Susanville, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City of Susanville Building Division handles building, demolition, plan review, and inspections within Susanville city limits. Lassen County Planning and Building Services is the separate authority for unincorporated Lassen County areas outside the city.

Department

City of Susanville Building Division

Address

66 North Lassen Street, Susanville, CA 96130

Phone

(530) 252-5118

Email

rmcelrath@cityofsusanville.org

Website

https://www.cityofsusanville.gov/196/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and land-use compliance with the Planning Division before building plan review if the project involves a land-use approval or change of occupancy or use.
2. Complete the City building permit application and identify whether the permit will be issued to a licensed contractor, authorized agent, or owner-builder.
3. Submit the application at the Building and Planning counter at City Hall.
4. Provide required plans and supporting documents. For new construction, the City checklist calls for a completed application, owner-builder verification if applicable, four plan sets, three fire sprinkler plan sets, a flash drive of plans, site plans, energy calculations, and truss or structural calculations as applicable.
5. Pay plan review and permit fees. The City states plan check fees are 65% of the permit cost, and building permit fees are based on the City's fee schedule and construction valuation.
6. Obtain outside approvals required before permit issuance when applicable, including sewer connection approval, Public Works right-of-way encroachment permit, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and drive approach deposit, school fee forms, and mitigation impact fee forms.
7. Call the Building Division to schedule inspections during construction, then obtain final approval before occupancy.

Source: City of Susanville Building Division

General Requirements

Susanville requires a building permit to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, or demolish a building or structure, including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical modifications. The City FAQ also lists new construction, additions, remodels, repairs, decks and patios, garage conversions, retaining walls, window replacement, fire and wood stove replacements, roofs, and siding as examples requiring permits.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Owner-builder verification if applicable
• Plan sets
• Site plans
• Fire sprinkler plans where applicable
• Energy calculations
• Truss calculations where applicable
• Structural calculations where applicable
• Outside agency approvals before issuance when required

Permit validity

The permit becomes invalid unless work starts within 180 days after issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Extensions must be requested in writing with justifiable cause.

Building code

Susanville Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 adopts the California Building Standards Code, 2022 Edition, including the 2022 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fire Codes with specified appendices and local amendments.

Owner-builder

The application includes owner-builder declarations for owners performing all or part of the work themselves or exclusively contracting with licensed contractors.

Contractor requirements

If the permit is issued to a contractor, the contractor must provide California license information, classification, workers' compensation status, and City of Susanville business license information on the application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$64.00 minimum building permit fee; $129.00 minimum permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits

Plan check fee

Generally 65% of the building permit fee; expedited plan review is $193.00; additional outsourced structural review fees may apply.

Permit fee formula

Building permit cost is based on current construction valuation using actual contract price or current ICC valuation data, with separate fee schedule items for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing fixtures and items.

Trade permit fee

$129.00 minimum permit fee for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits; the fee sheet also lists a $54.00 application fee per trade.

Reinspection fee

$87.00

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without a required permit is subject to double permit fees under Municipal Code Section 15.04.150.

Payment note

The fee sheet also lists SB 1473 green building fees, SMIP fees, fire department application and plan check fees, an engineering review deposit, parkland dedication fees for new residential construction, and possible additional fees in Skyline Terrace and parts of Riverside Drive.

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 not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Oil derricks
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings meeting the City's dimensional and occupancy limits
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high

Important: The City says to call the Building Department when in doubt. Its FAQ states a double penalty applies if work requiring a permit is performed without one, and this also applies to new signs and modifications to existing business or advertising signs or signage.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (530) 252-5118 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The City's inspection record lists setbacks and grading; foundation items such as footing, forms and walls, slab, and grout; groundwork and underwork items such as plumbing, electrical, underfloor and joists, and mechanical; framing items including shear nailing and hold-downs, framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and ducting, and fire sprinklers; then wall covering items such as insulation, lath or drywall, exterior plaster, and roofing, followed by finals.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Susanville Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 adopts the California Building Standards Code, 2022 Edition, including the 2022 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fire Codes with specified appendices and local amendments.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Susanville Municipal Code Title 15
• Susanville Municipal Code Chapter 15.04
• Building permit FAQ
• Building Division page
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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