Building permits in Fresno are issued by Building and Safety in the City’s Planning and Development Department, 2600 Fresno Street, Room 3043, Fresno, CA 93721 (559.621.8277). In-person service is on the 3rd floor of City Hall by appointment through QLess; the City lists appointment times of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
This guide covers Building and Safety, its fees effective July 1, 2026, permit expiry and inspections, and the ADU, solar, fire and easement rules that go with a Fresno permit.
Which permits apply in Fresno?
Working without a required permit can cost up to 4 times the permit fee. Same-day express permits are offered for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.
ADUs: the City’s ADU Program offers five pre-approved plans, each with three design elevations. Pre-approved and custom ADU plans no longer need a Zone Clearance and go straight to a building permit.
Easements: putting a structure, pool or similar into an easement needs an easement encroachment permit from Public Works Land Development, for a fee of $420.00. Land Development also sets public infrastructure and dedication requirements during building plan check.
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 Fresno?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and Development Department | 2600 Fresno Street, Room 3043; in person on the 3rd floor of City Hall by QLess appointment | 559.621.8277 |
| Building and Safety: Building Permits | Permit applications and status | 559.621.8084 |
| Building and Safety: Inspection Services | Inspections; field inspectors are assigned by area | 559.621.8116 |
| Public Works Land Development | Easement encroachment permits; infrastructure and dedication requirements | – |
| Fresno Fire Department | Fire protection and life safety system test reports, filed through The Compliance Engine | – |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Fresno permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Technology surcharge on all building permits | 23.79 |
| Reinspection other than entitled calls, per trip | 100.21 |
| Premature inspection (work not ready), per trip | 67.65 |
| Special inspection, regular business hours (1-hour minimum) | 182.90 per hour |
| Special inspection, other hours (1-hour minimum) | 207.96 per hour |
| Working without a required permit | Up to 4 times the permit fee |
| Renewing an expired permit | 25% of the original permit fee |
| Easement encroachment permit (Public Works) | $420.00 |
Solar and fire system filings in Fresno
SolarAPP+ gives instant solar permits for single-family and duplex projects; commercial solar installations must apply for a standard solar permit through ACA. Since April 15, 2026 the Fresno Fire Department requires all fire protection and life safety system test reports to be filed electronically through The Compliance Engine.
Contractors are licensed statewide by the Contractors State License Board (Classes A, B, B-2 and C) for work of $1,000 or more or any permitted work; a city may also require a business licence or tax registration. Contractor licensing in California
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Fresno
Accela Citizen Access is available 24/7 to create, submit and search applications and see status, comments and due dates.
Backchecks and addendums, invoices and fee payments are all handled in ACA.
Book a QLess appointment for the 3rd floor of City Hall.
Each approved inspection moves the expiration date to 180 days from that inspection.
An expired permit can be renewed for 25% of the original fee; after one year or more with no activity it is void and new permits are needed at full fees.
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 Fresno on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Fresno
Field inspectors are assigned by area. Inspections are scheduled and their status checked through the City’s automated voice response system, Voice Permits, or online in ACA; Inspection Services is at 559.621.8116. A premature inspection, where the work is not ready, costs 67.65 per trip, and a reinspection other than entitled calls 100.21 per trip.
Official Fresno permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Fresno Building and Safety
- Fresno Building Permit Center
- Fresno building services and inspections
- Fresno Master Fee Schedule, Planning & Development
- Fresno ADU Program
- Fresno SolarAPP+
- Fresno Fire Prevention
- Fresno Public Works Land Development
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
How long is a Fresno building permit good for?
Each approved inspection moves the expiration date to 180 days from that inspection; a permit with no activity for one year or more becomes void.
Do Fresno ADUs need a Zone Clearance?
No. Pre-approved and custom ADU plans no longer require a Zone Clearance and are submitted directly for a building permit.
Can a commercial solar project use SolarAPP+ in Fresno?
No. SolarAPP+ is for single-family and duplex projects; commercial solar needs a standard permit through ACA.
Simplify Fresno 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 Fresno permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.