You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-20.
Merced building permits
VerifiedMerced, California — as published 2026-09-20.
Verified 2026-09-21 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
VerifiedMerced runs permits through Civic Access and publishes both today's inspection schedule and today's inspection results to anyone, without an account - but publishes no plan-check turnaround figure at all.
Verified 2026-09-21 · Source
Requirements
- EVERYTHING GOES THROUGH ONE PORTAL. The city lists the same set of actions against Civic Access: "Apply for all building permits, including uploading plans and documents", "Paying Fees", "Tracking permit, plan review and inspection status", "Permit issuance" and "Scheduling building permit inspections".
- REVISIONS TO AN ALREADY-APPROVED PLAN HAVE THEIR OWN FORM: "Use the Narrative form and upload, along with your revisions or deferrals to the permit portal". A revision is not a fresh submittal and is not made by re-uploading the drawings alone.
- A TENANT IMPROVEMENT IS DEFINED, AND THE SEQUENCE IS STATED: "A tenant improvement is any alteration, renovation, and/or remodeling of an existing commercial or industrial tenant space or structure. Before any tenant improvement construction begins, plans shall be submitted for review and approval and building permit issued, final inspection passed prior to occupancy." The city adds: "You are advised to check with the Current Planning Department for any zoning regulation."
- A PROJECT OUTSIDE THE CITY CAN STILL NEED THE CITY. "If your project is not in the City of Merced, you may still connect to the Sewer System if you are in the service area and a health hazard exists according to the Merced County Health Department" - and that route runs through a Development Application, City Council approval, and only then a sewer service connection.
- SEWER AND WATER CONNECTIONS ARE TRIGGERED BY THE BUILDING PERMIT, not applied for separately first: each "begins when a building permit application has been submitted". A sewer connection is required "for any new construction or any existing building in case of a septic tank failure"; a water connection "for any new construction or any existing building if the service does not meet the current demand".
Required documents
- Optional
- Optional
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fees | NOT PUBLISHED as a schedule on the pages read. | The FAQ answers the cost question with a phone number rather than a figure: "Contact the Inspection Services Department at (209) 385-4773 for permit fees." No fee schedule or valuation table appears on the building pages. |
| Accessibility upgrade cost, on an alteration | Capped at 20 per cent of the adjusted construction cost. | "When the cost of full compliance with Section 11B-202.4 would exceed 20 percent, compliance shall be provided to the greatest extent possible without exceeding 20 percent." And the floor: "In no… Show full citationHide"When the cost of full compliance with Section 11B-202.4 would exceed 20 percent, compliance shall be provided to the greatest extent possible without exceeding 20 percent." And the floor: "In no case shall the cost of compliance be less than the 20 percent of the adjusted cost of construction." |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-21.
Applications & forms
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 Merced building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.