You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-20.
Clovis building permits
VerifiedClovis, California — as published 2026-09-20.
Verified 2026-09-19 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
VerifiedClovis publishes eight local design values, a clear permit-exemption list, and an inspection process that ends in a telephone call to the inspector personally. Paper still has a place here: commercial projects take four plan sets, wet signed and stamped.
Verified 2026-09-19 · Source
Requirements
- WHEN A PERMIT IS NEEDED: "A permit is required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove or move any house, building or structure."
- THE EXEMPTIONS ARE ENUMERATED: a one-story detached accessory building used as a tool or storage shed or playhouse "provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet"; "Fences not over 7 feet high", wood or block, with a caution to check with Planning on a corner lot; retaining walls "not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A-liquids"; "Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below"; "Painting, papering and similar finish work"; and prefabricated pools entirely above grade whose capacity "does not exceed 5,000 gallons".
- COMMERCIAL DRAWINGS MUST BE WET SIGNED: new commercial permit requirements "include submitting drawings, plans and calculations that must be wet signed and stamped by a licensed California Architect or Engineer."
- PLAN SET COUNTS DIFFER BY OCCUPANCY: "Residential: One set for initial submittal. Commercial: Four sets for commercial projects."
- SOLAR HAS THREE ROUTES AND ONE OF THEM IS CLOSED TO OWNERS: in person, online through the CSS portal, or "Submitting a SolarApp application (SB-379) via CSS portal" - and "NOTE: The 3rd method is for contractors only (Owner builders are required to use method 1 or 2)."
Required documents
- Optional
- Optional
- Optional
- Optional
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fees | NOT TRANSCRIBED for this record. | The city publishes a Letter to Industry Proposed Fee Increase and recurring Notice to Industry Valuation Update letters, the latest dated 2025-08-18 in its filename, which indicates fees are resolved… Show full citationHideThe city publishes a Letter to Industry Proposed Fee Increase and recurring Notice to Industry Valuation Update letters, the latest dated 2025-08-18 in its filename, which indicates fees are resolved through a periodically updated valuation table. Neither letter was opened, so no schedule, amount or multiplier is asserted. |
| Photovoltaic permits | A separate fee structure. | "All residential roof-mounted and ground-mounted photovoltaic permits will have a new fee structure", per the city's 2023 Code Notice to Industry Letter 1. The structure itself was not read. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-19.
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Clovis building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.