Murrieta, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to incorporated areas within the City of Murrieta, Riverside County, California. Projects outside city limits or in unincorporated Riverside County are handled by Riverside County or other applicable agencies.

Department

City of Murrieta Development Services Department, Building & Safety Division

Address

1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562

Phone

951-461-6062

Email

Building permit/status email link is published on the Building & Safety page , but the address is Cloudflare-protected in the public page output , mandated-timeline plan review notices are directed to the email linked on the Permit Processing page

Website

https://www.murrietaca.gov/162/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project is within Murrieta city limits and make sure the property has both an address and APN before submittal.
2. Create a CSS Portal account.
3. Review the applicable submittal checklist and digital submittal rules, then complete the required application forms. Common forms include DS-147 Building Permit Application, DS-148 Building Plan Review Application, and project-specific checklists such as DS-136, DS-137, DS-138, DS-139, or IB-125 for residential solar.
4. Upload the application, plans, and supporting documents through the CSS Portal and submit electronically.
5. Pay invoiced permit/application fees through the portal.
6. Monitor plan review comments and status in CSS; if revisions are required, respond through the city workflow. Murrieta states plan check fees include up to three reviews, with added cost for later reviews.
7. After issuance, keep the permit/approved plans available, schedule inspections through CSS, and submit all final project documents digitally before final inspection.

Typical processing time: Murrieta lists permit processing as currently 15 business days.

Source: City of Murrieta Development Services Department, Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

Murrieta requires a permit for owners or authorized agents intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, and for installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. The city also states that construction such as plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work shall not be done without a permit.

Required Documents

• At minimum
• Murrieta directs applicants to submit a CSS application account
• DS-147 Building Permit Application, and any applicable plans/documents. Depending on project type, the city publishes project-specific submittal forms such as DS-136 through DS-139, digital submittal requirements DS-162
• CalGreen checklists
• SB 407 forms, and Title 24 energy forms. Residential Title 24 CF-1R and nonresidential energy code forms must be completed in the online fillable format and show "COMPLIES."

Permit validity

Murrieta FAQ states a building permit is valid for 365 days after issuance. If it expires, the applicant may need to restart the process, update plans to current code requirements, and pay fees again.

Building code

Murrieta's current Building & Safety and Forms/Handouts pages state that as of January 1, 2026, all new submittals are subject to the newly adopted 2025 California Building Codes. Murrieta previously adopted the 2022 California State Building Standards Codes and local Chapter 1 administrative provisions by ordinance.

Owner-builder

Murrieta publishes DS-144 Owner-Builder Information. The owner-builder is the responsible party of record; owner signatures are required when owners are personally performing the work. The city warns that contractors are required to be licensed and bonded by California and to hold a city business license. Murrieta also states inspections cannot be requested until the owner-builder verification form is returned.

Contractor requirements

The Permit Processing page states City business license and State contractor license information and expiration dates must be present on permit applications. DS-144 states contractors must be licensed and bonded by California and must place their license number on permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Murrieta does not publish one single citywide minimum building permit fee. In the FY 2025/26 Building & Safety fee schedule, some listed building plan check charges start at $65.47 before inspection fees and added surcharges.

Plan check fee

Varies by permit type. Example: "Multi-Family & Single Family Alterations and Fire Damage Repair" lists plan check fees of $94.45 for minor work, $200.70 for complex work, and $348.81 for fire-damage repair. Murrieta notes plan check fees include a maximum of three plan reviews, with additional cost for subsequent reviews based on the fully burdened hourly rate.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Many permit categories use fixed plan check and inspection fees by project type, while some fees are established by the state based on valuation. The schedule also adds separate line items such as Building Dept Mandated Training ($3.22), GIS Processing Fee ($5.37), and record-retention charges by page/plan size.

Reinspection fee

The Inspections page states that on residential inspections, 3 failed inspections or late same-day cancellations result in a reinspection fee. The fee schedule states reinspection fees are assessed at actual cost based on the fully burdened hourly rate, with a one-hour minimum. The same schedule also includes investigative fees for work done without a permit at actual cost.

Penalty (no permit)

The Inspections page states that on residential inspections, 3 failed inspections or late same-day cancellations result in a reinspection fee. The fee schedule states reinspection fees are assessed at actual cost based on the fully burdened hourly rate, with a one-hour minimum. The same schedule also includes investigative fees for work done without a permit at actual cost.

Payment note

Murrieta states applicants can pay associated permit and application fees through the CSS Portal after account registration and submittal.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of footing to the top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding specified liquids
• Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons, subject to the listed height/diameter ratio limit
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement/story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets/scenery
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy meeting the city's exempt thresholds
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall meeting the city's exempt limits
• Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Residential decks under CBC/CRC Section R105.2 not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door

Important: Murrieta states permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates the code or other laws. Murrieta FAQ also says wood, vinyl, or wrought iron fence replacement does not need a permit if it stays in the same location and same height, but block walls require a permit and may require a signed shared-wall property-owner agreement.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• https://murrietaca-energovpub.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home (online)
• 951-461-6062 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Murrieta states AM inspections run about 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and PM inspections about 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All solar inspections are conducted during AM hours. Requests for the next business day must be submitted by 4:00 PM the previous business day, effective January 1, 2026.

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by permit type. Murrieta directs applicants to IB-163 for permit-specific required inspections. In practice, the city expects applicants to request only the inspections applicable to the project and to have approved plans, permit, job card, and project forms available. Final project documents must be uploaded digitally before final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Murrieta's current Building & Safety and Forms/Handouts pages state that as of January 1, 2026, all new submittals are subject to the newly adopted 2025 California Building Codes. Murrieta previously adopted the 2022 California State Building Standards Codes and local Chapter 1 administrative provisions by ordinance.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Riverside County