Why are Building Permits and Inspections Required?
The City of Grand Terrace Building Division is charged with providing for life safety and the safeguard of property through enforcement of the California Building, Residential, Green Building Standards, Electrical, International Property Maintenance, Plumbing & Mechanical Codes, laws and municipal ordinances
Can I as a homeowner apply for a construction permit?
Yes. Homeowners are required to complete an “Owner-Builder” form
What are the building permit fees based on?
Building permit fees are calculated based on the valuation of the project. Please refer to the City of Grand Terrace fee schedule (Download: residential, commercial) or contact our office for assistance.
What types of work require Building Permits?
Please refer to our list below for types of work requiring building permits. Most new construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and structural repair or replacement require a Building Permit. Please note this is a partial list of items requiring a building permit, please contact the Building & Safety Division if unsure whether a specific project requires a building permit.
Some typical projects requiring permits:
- New homes and buildings
- Room additions, patio enclosures, sun rooms, and carports
- Kitchen and Bathroom remodels
- Decks and patio cover
- Garage conversions
- Storage sheds (larger than 120 sq. ft.)
- Swimming pools and spas
- Re-roofing
- Window and door installations or alterations
- Water softeners
- Water heaters
- Fences (6 feet or higher in height)
- Fireplaces and fireplace inserts
- HVAC systems and wall heaters
- Electrical service and sub-panels
- Insulation and drywall
- Exterior siding
- Skylights
- Retaining walls
- Shower/tub enclosure replacements
- Re-wiring
- Re-piping
- Fixture replacement and/or installation (sinks, toilets, shower valves, outlets, switches, and more)
What types of work do not require Building Permits?
Items that typically do not require Building Permits are listed below per 2022 CRC, Part 2.5 Section R105.2
- One-story detached accessory buildings used as storage sheds, playhouses or similar use, providing the square footage does not exceed 120 square feet
- Retaining walls not over (4) feet in height measure from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
- Painting, papering, carpet, or similar work
- Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4
- Fences (Less than 6 feet in height)
- Sidewalks and driveways
Please note, that even though building permits may not be required for the items listed above, some types of work mentioned may still require approval from the Planning Division and/or Public Works Department.
How long are Building Permits good for?
Building permits are typically valid (6) months from the date of issuance or the last approved inspection.
How long does it take to receive a building permit?
Permits that do not require plan submittal are available over-the-counter. If plan review is required, the turnaround for plan check may be around 10 business days or less, depending on the project's complexity and information provided by the design professional. Building Department Staff can estimate a timeline upon submittal or over the phone.
Which code does the Building & Safety Division follow?
- California Building Code 2022 Edition, Volumes 1, 2
- California Electrical Code 2022 Edition
- California Mechanical Code 2022 Edition
- California Plumbing Code 2022 Edition
- California Referenced Standards Code 2022 Edition
- California Residential Code 2022 Edition
- California Green Building Standards Code 2022 Edition
- California Fire Code 2022 Edition
- California Energy Code 2022 Edition
- California Historical Building Code 2022 Edition
- California Existing Building Code 2022 Edition
- California Administrative Code 2022 Edition