Town of Apple Valley, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to projects within Town of Apple Valley limits in San Bernardino County. Building and Safety handles building permits and inspections; some projects also require Planning, Fire District, utility, or Public Works/sewer clearances.

Department

Town of Apple Valley Building and Safety Division

Address

14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307

Phone

Department line (760) 240-7000 x7100; inspection line (760) 961-7047

Email

building@applevalley.org

Website

https://applevalley.org/business/permit-center/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm scope with Building and Safety and, if needed, Planning or other reviewing agencies.
2. Create a Permit Center account, verify the email address, and log back in.
3. Complete the online application and upload PDF plans and supporting documents. The Town says typical uploads can include plan sheets, structural calculations, Title 24 documents, geotechnical/soils reports, and HOA approval if applicable.
4. Pay plan check and permit fees by credit card through the Permit Center, or use downloaded forms if the project is being handled outside the online workflow.
5. Wait for plan review. The Town says most applications are processed with little delay; many plan reviews are usually returned within about 2 weeks, and some minor plans may be reviewed over the counter.
6. Respond to corrections if issued and resubmit revised plans.
7. After approvals, fee payment, and outside-agency clearances, the Town issues the permit.
8. Keep the approved plans and job card on site, request inspections at each major phase with at least 24 hours notice, and obtain final sign-off before occupancy or utility release if applicable.

Typical processing time: Usually about 2 weeks for first plan review on standard projects; minor plans may be over the counter.

Source: Town of Apple Valley Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

The Town states permits are required for new buildings, additions, renovations, demolitions, electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, water heaters, re-roofs, signs, tenant improvements, masonry fences over 72 inches high, and retaining walls over 3 feet. The Permit Center page also states permits are needed for projects such as building a house, adding a room, or repairing electrical and plumbing systems.

Required Documents

• The Town lists online submittals such as architectural/MEP/structural plan sheets, structural calculations, Title 24 documents, geotechnical or soils reports, and HOA approvals if applicable. Sketches, drawings, plans, or other documentation are generally required depending on project size and scope

Permit validity

I did not find a current Town webpage or form in the sources reviewed that clearly states permit expiration rules. Confirm this directly with Building and Safety before filing.

Building code

The Town's public Building Codes page says the current codes are the 2022 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1-12. Because California's 2025 code cycle took effect statewide on January 1, 2026, confirm with Building and Safety which edition the Town is enforcing today.

Owner-builder

Town materials include an Owner-Builder Packet. The Town also states permits may be obtained only by the owner, the owner's licensed contractor, or the owner's authorized agent.

Contractor requirements

Town permit materials require contractor information and state license number, and the Town states the owner's licensed contractor may obtain the permit. Town business-license materials also require proof that a contractor's California state license is valid.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

For non-residential valuation-based permits, the published minimum permit fee is $113.54 (with $72.30 used for cumulative fee calculation only). The Town also publishes many separate flat fees for specific permit types.

Plan check fee

For non-residential valuation-based permits, the published plan review fee is 90% of the building permit fee. The fee schedule also shows grading plan check fees at 3.5% of valuation and grading inspection fees at 2% of valuation.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. The Town uses valuation-based formulas for non-residential building permits and separate schedules/tables for residential R and U occupancies, plus flat fees for many individual permit categories.

Reinspection fee

Re-inspection fee is listed at $121.29 per inspection. Expedited plan review is 1.5 times regular plan review. Off-hours inspections are actual cost.

Payment note

The Permit Center allows fee payment by credit card. The Town also notes that permit issuance can depend on payment of fees and receipt of outside-agency clearances.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Apple Valley Building and Safety Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online through the Permit Center (online)
• (760) 961-7047 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

The Town requires at least 24 hours advance notice for inspections. For residential solar permits, the Town says requests received before 7:00 a.m. are typically scheduled the same business day.

Inspection hours

General Town business hours shown on the Permit Center page are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed every other Friday).

Typical inspection sequence: Major phase inspections, then final inspection. Town examples include foundation, framing, and final. Solar projects list footing/stanchion and final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The Town's public Building Codes page says the current codes are the 2022 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1-12. Because California's 2025 code cycle took effect statewide on January 1, 2026, confirm with Building and Safety which edition the Town is enforcing today.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.applevalley.org/services/building-and-safety
• Permit Center overview
• Permit Center help and PDF submittal guidance
• Building permits overview
• Building codes page
• Owner-Builder Packet
• Permit application/worksheet
• Sewer permits (if applicable)
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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