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California

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California · find a service

Apply for a building permit in California

Permits, inspections and planning information.

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In California, 57 county departments and 11 city governments publish 121 official links for this service, 16 of them online. Reviewed requirements cover appointments (5), documents (5), eligibility (3), availability notices (3), deadlines (1) and processing time (1). 52 counties have a page for it below.

Before you start · 2 things to check
  • Start with the jurisdiction of the property. County permit offices may serve only unincorporated areas.
  • Use the official map and confirm project requirements with the planning or building office.

68 guides with reviewed service links · Reviewed local guides

Choose a county on the map

Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.

California58 counties
California county mapChoose a county to open its directory. Use the county search and list for smaller counties.Alameda County: open directoryAlpine County: open directoryAmador County: open directoryButte County: open directoryCalaveras County: open directoryColusa County: open directoryContra Costa County: open directoryDel Norte County: open directoryEl Dorado County: open directoryFresno County: open directoryGlenn County: open directoryHumboldt County: open directoryImperial County: open directoryInyo County: open directoryKern County: open directoryKings County: open directoryLake County: open directoryLassen County: open directoryLos Angeles County: open directoryMadera County: open directoryMarin County: open directoryMariposa County: open directoryMendocino County: open directoryMerced County: open directoryModoc County: open directoryMono County: open directoryMonterey County: open directoryNapa County: open directoryNevada County: open directoryOrange County: open directoryPlacer County: open directoryPlumas County: open directoryRiverside County: open directorySacramento County: open directorySan Benito County: open directorySan Bernardino County: open directorySan Diego County: open directorySan Francisco County: open directorySan Joaquin County: open directorySan Luis Obispo County: open directorySan Mateo County: open directorySanta Barbara County: open directorySanta Clara County: open directorySanta Cruz County: open directoryShasta County: open directorySierra County: open directorySiskiyou County: open directorySolano County: open directorySonoma County: open directoryStanislaus County: open directorySutter County: open directoryTehama County: open directoryTrinity County: open directoryTulare County: open directoryTuolumne County: open directoryVentura County: open directoryYolo County: open directoryYuba County: open directory
County directory Reviewed service guides available
Map for browsing; agency service areas may differ.
Map source

U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

68 guides, grouped by county. Open your county below, or choose it above or type a city above to see each guide’s instructions, conditions and sources here.

Alameda2 guides
Alpine1 guide
Amador1 guide
Butte1 guide
Calaveras1 guide
Colusa1 guide
Contra Costa1 guide
Del Norte1 guide
El Dorado1 guide
Fresno2 guides
Glenn1 guide
Humboldt1 guide
Imperial1 guide
Inyo1 guide
Kern2 guides
County government · Kern

Public Works — Building Inspection

Kern County building permit services. Confirm which county or city agency handles your property before applying.

County building permit information (opens in a new tab)
Public Services Building permit technician counter and phone line — source notice for Tuesday, October 20

Permit Technician counter and phone line at the Public Services Building will be CLOSED on Tuesday, October 20, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for an Employee Appreciation Luncheon. Regular hours of operation will resume at 1:30 p.m.

Official information checked October 14, 2026 · Details & sources

Apply for a Building Permit (opens in a new tab)
Full guide, contact details & sources →
Kings1 guide
Lake1 guide
Lassen1 guide
Los Angeles3 guides
City government · Los Angeles

Long Beach — Building & Safety Bureau

City of Long Beach building permit services. Confirm the requirements for your project with the city.

City building permit information (opens in a new tab)
Community Development and Permit Center — source notice for Tuesday, November 3

In observance of Election Day, the Community Development Department and its Permit Center will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 3. We will be back the next day ready to serve you.

Official information checked October 14, 2026 · Details & sources

Community Development and Permit Center — source notice for Thursday, December 10

On Thursday, Dec. 10, the Community Development Department and its Permit Center will be closed from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for an all-staff training. Regular hours will resume the following day, Friday, Dec. 11.

Official information checked October 14, 2026 · Details & sources

Permit Center (opens in a new tab)
Full guide, contact details & sources →
Madera1 guide
Marin1 guide
Mariposa1 guide
Mendocino1 guide
Merced1 guide
Modoc1 guide
Mono1 guide
Monterey1 guide
Napa1 guide
Nevada1 guide
Orange2 guides
Placer1 guide
Plumas1 guide
Riverside1 guide
Sacramento2 guides
San Benito1 guide
San Bernardino1 guide
San Diego2 guides
San Francisco1 guide
San Joaquin2 guides
San Luis Obispo1 guide
San Mateo1 guide
Santa Barbara1 guide
Santa Clara2 guides
Santa Cruz1 guide
Shasta1 guide
Sierra1 guide
Siskiyou1 guide
Solano1 guide
Sonoma1 guide
Stanislaus1 guide
Sutter1 guide
Tehama1 guide
Trinity1 guide
Tulare1 guide
Tuolumne1 guide
Ventura1 guide
Yolo1 guide
Yuba1 guide

Apply for a building permit by county