San Bernardino County, California Building Permit Guide

San Bernardino County Land Use Services, Building and Safety, has its main public counter at the County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0187, open Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm (909.387.8311). Permits can be obtained at a local Building and Safety office or through EZ Online Permitting (EZOP).

This guide covers San Bernardino County Building and Safety and the City of San Bernardino, the county seat. The County’s Building and Safety pages do not say in plain words which areas they cover, so confirm with Building and Safety that your parcel is theirs. The Big Bear office is scheduled to close for renovations beginning in November 2026.

What requires a building permit in San Bernardino County?

The County’s list of work that needs a permit includes:

• New buildings and structures over 120 square feet
• Fences and block walls over 6 ft
• Retaining walls over 4 ft, measured from the bottom of the footing
• Re-roofing
• On-site grading of 100 cubic yards or more

A one-story detached tool or storage shed or playhouse of up to 120 square feet, with no utilities, within setbacks and under 14 feet tall, needs no building permit. Under County Development Code section 84.01.020(b), an accessory structure must go with a legally established primary structure or use under the same owner; before the primary use exists, an accessory structure needs a Temporary Use Permit.

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 San Bernardino County?

San Bernardino County permit costs and fees

Building and Safety fee changes took effect July 1, 2026. Fees have two parts, plan review and building permit, and are based on staff time rather than project valuation; one resubmittal is included in the plan review fee.

Example from the FY 2026/27 Construction Fee Schedule: a custom home (R-3) in construction type VA/VB costs $2,428 at the 1,000 sq ft threshold plus $83.60 for each additional 100 sq ft, or $3,264 at 2,000 sq ft plus $52.75 per additional 100 sq ft.

Septic systems and wells in San Bernardino County

Septic (OWTS) rules follow the County’s Local Agency Management Program, in effect since May 13, 2018. Since 1/22/2024, OWTS design review and sewage holding tank applications go to Land Use Services through EZOP; operating permits for maintenance areas and alternative systems still go to Environmental Health Services.

Well permits come from Environmental Health Services. Inside the Mojave Water Agency’s boundaries, applications submitted on or after August 5, 2024 are asked to include MWA’s Notice of Intent to Extract or Divert Water.

How to get a building permit in San Bernardino County

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

Inspections in San Bernardino County

Inspections are scheduled through the free EZ Inspect app, through EZOP, or by phone at (909) 387-8311; the EZ Inspect help desk is (800) 637-6653 or (909) 501-0873. On-site inspections come with a two-hour window, and the inspector calls on the day to set a time. Virtual inspections are booked to a 15-minute slot, and self-inspection is offered for solar, re-roof and water heater inspections.

Building permits in the City of San Bernardino

The City of San Bernardino issues its own permits through the Building & Safety Division of the Community & Economic Development Department, 201 North E Street, 3rd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92401, (909) 384-5357. The permit service counter is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm and Fridays 8 am to 4 pm; the last sign-in for permit issuance is 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday and 2:30 pm on Friday. City inspections are requested through SB Direct, the City Information Center, at 909-998-2000, with the permit number ready.

Official San Bernardino County permitting resources

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

• Land Use Services: Building and Safety permits
• Land Use Services offices and hours
• Land Use Services FAQs
• Construction Fee Schedule FY 2026/27 (PDF)
• EZ Inspect: inspection requests
• Environmental Health Services: septic
• Environmental Health Services: wells
• Public Works permits
• City of San Bernardino Building & Safety

Frequently asked questions

Does a fence need a permit in San Bernardino County?

Fences and block walls over 6 ft are on the County’s list of work that needs a permit, as are retaining walls over 4 ft measured from the bottom of the footing.

Are San Bernardino County building fees based on valuation?

No. Since the fee changes of July 1, 2026, fees are based on staff time, in two parts: plan review and building permit.

Can I inspect my own water heater installation?

The County offers self-inspection for solar, re-roof and water heater inspections.

Simplify San Bernardino County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the parcel is in a city or on county land, and which county offices beyond Building must sign off
• Line up septic, well, encroachment and fire approvals so they do not hold up the building permit
• File in the county portal, track review rounds and book inspections against 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 San Bernardino County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.