El Dorado County, California Building Permit Guide

The Building Division of the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department issues building permits for the unincorporated county from its Placerville Office, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA 95667. The main phone is (530) 621-5315 and the inspections line is (530) 621-5377. Monday to Friday except Wednesday, walk-ins are taken 8 AM-Noon and appointments only 1 PM-4 PM; on Wednesday, walk-ins are 9 AM-Noon and appointments only 1 PM-4 PM. Permits are applied for in the County’s e-TRAKiT system, with separate online applications for owner-builders and contractors; not all permit types are available online yet.

This guide covers the unincorporated county. The City of Placerville issues its own permits; see below. Fee figures come from a sample fee estimate the County posts (revised 10/01/2025), which is an estimate, not a quote.

What requires a building permit in El Dorado County?

Lake Tahoe region: a new home in the Tahoe basin needs a TRPA residential allocation paired with a development right. Minor work that qualifies as TRPA Qualified Exempt needs a signed Qualified Exempt Activities Declaration Form instead of TRPA review. All construction sites must be winterized between October 15 and May 1, and no grading is allowed in that period.

Wells: Environmental Management requires permits to construct, destroy, deepen or repair a water well.

County roads: work in a county-maintained road easement or right-of-way needs a Department of Transportation encroachment permit under Chapter 12.08 of the county code.

California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments

Who handles permitting in El Dorado County?

El Dorado County permit costs and fees

Building and planning fees are set by Ordinance 5238 and Resolution 164-2023. Half of the building permit fee and the entire planning fee are collected when the application is filed; the rest of the building fee and other agency fees are collected at issuance. Separate checks may be needed at issuance for the permit, the school fee, the Air Quality fee and DOT encroachment permits, each payable to its own agency; school district fees go by separate check to the El Dorado County Office of Education (E.D.C.O.E.).

In the County’s sample fee estimate:

• Building fee: 0.0130 times total valuation, with a $144 minimum application fee.
• Added to the permit fee: a 3.2% technology fee, a 2.45% technology enhancement fee and a 7.59% General Plan Implementation Fee.
• Residential roof-mounted solar: $288 for application and $162 for inspection.
• Environmental Management septic fees: $857 for a new septic system, $429 for a repair, $86 for a review.

How to get a building permit in El Dorado County

A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the El Dorado County Building Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Inspections in El Dorado County

The Building Division’s inspections line is (530) 621-5377, and the day’s inspection schedule is posted online. In the Lake Tahoe region, the County Building Department and TRPA inspect all construction sites for winterization in the first two weeks of October; a failed winterization inspection after October 15th carries a $167.00 re-inspection fee. For wells, the completion report is due to Environmental Management within 60 days of completion.

Building permits in Placerville

The City of Placerville, the county seat, issues its own building permits through its Development Services Building Division (Building Services (530) 642-5240; Placerville City Hall, 3101 Center St). Applications are filed through the city’s portal or at City Hall. City inspections are done on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only; request them by calling 530-642-5240 or through the portal.

Official El Dorado County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• El Dorado County Building Division
• Building fees
• South Lake Tahoe building information
• Environmental Management water well program
• DOT encroachment permits
• City of Placerville Building Division

Frequently asked questions

When must a Tahoe-basin site be winterized?

Between October 15 and May 1, with no grading in that period. A failed winterization inspection after October 15th costs $167.00.

How much of the El Dorado County permit fee is due at application?

Half of the building permit fee and the entire planning fee; the rest and other agency fees are collected at issuance.

Can every permit be filed online?

No. Owner-builders and contractors have online e-TRAKiT applications, but not all permit types are available online yet.

Simplify El Dorado County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether the parcel is in the County’s area or inside a city, and which County offices must sign off
• Prepare the application, plans and forms in the format the County portal accepts
• Track plan review, pay fees and book inspections within the County’s cut-off times

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about El Dorado County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.