The Building and Safety Division of the Merced County Community & Economic Development Department issues building permits and inspects all construction in the unincorporated areas of Merced County, from 2222 M St., 2nd Floor, Merced, CA 95340, phone (209) 385-7477, open Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, closed county holidays. Permits are issued through the County’s online system at permits.countyofmerced.com, with no paper applications; applicants can also email permits@countyofmerced.com and a Permit Technician will enter the application.
This guide covers unincorporated Merced County. Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos and Merced run their own building departments; the City of Merced’s website could not be checked.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →What requires a building permit in Merced County?
- Exempt: a one-story detached tool shed or playhouse up to 120 square feet of roof area and 12 feet high, with no plumbing, mechanical or electrical, limited to one per parcel.
- Over the counter, no plans: re-roofing with similar materials, electrical and gas service changes, same-size window, water heater and HVAC replacements, and stucco or re-siding; small residential patios and solar may also qualify.
- Moved houses: a house moved within or into the county needs a pre-move inspection from Building & Safety, a zoning check by Planning and a bond equal to the estimated cost of bringing it up to code.
- Road right-of-way: work in the county road right-of-way needs a Public Works encroachment permit under Chapter 13.30 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 Merced County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building and Safety Division | Building permits and inspections; 2222 M St., 2nd Floor, Merced | (209) 385-7477; permits@countyofmerced.com |
| Community & Economic Development (Planning) | Zoning approval, use permits, flood zone check | Reviews the project before Building and Safety |
| Environmental Health | Septic (County Code Chapter 9.54) and wells (Chapter 9.28) | (209) 381-1100 |
| Public Works (Roads) | Encroachment permits; 345 W. 7th St., Building A, Merced; Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm | (209) 385-7601 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Well and borehole applications include a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) GSP Consistency Determination Form.
Merced County permit costs and fees
At plan check the County collects Planning, Building Plan Check, Public Works (Roads), Environmental Health and Fire plan check fees. School impact fees are set by each school district and paid at the County office when the permit issues.
How to get a building permit in Merced County
Planning checks whether the project needs a Conditional Use Permit, Administrative Permit or Plot Plan Approval and whether it is in a flood zone, then sends it to Building and Safety.
Parcels in a water or sewer district need a wet-signed can-and-will-serve letter; outside a sewer district, Environmental Health reviews the septic system.
At permits.countyofmerced.com, or by email to permits@countyofmerced.com.
Initial plan checks take 4-6 weeks from complete plans and payment; rechecks up to two more weeks.
School impact fees are paid at the County office when the permit issues.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the Merced County Building and Safety Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in Merced County
Request inspections before 4:00 PM the business day before, by calling (209) 385-7477 or through the online portal with the permit number and inspection type. For a specific time, call the inspector between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on the inspection day.
For encroachment permits, notify Public Works at least 24 hours before starting work by calling the permit clerk at (209) 385-7601, and keep the permit on site.
Rather not deal with the Merced County building department?
Get a free quote →Official Merced County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Merced County Building and Safety
- County permit guide (PDF)
- Environmental Health septic systems
- Environmental Health well systems
- Public Works Roads
- Encroachment permit conditions (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Does a small shed need a permit in Merced County?
Not if it is a one-story detached tool shed or playhouse up to 120 square feet of roof area and 12 feet high, with no plumbing, mechanical or electrical; one per parcel.
Can I file a paper application?
No. Applications go through permits.countyofmerced.com, or by email to permits@countyofmerced.com for a Permit Technician to enter.
How long is plan check?
Initial plan checks take 4-6 weeks from complete plans and payment, and later rechecks up to two more weeks.
Simplify Merced 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
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
Ready to break ground in Merced County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Merced County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Merced County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.