Shasta County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Shasta County Building Division administers building permits for the unincorporated area of the county.

Department

Department of Resource Management / Building Division, Shasta County

Address

1855 Placer Street, Suite 102, Redding, CA 96001

Phone

(530) 225-5761 (main); inspection request line (530) 244-5068

Email

resourcemanagement@shastacounty.gov

Website

https://www.shastacounty.gov/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact permit staff first for project fit or process clarity.
2. Confirm required submittals and applicable clearances, including fire, planning, environmental health, public works, and water, sewer, septic, or well approvals when needed.
3. Submit a complete application and plans through Build Shasta online, in person, or by the county's self-serve kiosk where available.
4. The county performs a completeness check and routes accepted plans into the review and approval queue.
5. Watch for email updates if additional information is needed and when the permit is ready to issue.
6. Pay permit issuance fees online, pick up the printed permit, and schedule inspections before proceeding.

Typical processing time: Routine projects can take several days to weeks. Routine electrical and heating permits are described as taking several days. Development requiring a hearing can run about 6-10 weeks or longer depending on complexity.

Source: Department of Resource Management / Building Division, Shasta County

General Requirements

If work is not listed in the county's Residential Work Exempt list, the county's permit path applies. New construction, remodeling, and similar building activity in the unincorporated area routes through county review.

Required Documents

• Assessor parcel number
• Location or direction map
• Complete plans with code-compliant plan sets
• Two construction plans and additional floor or plot plans where listed
• Title 24 energy compliance documentation for applicable projects
• Application filing fee
• Required agency clearances such as fire, school impact, environmental review, utility, septic, well, or water approvals where applicable

Permit validity

The application fee is valid for 180 days, and an extension may be requested before expiration. An issued permit expires by limitation at 2 years, or if work has not started within 12 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 12 months. The permit may be renewed with payment of the required renewal fee.

Building code

Shasta County references the 2025 California Building Standards Code, with a 2026 effective date for new applications.

Owner-builder

The permittee must file a signed owner-builder statement and proof of exemption or contractor license status. Owner-built single-family residential permits are allowed only in defined owner-builder circumstances and are tied to state licensing rules.

Contractor requirements

Applicants must file a signed statement that they are licensed under California Contractors' State License Law or eligible for a legal exemption. The county notes penalties for false or misstated licensure status.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit-related fees are valuation-based and start as low as $31.90 for the basic permit and inspection fee band covering $1-$500 valuations.

Plan check fee

Plan review is included in the standard processing sequence. Additional plan reviews are billed at an hourly minimum after the included threshold, with 2 plan reviews included for the standard fee structure.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based under the county schedule. Plan check and additional permit-related charges are set by ordinance tiers and percentages, and some permit families use flat rates such as pre-approved plans and certain special permits.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection charges can apply when items remain incomplete or corrections are not completed, and no reinspection is performed until assessed fees are paid.

Penalty (no permit)

Work begun without a required permit can trigger a penalty fee equal to the amount of the permit fee.

Payment note

The building office notes that county staff process cash up to 4:30 PM, and credit card and check are accepted until close of business.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Small detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less and 12 feet ridge height or less
• Fences 7 feet or less
• Retaining walls 4 feet or less
• Interior finish work such as paint, tile, carpet, and cabinets
• Minor plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical repair categories listed by the county
• Small decks and certain playground, awning, and other minor work categories listed in the county exemption PDF

Important: Permit exemption does not waive code compliance. Emergency repair work still has notice requirements, typically requiring a permit application by the next business day. Work performed without required permits is subject to at least one additional penalty fee equal to the permit fee.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Build Shasta eTRAKiT (online)
• (530) 244-5068 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The county's published sequence includes foundation, concrete slab or under-floor, under-floor insulation, roof sheathing or exterior shear wall, framing, septic or sewer, wall or ceiling insulation, masonry, lath or gypsum board, driveway or encroachment-related, final inspection, additional field inspections at inspector discretion, and reinspection when corrections remain.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Shasta County references the 2025 California Building Standards Code, with a 2026 effective date for new applications.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Applications
• Forms and Applications
• General Information
• Permit Process
• Build Shasta Online Building Permit Applications
• Residential Work Exempt From Permits
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement