Perris, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Perris city limits. The City states that unincorporated addresses, even with a Perris mailing address, are served by Riverside County rather than the City.

Department

City of Perris Development Services Department, Building and Safety Division / Building Department

Address

135 N. D Street, Perris, CA 92570-2200

Phone

(951) 943-5003

Email

dsbuilding@cityofperris.org

Website

https://www.cityofperris.org/departments/development-services/building-department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is inside Perris city limits and determine whether the work needs a permit. Perris says most home construction projects require permits, including new construction, patio enclosures, reroofing, moving interior walls, pools/spas, retaining walls over 3 feet, water heaters, and electrical/plumbing alterations.
2. Check zoning and project standards first. The City points applicants to the Building/Planning Portal and planning resources before submittal.
3. Create an account in the City of Perris E-Permit Portal and start the application online.
4. Upload or submit the required application package. City forms show typical submittals include plans, Title 24 documents, structural calculations, truss calculations if applicable, valuation, and project description; some projects also need soils reports or planning approval.
5. Respond to City review comments and provide any issuance-only items. Perris says permit issuance may also require contractor license and workers' compensation documents, owner-builder forms, school fee certificates, health department approved plans, mitigation fees, or special inspection meeting documentation depending on project type.
6. Pay permit fees and any applicable development or impact fees, then obtain permit issuance.
7. Schedule inspections by calling the inspection hotline before 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for next-business-day service when available.
8. Complete all required inspections and obtain final approval before use or occupancy as applicable.

Typical processing time: No general building-permit turnaround was posted in the sources reviewed.

Source: City of Perris Development Services Department, Building and Safety Division / Building Department

General Requirements

Perris states most home construction projects require permits. Posted examples include all new construction, patio enclosures, new door/window openings, new or replacement mechanical units, reroofing, moving interior walls, pools/spas, carports, reframing, room additions, patios/decks, fireplaces, retaining walls over 3 feet, electrical/plumbing alterations, foundation repairs, water heater replacement, and permanently wired light fixtures.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• plans
• Title 24 documents
• structural calculations
• truss calculations if applicable
• valuation and scope
• and, depending on project, soils reports, planning approval letters, school fee documents, health department approved plans, mitigation fee documentation, special inspection meeting materials, contractor license pocket card, workers' compensation certificate, City of Perris business license, or owner-builder declaration/release forms.

Permit validity

Perris Ordinance No. 1420 adopts the 2022 California codes locally. California Building Standards Commission materials for the 2022 Title 24 cycle state permit expiration changed from 180 days to 12 months, with extensions allowed unless work is deemed abandoned. Perris did not post a separate local expiration bulletin in the sources reviewed, so confirm project-specific extension practice with the Building Division.

Building code

Perris Ordinance No. 1420 adopted the 2022 California Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Fire, Existing Building, Historical Building, Green Building Standards, Energy, Administrative, and related reference standards codes on November 8, 2022. Separately, the California Building Standards Commission states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective statewide on January 1, 2026. Perris pages and bulletins reviewed still reference the 2022 locally adopted code set, so confirm with the City whether any 2025 local-amendment ordinance is now being applied.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit the City of Perris owner-builder declaration. The form tracks Business and Professions Code sections 7031.5 and 7044 and states owner-builders generally cannot legally sell a structure they built unless it was constructed entirely by licensed contractors, except for a personal residence occupied for at least one year before completion.

Contractor requirements

Licensed contractors must provide a California state contractor license, workers' compensation certificate, and a current City of Perris business license. The application form also asks for contractor license number, class, and City business license number.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed.

Plan check fee

Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed for building permits.

Permit fee formula

Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed for building permits. Separate development impact fees and mitigation fees may apply depending on project type and location.

Reinspection fee

Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed for building permits.

Payment note

Perris directs users to its online Payment and Processing Portal and says departments accept electronic submittals, with hard copies by mail if required. Permit fees are due at issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Wallpapering, painting, or similar finish work.
• Fences 6 feet high or lower.
• Single-story detached storage sheds or playhouses under 120 square feet.
• Retaining walls less than 3 feet tall.
• Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools with capacity under 5,000 gallons.
• Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical fixture replacement or repair such as changing faucets or replacing switches.

Important: Perris states that even if work is exempt from a construction permit, it may still require other City review. The pool exemption does not remove compliance with the California Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Main department page (online)
• (951) 956-2117 (phone)
• dsinspectors@cityofperris.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Call before 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday for next-day inspections when available. Requests after 3:00 p.m. are scheduled for the following work day.

Typical inspection sequence: Perris does not post one universal sequence in the sources reviewed. Sequence depends on scope, but applicants should expect staged progress inspections plus final inspection before closeout/occupancy as applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Perris Ordinance No. 1420 adopted the 2022 California Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Fire, Existing Building, Historical Building, Green Building Standards, Energy, Administrative, and related reference standards codes on November 8, 2022. Separately, the California Building Standards Commission states the 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective statewide on January 1, 2026. Perris pages and bulletins reviewed still reference the 2022 locally adopted code set, so confirm with the City whether any 2025 local-amendment ordinance is now being applied.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Riverside County