Stanislaus County, California Building Permit Guide

County building permits are issued by the Building Permits Division of the Stanislaus County Department of Planning and Community Development, 1010 10th St, Suite 3400, Modesto. Permits are reviewed by staff from the Planning Department, the Department of Environmental Resources, Public Works and the Fire Warden’s Office, and County Public Facilities Fees are collected there. Appointments are strongly recommended and get priority over walk-ins; pre-development meetings with all reviewing departments are available on request.

This guide covers the County’s Building Permits Division. The County pages checked do not say which parts of the county the division covers, so confirm with the division that it handles your parcel. The Fire Warden’s Fire Prevention Bureau website could not be checked.

What requires a building permit in Stanislaus County?

Measure X: under the Primary and Secondary Sewage Treatment Initiative, the County may not issue a building permit or other entitlement for urban development unless primary and secondary sewage treatment capacity is available and the connection will occur before occupancy. One single-family dwelling on a residential lot recorded before July 13, 1990 is excluded.

Relocated buildings: moving an existing structure for human occupancy requires a completion guarantee deposit with the Chief Building Official of at least $5.00 per square foot and not less than $5,000.00, and the work must be completed within one year.

Mobile homes: in a city’s sphere of influence, a mobile home placed in lieu of a permitted single-family dwelling must have been built after June 5, 1976, and must be completely skirted.

Flood zones: the Building Permits Division is also the floodplain administrator; it reviews base flood elevation certificates and processes FEMA letters of map adjustment. FEMA updated the county’s flood maps in 2020.

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 Stanislaus County?

Since April 4, 2022, new well permit applications must follow the County’s Groundwater Well Siting and Construction Guidelines.

Stanislaus County building code ordinance

The County’s building code ordinance amends Title 16 of the Stanislaus County Code to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code and the 2021 International Property Management Code, with changes to meet Measure X. The Board of Supervisors hearing was November 18, 2025.

Stanislaus County permit costs and fees

The County’s Building Permit Services fee schedule is effective July 18, 2026. Over-the-counter permit fees listed on the County’s fees page include:

• Water heater $169.75; residential reroof $257.50; electrical panel $188.68; HVAC $276.25; stucco/siding $258.00; sewer line repair on property $161.25.
• Only available in the office: demolition $193.02; demolition including septic tank $651.52; new sewer line connection $257.25.

The schedule covers only the Building Permit Division’s services; fees from other County departments, fire districts, school districts and County Public Facilities Fees may be added.

How to get a building permit in Stanislaus County

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

Inspections in Stanislaus County

Inspections are scheduled in the Accela Citizen Access portal, where the day’s inspection route sheet is also posted. The cut-off for next-day building inspections is 4:00 p.m. Posted inspection times are estimates; allow a two-hour window from the time listed.

Official Stanislaus County permitting resources

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

• Stanislaus County Building Permit Services
• Apply for a building permit
• Department fees
• Building fee schedule (PDF)
• Measure X
• Environmental Health septic systems
• Public Works Development Services

Frequently asked questions

What is Measure X?

A County initiative under which a building permit for urban development needs available primary and secondary sewage treatment capacity, with connection before occupancy. One single-family dwelling on a lot recorded before July 13, 1990 is excluded.

Can I get a demolition permit online?

No. The County lists demolition permits as only available in the office.

How much is a water heater permit?

The County lists $169.75 for an over-the-counter water heater permit.

Simplify Stanislaus County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which office has the parcel and which other agencies must sign off before the building permit
• Prepare the application and plans in the format the local portal accepts
• Track plan review, pay fees and schedule inspections against each office’s cut-off

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 Stanislaus County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.