Fort Bragg, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Mendocino County Planning & Building Services administers and enforces building construction regulations in the City of Fort Bragg. The City of Fort Bragg Community Development Department handles local planning, zoning, coastal, and some city review/fee components. City contact: https://www.city.fortbragg.com/departments/community-development, 416 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437, (707) 961-2823, cdd@fortbraggca.gov.

Department

Mendocino County Planning & Building Services

Address

752 South Franklin St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Phone

(707) 964-5379

Email

pbs@mendocinocounty.gov

Website

https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/government/planning-building-services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work is exempt or requires a permit. Fort Bragg building permits are administered through Mendocino County, while city planning, zoning, or coastal approvals may also be required depending on the site and scope.
2. Prepare a complete building permit application. At minimum, the County requires a completed building permit application; over-the-counter permits also require one 8.5 x 11 inch plot/site plan.
3. For projects beyond over-the-counter permits, submit plans and supporting materials, which may include construction plans, Cal Fire approval if applicable, Title 24 energy compliance, engineering calculations, erosion/sediment materials, and outside agency approvals such as fire, air quality, recycling, sewer, or water district approvals where applicable.
4. Submit the package either in person at the County Fort Bragg or Ukiah office, or electronically through eTRAKiT. The County only accepts applications from the property owner as owner-builder, a California-licensed and bonded contractor, or an authorized agent.
5. Respond to correction notices and supplemental requests during review. County guidance says online applications are reviewed in the order received and staff will review a web application within 5 working days for initial follow-up; the broader current plan check process is estimated at 6 to 8 weeks.
6. Pay issuance and remaining fees once approved. County guidance notes eTRAKiT application fees are only a portion of the total cost, and any corrected fees or balance due must be collected at permit issuance before work starts.
7. Schedule inspections during construction and obtain final approval to close out the permit.

Typical processing time: Initial online application review within 5 working days for staff follow-up; current plan check process about 6 to 8 weeks.

Source: Mendocino County Planning & Building Services

General Requirements

Mendocino County states that, except where exempted by the California Building Code or other ordinances, no person may erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, occupy, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure without first obtaining a separate building permit. Fort Bragg also adopts the 2022 California codes by reference in Municipal Code Chapter 15.04.

Required Documents

• Fully completed building permit application form
• One plot/site plan for over-the-counter permits
• Construction plans for other permits
• Cal Fire approval if applicable
• Title 24 energy documents if applicable
• Engineering calculations if applicable
• Erosion/sediment plans if applicable
• Outside agency approvals depending on the project

Permit validity

Under Fort Bragg Municipal Code Chapter 15.04, a permit application is deemed abandoned one year after filing unless pursued in good faith and extended in writing for justifiable cause. After permit issuance, the County requires the first inspection within one year, then an approved inspection at least every 180 days thereafter, unless an extension is approved; otherwise the permit may expire and require reinstatement.

Building code

Fort Bragg Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 adopts the 2022 California Administrative Code, California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Historical Building Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Building Code, California Energy Code, and related appendices/modifications.

Owner-builder

The County will accept applications from the property owner as an owner-builder.

Contractor requirements

The County will also accept applications from a contractor licensed and bonded through the State of California, or from an authorized agent for the owner or contractor.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$183 county minimum permit or demolition fee

Plan check fee

County plan review fee is 75% of the building permit fee; it is 100% of the building permit fee when the County administers the California Fire Code.

Permit fee formula

County building permit fees are primarily valuation-based. The County fee schedule uses valuation brackets and ICC valuation tables, with separate line items for issuance, records, education, standards, SMIP, CASp, and other add-ons. Fort Bragg also charges separate city planning/engineering review fees where applicable.

Reinspection fee

County reinspection fee is $86. Reinstatement or extension of an application or permit is $177 plus $86 for each remaining inspection if a permit must be reinstated after issuance.

Penalty (no permit)

Violation/penalty fee is assessed pursuant to Mendocino County Code Section 18.08.030 at 1X, 2X, or 3X.

Payment note

The County states eTRAKiT application fees are only part of the total permit cost and corrected fees or the remaining balance must be collected at permit issuance. County offices cannot issue permits, accept permit submittals, or take permit-related payments after 4:30 p.m.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures, other than storm shelters, not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons and meeting the height-to-width ratio limit
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Window awnings meeting the County dimensional/support limits
• Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
• Minor listed electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work such as temporary decorative lighting, minor replacement parts, portable appliances, and leak/stoppage repairs that do not involve concealed new work or fixture/pipe rearrangement

Important: Exemptions are narrow and project-specific. Separate planning, zoning, coastal, fire, stormwater, utility, or other agency approvals may still be required even if a building permit is not. The County relies on CBC 105.2 and California Residential Code exemptions to determine exempt work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Mendocino County eTRAKiT (online)
• Automated inspection request line: (707) 961-2677 (phone)
• Fort Bragg office: (707) 964-5379 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

3:00 p.m. the day before.

Inspection hours

Fort Bragg inspection service area is served Monday through Friday.

Time windows

Applicants must call between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the inspection day to verify whether the inspection will be in the morning or afternoon.

Typical inspection sequence: At least one inspection is required on every issued permit. Depending on the project, multiple inspections occur at various stages of construction, followed by final inspection/final approval. The approved plans and permit job copy must be kept on site, and the address must be posted visibly from the road.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Fort Bragg Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 adopts the 2022 California Administrative Code, California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Historical Building Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Building Code, California Energy Code, and related appendices/modifications.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Fort Bragg Community Development Department
• Local Coastal Program
• Inland land use and development information
• County Building Division
• County forms and handouts
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Mendocino County