OC Public Works’ Building and Safety (OC Development Services) handles grading and building permits for the unincorporated areas of Orange County and for County-owned projects. The permit counter is at the County Service Center, 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701; its line, (714) 667-8888, is staffed Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the OCPW general office line, (714) 667-8800, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits are applied for online at myOCeServices.ocgov.com after creating an account; questions about private-property projects go to privateproperty@ocpw.ocgov.com.
This guide covers unincorporated Orange County and County-owned projects. Work inside a city goes to that city; Santa Ana’s contacts are below.
What requires a building permit in Orange County?
- Who can pull a permit: the property owner or an authorized agent, meaning a licensed contractor or anyone with a notarized letter from the owner naming them as agent.
- Right-of-way: work in the County right-of-way (public streets, roads, sidewalks and alleys), and use of County or Flood Control District property, needs an OC Public Works encroachment permit, applied for at myOCeServices.ocgov.com; questions go to encroachment@ocpw.ocgov.com.
- Wells: under the Orange County Well Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2607), a permit is needed before building or destroying any well.
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 Orange County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| OC Public Works permit counter | Building and grading permits; County Service Center, 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana | (714) 667-8888; privateproperty@ocpw.ocgov.com |
| OC Public Works Inspection Services | Building inspection | (714) 667-8820 |
| OC Public Works Inspection Services | Grading, subdivision and encroachment inspection | (714) 245-4550 |
| OC Health Care Agency, Environmental Health | Well permits; 1241 E. Dyer Road, Suite 120, Santa Ana; reception 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | (714) 433-6000 |
Orange County building codes
Orange County adopted and amended the 2025 California building codes by Ordinance No. 25-018 and the 2025 Plumbing Code by Ordinance No. 25-019, both on November 4, 2025. Submittals from January 1, 2026 are under the 2025 codes.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Orange County permit costs and fees
The OC Development Services fee schedule (effective July 21, 2024) sets fees by fiscal year:
| Permit | FY 2024-25 | FY 2025-26 | FY 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reroof | $342 | $362 | $370 |
| Roof-mounted solar (including the County Standard Plan) | $428 | $448 | $455 |
| Ground-mounted solar | $848 | $890 | $909 |
How to get a building permit in Orange County
Work inside a city goes to that city.
The owner, a licensed contractor, or an agent with a notarized letter from the owner.
Create an account at myOCeServices.ocgov.com; encroachment permits are applied for there too.
A permit expires if work is not started within one year of issuance, and can be extended only once, for up to 180 days, before it expires.
Building inspection (714) 667-8820; grading, subdivision and encroachment (714) 245-4550.
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 OC Development Services on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in Orange County
OC Public Works Inspection Services does building, grading, subdivision and encroachment inspections in the unincorporated areas. General building inspection: (714) 667-8820. Grading, subdivision and encroachment inspection: (714) 245-4550.
Well permits in Orange County
The OC Health Care Agency enforces the Well Ordinance in unincorporated areas and 29 of the 34 cities; Anaheim, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Orange and San Clemente enforce their own. OC well permits take a minimum of 10 business days to approve and stay in effect for one year; contact 714-433-6287 or 714-433-6286, or EHOCWells@OCHCA.COM.
Building permits in Santa Ana
In the City of Santa Ana, the county seat, building, plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical permits are issued by the Building Safety Division of the Planning and Building Agency, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Ross Annex, M-20, Santa Ana, CA 92701; phone (714) 647-5800. Its public counter is open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and alternating Fridays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since July 1, 2026, all plans and applications must be submitted through the City’s Accela Citizen Access portal, with a free account; paper is no longer accepted.
Rather not deal with the Orange County building department?
Get a free quote →Official Orange County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- OC Development Services Building and Safety
- OC Development Services contacts
- Permitting FAQs
- Adopted codes
- Development fees
- Encroachment permits
- OC Health Care Agency well permitting
- City of Santa Ana Building Safety Division
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
How long is an Orange County permit good for?
It expires if work is not started within one year of issuance, and it can be extended only once, for up to 180 days, before it expires.
Can someone else pull the permit for me?
Yes: a licensed contractor, or anyone with a notarized letter from the owner naming them as agent.
Does the County permit wells in Anaheim?
No. Anaheim, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Orange and San Clemente enforce their own well rules; the Health Care Agency covers unincorporated areas and the other 29 cities.
Simplify Orange County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- 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.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Orange County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.