Los Banos, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated City of Los Banos. Projects outside city limits are generally handled by Merced County.

Department

City of Los Banos Building Department

Address

City Hall, 520 J Street, Los Banos, CA 93635

Phone

(209) 827-7000

Email

losbanosbldg@csgengr.com

Website

https://losbanos.org/city-government/departments/building/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm with the Building Department whether the project requires a permit and which application packet applies.
2. Download and complete the applicable form from the Building Department page, such as the commercial, residential, ADU, reroof, revision, or owner-builder packet.
3. Submit the application in person at City Hall or by email with attachments to losbanosbldg@csgengr.com.
4. For electronic plan check, email the completed application first. After staff verifies the application is complete, the city sends a web link for uploading plans and supporting documents and provides fee, turnaround, and logistics instructions.
5. Respond to plan review comments and resubmit through the same upload link if corrections are required.
6. Once approved, pay the remaining fees. The city then sends the approved plans electronically, and the applicant must print and keep the approved plans and supporting documents on the jobsite for inspections.
7. Request inspections through the Building Department and obtain final approval before occupancy or business-license clearance where applicable.

Source: City of Los Banos Building Department

General Requirements

The city states permits are generally required whenever a building or structure is constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, or demolished, and many projects beyond new construction and major remodels also require permits.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Owner and contractor information
• Contractor license information
• Project valuation and square footage
• Storm water pollution prevention acknowledgment
• PDF plan files for electronic plan check
• Bookmarked or indexed plan set
• Response letters on resubmittal
• Plans, calculations, product data, and other supporting documents as required by project type

Permit validity

Los Banos Municipal Code Title 8 adopts the 2022 California Administrative Code and related 2022 state building codes by reference, so permit expiration rules are governed through those adopted codes unless locally amended. Confirm the current expiration and extension rule with the Building Department before filing.

Building code

2022 California Building Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Referenced Standards Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Administrative Code, Existing Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Residential Code, and Plumbing Code

Owner-builder

The city provides an owner-builder acknowledgment form and owner-builder declaration and warns about licensing, tax, workers' compensation, and liability exposure.

Contractor requirements

Permit applications request California contractor license number, class, and expiration date. The licensed contractor declaration states the contractor must be licensed under California contractor law and in full force and effect. The city's instant solar workflow states Symbium verifies contractor and business licenses automatically.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$60.00

Plan check fee

Separate plan review fees apply. For example, the posted schedule shows a $30.00 plan review fee for valuation of $1-$500 on valuation-based commercial, industrial, and multifamily work.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. The city uses fixed tables for tract and infill homes, valuation-based tables for commercial, industrial, and multifamily plan review and permit fees, and separate schedule tables for various mechanical, plumbing, electrical, mobile-home, and miscellaneous items.

Reinspection fee

$118.35

Payment note

The city provides fee, turnaround, and logistics information after the application is verified complete. When plans are approved, the city contacts the applicant to collect the balance of fees before releasing approved plans.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Some minor projects are exempt; the city directs applicants to call or email before starting work to confirm whether a permit is required
• One-story detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet do not require a building permit under the exemption cited in the city's zoning code

Important: Even when an accessory structure is under 120 square feet, a permit is still required for any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work installed in or run to that structure. Accessory buildings and structures in R-1 and R-2 must still comply with zoning requirements, and Los Banos requires a zoning clearance certificate for accessory buildings or structures in those districts whether or not a building permit is required. The city does not publish a comprehensive current exemption handout on its main permit page, so verify all claimed exemptions directly with the Building Department.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (209) 827-7000 (phone)
• losbanosbldg@csgengr.com (email)

Inspection hours

Building Department availability is Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: The city does not publish a general inspection sequence on the main permit page. Approved plans and supporting documents must be printed and kept on the jobsite for inspection. For qualifying small solar, the inspector checks field conformance with the approved plans, equipment ratings, labeling, grounding, fastening, conductors, and related code items.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2022 California Building Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Referenced Standards Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Administrative Code, Existing Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Residential Code, and Plumbing Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Municipal code
• eCode360 table of contents
• Building applications and forms
• Digital plan check handout
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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