Hanford, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The Building Division states it performs plan review, permit issuance, and inspections for construction projects located within Hanford city limits; projects outside city limits are generally handled by Kings County.

Department

City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

315-321 North Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230

Phone

559-585-2500; Building Official listed at 559-585-2584

Email

permithelp@cityofhanfordca.com

Website

https://www.cityofhanfordca.com/168/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Complete the City of Hanford building permit application form.
2. Gather the required submittal package for the project type, using the city's permit submittal and plan-check drawing requirement sheets.
3. Submit the complete package through the city's Citizen Self Service or Self-Service Portal.
4. Respond to any city review comments and upload revised materials if requested.
5. After approval, pay permit fees through the portal and proceed with inspections during construction.
6. Schedule required inspections through the Self-Service Portal and obtain final approval to close out the permit.

Source: City of Hanford Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Hanford lists common residential permit-triggering work including room additions, remodeling, covered patios, sheds or storage buildings over 120 square feet, water heater replacement, water treatment equipment, furnace or air-conditioner replacement or repair, new heaters, fireplaces, or inserts, reroofing, residing or stucco, replacement or new windows, new sewer or water lines, new or extended gas piping, wood fences over 7 feet, all masonry fences or retaining walls, garage conversions, and enclosing an existing patio.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Project-specific permit submittal documents
• Plan-check documents
• Commercial, manufactured home, fire permit, or residential submittal checklist as applicable
• Drawing requirements for patios, residential work, or swimming pools as applicable

Permit validity

A building permit expires if work is not commenced within 1 year from permit issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. The Building Official may approve one written extension of up to 180 days if requested before expiration.

Building code

Hanford's Design Requirements & Codes page states the current adopted state codes are the 2022 California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and Energy Codes, plus California State Housing Law provisions identified there.

Owner-builder

The city publishes an owner-builder notice and states a permit may be signed by the legal property owner, a California licensed contractor, or an authorized agent with written authorization. Owner-builders must acknowledge responsibilities before issuance.

Contractor requirements

Hanford states the signature of the legal property owner or a California licensed contractor is required to issue a building permit, and directs applicants to verify licenses with CSLB.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The building fee schedule repeatedly shows permit issuance charges starting at $50.00 for many permit categories; no separate universal minimum permit fee was clearly identified.

Plan check fee

Plan check is typically listed as a separate line item in the fee schedule. The schedule also lists additional plan review beyond the original submittal and two re-checks at $105.00 per hour.

Permit fee formula

Hybrid. Many permits use flat or unit-based charges by scope, square footage, or count; some categories are valuation-based, including residential remodels and miscellaneous repairs.

Reinspection fee

$105.00 per reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

$500.00 or 2 times the permit fee, whichever is greater, for work without permit

Payment note

The city directs applicants to use the Self-Service or Citizen Self Service Portal for permit search and fee payment.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Sheds or storage buildings less than 120 square feet, with wall height of 7 feet or less and height above grade of 10 feet or less, and with no electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work
• Raised wood decks less than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Wood fences less than 7 feet high
• Painting, wallpapering, floor coverings, and similar finish work
• Concrete driveways, sidewalks, or uncovered patios
• Prefabricated swimming pools with walls entirely above adjacent grade and capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons

Important: Hanford states applicants should still contact the Planning Division before starting exempt work to verify zoning compliance. For concrete work in the public right-of-way, the city says an encroachment permit from Public Works is still required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Self-Service Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Portal requests are accepted until 6:30 a.m. on the day of inspection; later requests roll to the next regular business day.

Inspection hours

Inspections are performed between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Hanford's field inspection guide for new single-family dwellings lists a typical sequence of rough plumbing or sewer or water connection, foundation, raised floor, floor nailing, roof or shear, felt and bat, framing, insulation, sheetrock, gas test, shower pan or lath, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Hanford's Design Requirements & Codes page states the current adopted state codes are the 2022 California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and Energy Codes, plus California State Housing Law provisions identified there.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning
• Facts and information
• Inspections
• Building
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Kings County