Chowchilla, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City of Chowchilla Building Division handles permits within Chowchilla city limits. Madera County Building Division states that it administers permits in the unincorporated area of the county, so county permitting applies outside the city only.

Department

City of Chowchilla Community & Economic Development Department, Building Division

Address

130 S Second Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610

Phone

(559) 665-8615

Email

BuildingPermits@cityofchowchilla.org

Website

https://www.cityofchowchilla.org/157/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project scope with the Building Division and prepare plans. The City states that before construction can occur, plans must be prepared and submitted for review for compliance with zoning and building regulations.
2. Complete the City Building Permit Application. The form asks for owner, contractor, architect or engineer, permit type, work description, valuation, and project square footage.
3. Submit the completed application and a complete plan set by email to BuildingPermits@cityofchowchilla.org, or submit by regular mail or in person at City Hall.
4. Respond to any plan-check comments. The City notes that its contracted firm may perform plan review depending on the level of review required.
5. Pay permit and plan-check fees before permit issuance. Fees are set by the City Council Master Fee Schedule and may include permit, plan-check, planning review, state surcharges, and recovery fees.
6. Post the permit if issued and call the City to schedule inspections at required stages.
7. Complete final inspection and any corrections before occupancy or final sign-off.

Source: City of Chowchilla Community & Economic Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Chowchilla Municipal Code section 15.06.050 requires a permit before an owner or authorized agent constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, demolishes, or changes occupancy of a building or structure, or installs, enlarges, alters, repairs, removes, converts, or replaces regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application
• Complete set of plans
• Project valuation
• APN and site address
• Owner information
• Contractor information and license number
• Architect or engineer information and license number if applicable
• Permit type
• Work description
• Project square footage
• Zoning, tract, and lot information
• Applicant signature

Permit validity

The current Chowchilla ordinance adopts the current California Building Standards codes by reference. The City page reviewed does not separately publish a general building permit expiration rule. For electrical permits, Chowchilla Municipal Code section 15.08.300 states the permit becomes void if work is not commenced within 60 days after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Applicants should confirm the current expiration rule that the Building Division is applying to the specific permit type.

Building code

Ordinance No. 517-23 updated Chowchilla Title 15 to adopt the current version of California Code of Regulations Title 24 by reference, including the California Building Standards Administrative Code, Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Fire Code, Green Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards Code.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder applications are allowed; the City application includes an owner-builder option. Under CSLB guidance, an owner-builder is exempt from contractor licensure in limited circumstances, but assumes full responsibility for the project and may become an employer if using unlicensed labor.

Contractor requirements

The City application requests the contractor license number. CSLB states that in California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or contracts for work valued at $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must hold a current CSLB license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$112.00 for certain miscellaneous permits such as gas line replacement, domestic water line replacement, temporary power, some backflow devices, HVAC change-outs, and water heater/basic mechanical permits

Plan check fee

Commonly 65% of the building permit fee for many building permits; custom homes are listed at 65%, and master plan initial submittals are listed at 90% of the building permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. New dwellings and many commercial permits are charged per square foot; additions, remodels, conversions, reroofs, pools, signs, and miscellaneous permits use flat minimums and or formulas tied to estimated review and inspection time; some residential work also adds a valuation-based state tax component.

Reinspection fee

Additional inspection fees may be charged for a second failed inspection. Unusual or unforeseen projects may be billed at $112.00 per hour.

Penalty (no permit)

Additional plan review fees may be charged if estimated review time is insufficient or plans require a second back-check. The City also uses administrative citations for municipal code violations.

Payment note

The permit application states all fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated. The online Municipal Online Services site requires sign-in, but the City building page still directs permit application submittals by email, mail, or in person.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY 2025-26).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Chowchilla Community & Economic Development Department, Building Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (559) 665-8615 ext. 787 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: The City does not publish a universal sequence online. Based on the permit type and adopted California code framework, inspections commonly occur at foundation or slab, rough framing and rough MEP trade stages, and final inspection; pools, reroofs, solar, and tenant improvements follow their own trade-specific sequences. Confirm the required sequence with the assigned inspector.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ordinance No. 517-23 updated Chowchilla Title 15 to adopt the current version of California Code of Regulations Title 24 by reference, including the California Building Standards Administrative Code, Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Fire Code, Green Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards Code.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Permit Application
• Master Fee Schedule FY 2025-26
• Chowchilla Municipal Code
• CSLB Permit Requirement Overview
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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