San Dimas, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of San Dimas building permits for work within San Dimas city limits; separate outside-agency approvals may also be required depending on project scope.

Department

City of San Dimas Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

245 E Bonita Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

Phone

Building & Safety 909-394-6260; Planning 909-394-6250; main city line 909-394-6200

Email

building@sandimasca.gov

Website

https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit using the city permit guide and project handouts. Most construction, alteration, repair, replacement, addition, demolition, or system changes require a permit. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/when_do_i_need_a_permit.php and https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Permits_Needed.pdf?t=202507011003290
2. Prepare the correct application package. San Dimas publishes separate combo, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroof, solar, revision, owner-builder, and contractor declaration forms plus trade-specific handouts. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/forms___handouts.php
3. Submit through the Accela portal or coordinate with Building & Safety for counter/in-person handling where applicable. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/departments/community_development/building_and_safety/online_permit_center.php
4. Pay plan check and permit fees after intake/review. The fee schedule states building permit fees are valuation based, with plan check and issuance fees added. Source: https://files.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Administrative%20Services/Finance/Schedule%20of%20Fees%20and%20Charges/FEE%20SCHEDULE%2025-26%20ADOPTED.pdf
5. Respond to correction comments if the city requests revisions, then obtain permit issuance before starting work. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/building-plan-review-process.pdf?t=202507011003240
6. Post the job card, call for required inspections, and obtain final approval to close out the permit. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Homeowners-guideto-the-building-permit-process.pdf?t=202507011003270

Typical processing time: The city homeowner guide gives sample plan review times of about 10 to 15 working days for room additions under 500 square feet and 15 to 20 working days for larger room additions, second-floor additions, and small houses. Source: https://www.sandimasca.gov/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Building%20and%20Safety/Forms%20and%20Handouts/Homeowners-guideto-the-building-permit-process.pdf?t=202507011003270

Source: City of San Dimas Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

San Dimas states no building or structure may be constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless a permit is first obtained from the Building Official. The city also separately requires electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits for installation, alteration, repair, replacement, extension, or remodeling of those systems.

Required Documents

• At minimum, the city uses project-specific permit applications plus supporting plans/documents. Published forms include combo permit application, trade permit applications, revision application, owner-builder declaration, contractor declaration, accessibility forms, sample site plan, and multiple project handouts/checklists.

Permit validity

Work must begin and receive an inspection within 180 days of permit issuance, and an approved inspection must occur every 180 days to keep the permit active.

Building code

City sources indicate San Dimas uses the California code cycle adopted by local ordinance; the online permit center states that beginning January 1, 2026, permit applications must use the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Existing Building, and Green Building Standards codes. The codes page also references the prior 2022 California codes.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit the city Owner-Builder Declaration. The form cites California Business and Professions Code section 7044, including the rule that improvements cannot be intended or offered for sale and that if sold within one year, the owner-builder bears the burden of proving the work was not done for sale.

Contractor requirements

A properly licensed California contractor may obtain the permit. The city homeowner guide says contractors must provide identification, current California State Contractor's License, current City Business License, proof of valid workers' compensation insurance, and a letter of authorization if the applicant is not the license holder. The city also requires a signed Licensed Contractor Declaration.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building fee schedule entry BA-01 shows $67.36 for valuation from $701 to $800, plus plan check fee and issuance fee; city trade handouts describe separate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permit processes, so actual minimums vary by permit type and scope.

Plan check fee

The building fee schedule states plan check is generally 85% of the building fee for valuation-based building permits. The fee schedule also includes additional plan check fees for specific categories.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation based. The fee schedule states permit amounts by valuation bracket, then adds a plan check fee and issuance fee. Trade permits use schedule-based fees by fixture/equipment/item.

Trade permit fee

Building permit fees are valuation based. The fee schedule states permit amounts by valuation bracket, then adds a plan check fee and issuance fee. Trade permits use schedule-based fees by fixture/equipment/item.

Reinspection fee

The published Public Works fee schedule shows a reinspection fee line and a penalty of 200% of permit and review fees for working without a permit.

Penalty (no permit)

The published Public Works fee schedule shows a reinspection fee line and a penalty of 200% of permit and review fees for working without a permit.

Payment note

Fees are tied to the adopted annual city fee schedule and are typically assessed after intake/review through the city permitting workflow. Confirm exact totals with Building & Safety before submittal because multiple surcharges and agency review fees can apply.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Fences or block walls less than 6 feet in height, measured from top of footing
• Other work may be exempt only if it falls within the city handout examples and does not involve structural, life-safety, accessibility, or utility-system changes

Important: The city handout is only a general guide. The same handout lists many commonly permitted items including remodels, repairs, demolition, decks, patio covers, reroofing, siding/stucco, window and door replacements, water heater changeouts, HVAC work, electrical alterations, shower/tub enclosure replacements, and water/sewer/gas line work. Verify project-specific exemptions with Building & Safety.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• San Dimas publishes an online inspection/report link at (online)
• 909-394-6260 (phone)

Time windows

The homeowner guide says no work is permitted on Sundays and holidays. The inspection page should be checked for any current daily scheduling windows because the city site publishes inspection handling there.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, job card posting, then inspections at applicable stages followed by final inspection approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City sources indicate San Dimas uses the California code cycle adopted by local ordinance; the online permit center states that beginning January 1, 2026, permit applications must use the 2025 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Existing Building, and Green Building Standards codes. The codes page also references the prior 2022 California codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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