Avenal, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated City of Avenal. Kings County Community Development is linked by the city as a related outside resource, but the city states that all building permits for Avenal must be submitted through the city's online portal.

Department

City of Avenal Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

919 Skyline Blvd., Avenal, CA 93204

Phone

(559) 401-9854; (559) 386-5766

Email

building@cityofavenal.gov , cityclerk@cityofavenal.gov

Website

https://www.cityofavenal.gov/459/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit with the Building Division FAQ or homeowner guide. Most construction work requires a permit; common exemptions are listed separately below.
2. Prepare a building permit application and supporting plans. The city FAQ says two full plan sets are required and structural plan sets must include a site plan map. The homeowner guide says owner, architect, engineer, applicant, or licensed contractor information is required, along with project type, square footage, and use.
3. Submit through the city's online permit portal. The Building Division page states the city has transitioned to an online permitting system and all building, land use/zoning, and land division permits must be submitted online.
4. Pay plan check fees when plans are required. The homeowner guide states plan check fees are charged before permit issuance.
5. Respond to any corrections and obtain approval from all required departments. The homeowner guide says permits are issued after all required departments approve the plans.
6. Permit is issued to a California licensed contractor or a homeowner. Keep approved plans and the inspection job card at the job site.
7. Request inspections in person, by phone, or online as work progresses, then obtain final approval before occupancy or use.

Source: City of Avenal Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

The city FAQ states that under the California Building Standards Code, no building or structure may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished without first obtaining a permit. The FAQ also states structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work requires a building permit.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Two full sets of plans
• Site plan map for structural plan sets
• Project description
• Square footage and use for new buildings or additions
• Owner, architect, engineer, applicant, or licensed contractor contact information
• Additional engineered plans when required for the scope

Permit validity

Permit applications expire 360 days after filing if no permit is issued; one 180-day extension may be granted. Issued permits expire if work is not commenced within 180 days, if no inspections are made within 180 days, or if no approved inspection is received within 180 days. One written 180-day extension may be granted before expiration.

Building code

The online municipal code section for Building Regulations still shows adoption of the 2010 California Building Standards Code set by Ord. No. 2011-02, including Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Title 24. Separately, the homeowner guide states its information is based on the most current edition of the California Building Code and references the California Residential Code for conventional residential construction. Applicants should confirm the current enforced code cycle with the Building Division before submittal.

Owner-builder

The homeowner guide says a permit may only be issued to a California licensed contractor or a homeowner.

Contractor requirements

The homeowner guide says permits may be issued to a California licensed contractor or a homeowner. The city encourages use of licensed contractors or tradespersons if the applicant is not familiar with construction procedures.

Fees

Plan check fee

Building plan check is 65% of building permit fee. Electrical / plumbing / mechanical plan check is 25% of permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fee per CBC valuation. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are per code valuation plus issuance fee.

Reinspection fee

$90 per hour of inspection for second inspection

Penalty (no permit)

Building without permit is double permit fee.

Payment note

Compliance inspection / certificate of occupancy is $100. Demolition is $50 plus $100 deposit. Relocation permit is at cost. School fees are per RSUSD and paid at the school district.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses up to 120 square feet
• Wood, chain link, and wrought iron fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls without surcharge not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall
• Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter or width ratio not exceeding 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that project no more than 54 inches and do not require additional support
• Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting
• Minor electrical repair work, including lamp replacement or connection of approved portable equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles
• Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and removal or reinstallation of water closets, if the work does not require replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures
• Stopping leaks in drains or vent piping, except where concealed defective piping must be removed and replaced with new material
• Portable heating appliances, portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling units, portable evaporative coolers, and minor mechanical-system part replacement that does not alter approval or create an unsafe condition

Important: The homeowner guide states zoning regulations may still apply even when a building permit is not required, including fence height and location rules. If concealed piping must be replaced with new material, the work becomes new work and a permit is required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• OpenGov portal (online)
• (559) 386-5766 (phone)

Inspection hours

Community Development office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Foundation; concrete slab or underfloor; roof sheathing and shear panel nailing; framing; insulation; lath and or gypsum board; final inspection. The city notes additional inspections may also be required, including pressure tests for water and gas piping and water tests for drainage and sewer piping.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The online municipal code section for Building Regulations still shows adoption of the 2010 California Building Standards Code set by Ord. No. 2011-02, including Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Title 24. Separately, the homeowner guide states its information is based on the most current edition of the California Building Code and references the California Residential Code for conventional residential construction. Applicants should confirm the current enforced code cycle with the Building Division before submittal.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Division page
• Community Development page
• City building regulations / municipal code Title 8
• Building permit FAQ
• Homeowner guide
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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