Redding, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

This permit guide applies within the City of Redding limits. Construction in unincorporated Shasta County is handled by the Shasta County Building Division.

Department

City of Redding Development Services, Building Division

Address

777 Cypress Avenue, First Floor, Redding, CA 96001

Phone

530-225-4013 (FAQ) / 530-225-4030 (Permit Center contact page)

Email

permitcenter@cityofredding.org , bldgmail@cityofredding.org , planning@cityofredding.org

Website

https://files.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/development_services/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work requires a permit and whether additional Planning, Fire, or Health review is required.
2. For online-eligible permits, submit through the city portal and attach required documents and drawings.
3. For permits not eligible online, contact the Permit Center by phone or email to set up a review and meeting.
4. The city reviews plans against applicable codes and any linked agencies, including planning, fire, or public works where required.
5. Permit staff email approval or hold comments. Approved applicants pay permit fees, pick up the permit, and schedule inspections.
6. The permit card lists required inspections during construction, and certificate-of-occupancy closeout is requested after final approval where applicable.

Typical processing time: The city says fee-estimate requests are returned by email in about 3 business days, many routine permit inquiries receive a preliminary response by the next business day, and single-family certificates of occupancy are often issued the same day if documents are complete. Larger projects vary by scope.

Source: City of Redding Development Services, Building Division

General Requirements

New construction, remodeling, building systems work, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work beyond minor repair thresholds, and most non-trivial structural work generally require a building permit. Work may still require other approvals even if a building permit is not required.

Required Documents

• Building permit application form
• Parcel number and project address
• Project valuation
• Owner, contractor, or authorized-agent contact information
• Work description
• Project drawings and plans appropriate to the scope
• Supporting documents for complex projects such as energy calculations, geotechnical reports, plot plans, civil review input, and other-agency approvals where applicable

Permit validity

Permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 days or is abandoned. An expired permit must be renewed before work continues.

Building code

2022 California Building Code, California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code, California Fire Code, and California Energy Code, including Title 24, with local adoption through the Redding Municipal Code and city handbooks.

Owner-builder

The application allows owner, contractor, or authorized-agent submissions. Authorized-agent signatures require separate authorization documentation.

Contractor requirements

Large or complex permit packets call for licensed California design professional involvement for many engineered plans, including architects, engineers, or design-build California licensed contractors for certain work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Published examples include Water Heater replacement $155.39, Residential HVAC changeout $186.89, Commercial HVAC changeout $218.39, Pellet stoves or fireplace inserts $186.89, and Residential Solar/PV 15kW or less $450.

Plan check fee

65% of the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit processing is valuation-based across project value bands. Other permit families use published flat fees.

Reinspection fee

The adopted city master fee schedule includes reinspection fees, including cost-based subsequent inspection and failed-final inspection charges.

Penalty (no permit)

Late payment and non-response penalties are included in the city's general municipal fee policy.

Payment note

The city uses a written fee-estimate request form returned by email and states fee estimates are not computed at the counter. Permit Center staff handle payments at permit pickup for in-person or mailed submissions. Fee-estimate requests route to bldgfees@cityofredding.org.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences under 7 feet and more than 10 feet from the public right-of-way
• Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet
• Sidewalks and driveways meeting the city's listed height and location conditions
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and similar finish work
• Temporary stage scenery
• Above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Child-focused playground and swing equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Some window awnings below city size limits
• Non-fixed removable furnishings, racks, counters, and partitions under the city's stated height limits
• Limited electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas minor repair categories
• Emergency replacements reported by the next business day

Important: The city notes that exempt items may still require Planning, Fire, Public Works, state, or federal review.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• COR portal (online)
• 530-225-4030 (phone)

Inspection hours

Development Services office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: The city's published workflow is permit application, approval, issuance of the required inspection list on the permit card, scheduling by phase, correction items if needed, final inspection, and certificate-of-occupancy request where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2022 California Building Code, California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code, California Fire Code, and California Energy Code, including Title 24, with local adoption through the Redding Municipal Code and city handbooks.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Development Services FAQ
• Building Forms and Applications
• Shasta County Permit Process
• Shasta County Permit Fees
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Shasta County