You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-13.
Fresno building permits
VerifiedFresno, California — as published 2026-09-13.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
VerifiedFresno states the trigger by quoting the code it enforces. Chapter 1, section 105.1 of the California Building Code provides: 'Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system shall obtain the required permit.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- 'To obtain a permit for work as described above, the applicant shall file an application for permit(s) with the Building and Safety Permit Counter.'
- The submittal may be plans 'that clearly detail the scope of work to be reviewed by Plan Check staff', or the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.
- Permits are issued after review: 'After review and approval of the permit application documents, Building and Safety Permit Staff shall issue the required permits for the project.'
- An extension is discretionary and bounded - the Building Official may grant one 'for a period not more than 180 days, if requested in writing and a justifiable cause is demonstrated.'
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Permit fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedFresno requires a permit for electrical system work, quoting California Building Code section 105.1: 'Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system shall obtain the required permit.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- 'To obtain a permit for work as described above, the applicant shall file an application for permit(s) with the Building and Safety Permit Counter.'
- The application may be satisfied by 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' where plans are not submitted.
- Evidenced by Fresno's own quotation of California Building Code section 105.1 on the Building Permit Center page, which names electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems, together with the City's stated counter process. NO DEDICATED PER-TRADE PAGE was located, so per-trade scope limits and fees are NOT asserted here.
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedFresno requires a permit for plumbing system work, quoting California Building Code section 105.1: 'Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system shall obtain the required permit.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- 'To obtain a permit for work as described above, the applicant shall file an application for permit(s) with the Building and Safety Permit Counter.'
- The application may be satisfied by 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' where plans are not submitted.
- Evidenced by Fresno's own quotation of California Building Code section 105.1 on the Building Permit Center page, which names electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems, together with the City's stated counter process. NO DEDICATED PER-TRADE PAGE was located, so per-trade scope limits and fees are NOT asserted here.
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Permit fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Mechanical Permit
VerifiedFresno requires a permit for mechanical system work, quoting California Building Code section 105.1: 'Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system shall obtain the required permit.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- 'To obtain a permit for work as described above, the applicant shall file an application for permit(s) with the Building and Safety Permit Counter.'
- The application may be satisfied by 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' where plans are not submitted.
- Evidenced by Fresno's own quotation of California Building Code section 105.1 on the Building Permit Center page, which names electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems, together with the City's stated counter process. NO DEDICATED PER-TRADE PAGE was located, so per-trade scope limits and fees are NOT asserted here.
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
VerifiedFresno runs a pre-approved plan programme: 'The City of Fresno's ADU Program encourages the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by offering a selection of pre-approved plans to homeowners.' There are 'five pre-approved plans and three design elevations to choose from for each plan.'
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- The pre-approved plans are not limited to accessory use - they 'can also be used to build small primary homes to help first-time buyers enter the housing market or assist those seeking to downsize.'
- 'Pre-approved plans include plans for solar panels.'
- Fire sprinklers are conditional, not automatic: 'Fire sprinklers may be required for ADU's under certain circumstances.' - for example where 'the primary residence is fire sprinklered, generally the ADU must also be fire sprinklered, or when the ADU will be too close to a property line or adjacent residence.'
- Sprinklers can be the cheaper route: they 'are allowed to be installed as a substitute when the location has deficient fire department access or fire water supplies (including hydrant placement).'
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Residential Solar Permit (SolarAPP+)
VerifiedFresno offers automated solar permitting. Its Building and Safety page announces 'SolarAPP+ Now Available!' and points to information 'on how to apply for instantly approved solar permits'.
Verified 2026-09-11 · Source
Requirements
- Applications run through the SolarAPP+ route for eligible residential systems.
- Fresno's pre-approved ADU plans separately 'include plans for solar panels.'
- Accela Citizen Access remains the City's general online permit route, available 24/7 to create, submit and search applications and to schedule inspections.
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application at the Building and Safety Permit CounterFresno accepts either a plan submittal that clearly details the scope of work for Plan Check staff, or 'completion of the Permit Affidavit Form with itemized fixture and equipment information.' Applications may also be filed through Accela Citizen Access.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar Permit (SolarAPP+) fees | Due at permit issuance | Fresno states 'Payment of all applicable fees shall be due at this time.' at issuance. No dollar figures are published on the Building Permit Center page and none are asserted here. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.
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 Fresno building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.