Moreno Valley, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles building permits, plan review, and inspections within the incorporated City of Moreno Valley, Riverside County. Depending on project scope, applicants may also need approvals from other City divisions or outside agencies.

Department

City of Moreno Valley Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division

Address

14177 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Phone

951-413-3350

Email

building@moval.org , permitcounter@moval.org

Website

https://www.moval.org/cdd/department/divisions-building-safety.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project scope and permit type with Moreno Valley Building and Safety. The City states permits are required for new buildings and for modifying existing structures, and all permit types begin as a Building Permit Application in SimpliCITY.
2. Create a free SimpliCITY account to research records, start the application, and upload plans and supporting documents.
3. Submit the Building Permit Application and project documents online. If you are applying as an owner-builder, include the owner-builder verification form; the City FAQ also says to include the fire screening form when applicable.
4. City staff performs intake and plan review. If corrections are required, upload revisions electronically through the SimpliCITY record.
5. After approval, the City issues the permit electronically. The City's owner-builder guidance says the applicant receives an email with the permit, job card, approval documents, and any required retrofit verification forms.
6. Schedule required inspections before concealing work. Inspectors verify the work against the approved plans and applicable code requirements.
7. Complete all required inspections and obtain final approval to close out the permit.

Typical processing time: The City FAQ says normal review time is within 12 business days once all required documents are submitted.

Source: City of Moreno Valley Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

Moreno Valley states a building permit is required whenever an addition or structural modification is made to an existing commercial or living space, and when constructing a new building. The City FAQ also gives examples requiring permits, including patio covers, retaining/block walls over 3 feet measured from top of footing, reroof work over 100 square feet, and larger sheds.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application
• project plans and supporting documents uploaded through SimpliCITY
• owner-builder verification if applicable
• fire screening form when applicable
• revised sheets/documents must be uploaded electronically if plans change.

Permit validity

Moreno Valley publishes a permit/application extension request form and notes that building permit and application extensions are handled by Building and Safety. The public materials reviewed do not clearly state the standard Moreno Valley permit-expiration period, so applicants should verify the current expiration rule with Building and Safety before relying on timing.

Building code

As of January 1, 2026, Moreno Valley states that new permit applications must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Code as adopted by City Ordinance No. 1033.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit the City's owner-builder verification/disclosure form before permit issuance. The form warns that the property owner becomes the responsible party of record and may face insurance, labor, and liability consequences if unlicensed persons perform the work.

Contractor requirements

The City FAQ says contractors are required to be licensed in California. The permit application requests the California contractor license number and class type.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No single overall minimum building permit fee is clearly labeled in the published fee schedule. The schedule does list a $30 permit issuance fee, a $3 technology maintenance fee, and discipline-specific plan check/inspection fees.

Plan check fee

Varies by permit type. The published schedule includes separate plan check and inspection columns for building categories; for example, many new construction categories are charged from square-footage tables, and deferred submittal plan check is billed at $310 per hour with a 2-hour minimum.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. The fee schedule uses flat fees for many common permit types (for example, water heater permits) and table-based plan check/inspection fees for larger projects based on project type, occupancy/construction classification, and square footage.

Reinspection fee

The inspection page states a reinspection fee may be charged if work is not ready, access is not provided, or the work does not meet code. The fee schedule also lists supplemental inspection at $154 per hour or portion thereof, permit/application renewal as all or part of the original fee, and an investigative fee for work performed without a permit equal to the applicable permit fee set by resolution.

Penalty (no permit)

The inspection page states a reinspection fee may be charged if work is not ready, access is not provided, or the work does not meet code. The fee schedule also lists supplemental inspection at $154 per hour or portion thereof, permit/application renewal as all or part of the original fee, and an investigative fee for work performed without a permit equal to the applicable permit fee set by resolution.

Payment note

Building plan check fees must be paid to enable the plan review process. The reviewed public materials do not state online payment methods or card-processing rules.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Patio slabs do not require a permit.
• Tool sheds under 120 square feet do not require a permit.
• Replacement of a wood, vinyl, or wrought-iron fence in the same location does not require a permit if the fence is not over 6 feet high.
• Garage and yard sales do not require permits, though this is not building work and is governed by separate city rules.

Important: Moreno Valley states permits are still required for attached and freestanding patio covers, for retaining/block walls over 3 feet from top of footing, and for reroof repairs or replacement over 100 square feet. Sheds taller than the fence line must maintain a minimum 5-foot side and rear setback. Exemption from permit does not waive zoning or code compliance.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• https://moval.org/simplicity (online)
• https://www.moval.org/moval247/ (online)
• 951-413-3350 ext. 5 (phone)
• 951-413-3350 ext. 3 (phone)
• 951-413-3380 (phone)
• buildinginspections@moval.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspectors are in the office from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City says inspection times and results can be checked in SimpliCITY after 7:30 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: The City's published workflow is permit issuance, required progress inspections before work is covered, correction notice/reinspection if needed, and final approval. The owner-builder guidance notes the inspector must see City-approved plans at the jobsite and will verify required retrofit items such as smoke/carbon monoxide alarms when applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: As of January 1, 2026, Moreno Valley states that new permit applications must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Code as adopted by City Ordinance No. 1033.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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