The City of Fontana Building & Safety Department issues building permits from 8353 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335, phone (909) 350-7640. It is open Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed every Friday.
This guide covers Building & Safety, its user fees and inspections, and the Planning, Engineering and Fire offices. The City has posted a 2026 development impact fee study, so impact fee amounts are left out; ask Building & Safety for the current figures.
What requires a building permit in Fontana?
Fontana’s permit record types each have an IVR number for the voice system, for example Re-Roof Residential Permit 116 and Solar PV Permit 121. Two forms apply in specific cases: fences and walls built directly on the property line need a Neighbor Authorization, and an Owner Builder Verification, needed when the owner lets someone else pull the permit, must be notarized.
For ADUs, the City lists pre-approved plans under AB 1332, including a detached 462 sq ft 1-bed/1-bath, a 738 sq ft 2-bed/2-bath and a 1,143 sq ft 3-bed/2-bath plan.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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 Fontana?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building & Safety | Building permits and plan check; 8353 Sierra Avenue; Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | (909) 350-7640 |
| Planning Department | Planning applications; landscape plan checks, permits and inspections since August 12, 2024 | (909) 350-6718 |
| Department of Engineering | Grading plan checks and permits since January 1, 2026 | (909) 350-7610 |
| Fire Prevention (Fire Protection District) | Fire plan checks, permits and inspections; Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fees & Permits (909) 428-8891; Inspections (909) 428-8897 |
| Fontana Unified School District | School fees; 9851 Catawba Ave. | (909) 357-7528, x 29456 |
The Planning Department must receive complete applications and payments by 4:30 p.m. Fire Prevention offers no expedited plan reviews. Engineering’s temporary grading plan check times are 6 weeks for the 1st check, 5 weeks for the 2nd, 4 weeks for the 3rd and 3 weeks after that.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Fontana permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan check/permit extension | $123.00 |
| Incidental/nuisance inspection | $152.00 |
| Archiving | $3 per plan page |
| Training fee | $4 per permit |
| SolarAPP+ processing (charged by SolarAPP+) | $25 |
Since September 30, 2026 online payments carry a 3% + $0.20 service fee per transaction, or a flat $3.00 per ACH transaction. Before a permit is issued, fees must also be paid to other agencies, such as the Inland Empire Utilities Agency for sewer service and the school district.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Fontana
Create an account on the Build Fontana Public Portal; the counter still accepts permit and plan check applications.
Licensed contractors can use SolarAPP+ for solar PV with or without storage; other scope goes through Build Fontana.
About 3-4 weeks for the first review and about 2 weeks after amended plans; expedited solar about 3-5 business days if the PV expedite requirements are met.
Sewer service fees to the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and school fees to the school district.
A lapse of 180 days between inspections voids the permit.
A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the City of Fontana on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in Fontana
Request inspections at build.fontanaca.gov or by calling (909) 350-7693 and following the voice prompts, using the permit’s IVR number. Inspections are regularly scheduled Monday through Thursday only, and a request must be made at least one day before. A lapse of 180 days between inspections voids the building permit, and a new permit is needed to resume construction. Fire inspections are booked with Fire Prevention at (909) 428-8897.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Official Fontana permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Fontana Building & Safety
- Fontana permits and forms
- Fontana plan check
- Fontana: schedule an inspection
- Fontana solar PV with SolarAPP+
- Fontana standard ADU plans
- Fontana Fire Prevention
- Fontana Engineering
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does Fontana inspect on Fridays?
No. Inspections are regularly scheduled Monday through Thursday only, and Building & Safety is closed every Friday.
How long does a Fontana plan review take?
Typically about 3-4 weeks for the first review and about 2 weeks after amended plans; expedited solar about 3-5 business days.
Who handles grading permits in Fontana?
The Department of Engineering, (909) 350-7610, since January 1, 2026.
Simplify Fontana permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm which City divisions and outside agencies the project needs, from building and fire to grading and utilities
- Prepare the plans and forms and file them through the City’s portal or counter
- Book the City’s inspections and track the permit through to final
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.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Fontana permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.