City of San Bernardino California

What you need...

• All building permits will require a completed Building Permit Application
• If your project's scope of work only involved mechanical, electrical or plumbing work, submit a completed Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing Permit Application
• Submit a completed Permit Application Declaration (required prior to issuance of a permit). If plans are required, this form is not required at the time of plan check submittal.
  
• For online submittals, please see Plan Check Submittals for details.

Where plans are required as a condition of permit issuance, please submit the following for review:

• Three (3) printed copies of the plans, minimum of 24"x36" or larger in size, that are completely assembled and stapled together

Note: All plans must be large enough to be clearly legible in detail and print. Plans marked "Not for Construction" will be rejected.

• Two (2) hard copies of any supplemental documents such as structural calculations, energy calculations, geotechnical report, etc. engineer.

• All plans must be signed by the preparer. Professionally Prepared Plans prepared by a California registered architect or engineer must be wet-stamped and signed on the cover sheet or title sheet that contains the sheet index - all other pages may be digitally stamped. All structural calculation packages, specifications, and/or geotechnical reports must be wet-stamped signed by the preparing professional on the sheet or introduction page.
  
  
• For online submittals, please email the above information to: CD-Technician@sbcity.org

With exception to expedited residential solar and residential electric vehicle charging station plans, all plans must be submitted in-person. We do not accept the submittal of plans or plan check applications by courier, mail, or by email.

• Expedited Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems:

  For qualified expedited residential solar photovoltaic systems, please submit a completed Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Residential Solar Permitting together with a completed Building Permit Application and a copy of the plans as required.

  Applications for expedited residential solar photovoltaic systems may be made online or in person. For online submittals, please send a PDF copy of the plans, a completed eligibility checklist, and a completed building permit application to CD-Technician@sbcity.org.

  For in-person applications, two (2) paper copies of the plans, a completed eligibility checklist, and a completed building permit application are required.

   

• Expedited Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:

  Please submit a completed copy of the EV Charging Station Guidelines for Residential Application together with a completed Building Permit Application. Applications for residential electric vehicle charging stations may be submitted online or in person. For online applications, please submit a completed guidelines form and a completed building permit application to CD-Technician@sbcity.org

  For installation information, please refer to the Electric Vehicle Charging SCE Electrician’s Guide

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for Commercial / Industrial / Multi-Family Properties:
  
  For requirements, please refer to Electric Vehicle Charging Station Requirements for Commercial/Industrial/Multi-Family Properties

Online permit applications are also accepted for the following types of residential permits:

• Single-family residential electrical re-wires
• Single-family residential water re-pipes
• Single-family residential electrical panel upgrades
• Single-family residential re-roofs

Please submit your completed Permit Application to CD-Technician@sbcity.org. Once your permit application has been accepted, you will be notified and given instructions for payment of fees. 

Contractors:Please be advised that to obtain a permit online, you must possess the Appropriate State Contractor’s License for the work being done and possess a current City business license. We verify this information for all applications.

The Community and Economic Development Department – Building and Safety Division is the agency charged with the administration and enforcement of the building regulations and requirements prescribed by the California Building Standards Code found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24. San Bernardino specifically adopts the following California codes as the municipal building laws of the community.

• California Building Code
• California Green Building Standards
• California Plumbing Code
• California Mechanical Code
• California Existing Buildings Code
• California Historic Buildings Code
• California Referenced Standards Code
• California Administrative Code
• California Fire Code (San Bernardino County Fire Protection District)

With few exceptions, these codes are followed by all California cities and counties with some minor modification depending on the jurisdiction. For more information on the adopted building codes, please visit the California Building Standards Commission.

Homeowners, in most cases, may obtain a permit to do the construction, alteration, or repair of a one or two-family dwelling or an accessory structure thereto, if:

• The owner resides or intends to reside in the dwelling, showing proof of residence;
• The construction is performed by the owner, and;
• The owner signs a statement that no person will be employed in a manner as to become subject the workers’ compensation laws of the State of California. Prior to issuance of the permit, the signature and identity of the applicant is verified. A current California driver’s license or ID card, or other positive legal means of identification will meet this requirement.

Permits are issued to contractors that hold the appropriate state license for work being performed. All contractors are required to show proof of their contractor’s license and possess a current business license with the City. In addition, contractors with employees will need to provide proof of workers compensation insurance at time of permit issuance.

All agents applying for a permit on behalf of a property owner or contractor, must have a signed and identifiable letter of authorization.

A building permit is NOT required for the following:

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11 m²).
• Except masonry walls, fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high. Planning Division approval is required for all fence/wall plans to ensure compliance with zoning regulations.
• Oil derricks.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class l, ll or lll - A liquids.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish.
• Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
• Window awnings in Group R-3, and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) form the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m²) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve an exit door.

For a complete list of work exempt from a permit and/or additional information, please refer to the California Building Code section 105.2. and the California Residential Code section R105.2