)

Inspection hours

Morning or afternoon inspections, Monday through Thursday only. For same-day morning inspections, call before 7:30 a.m. For same-day afternoon inspections, call before 11:30 a.m.

Time windows

Morning or afternoon inspections, Monday through Thursday only. For same-day morning inspections, call before 7:30 a.m. For same-day afternoon inspections, call before 11:30 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: The city's public FAQ and instructions do not publish a standard sequence online; sequence depends on the scope of permitted work and the approved inspection card/policy for the project.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Wasco's 2022 Building Code Update FAQ states the city enforces the 2022 California Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2023, including the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Energy, and Green Building Standards Codes.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• public.mygov.us/wasco_ca/module?module=gis
• www.cityofwasco.org/DocumentCenter/View/3090/Master-Fee-Schedule-FY-2025-26-PDF
• www.cityofwasco.org/DocumentCenter/View/2936/Information-and-Inspection
• www.cityofwasco.org/DocumentCenter/View/3139/Construction
• www.cityofwasco.org/DocumentCenter/View/215/Owner
• www.cityofwasco.org/DocumentCenter/View/212/2022-Building-Code-Update-Frequently-Asked-Questions-PDF
• CSLB License Lookup
• CSLB License Lookup
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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