Calaveras County Building Permits, Inspections & Department Services
The Calaveras County Building Department handles building permit applications, plan review, permit issuance, construction inspections, grading permits and related building-code services for property under the County’s jurisdiction.
Need to act now? Start with the County’s online permit system if you need to apply, upload plans, search a permit or manage an existing project. For an inspection, use the permit portal, the County inspection-request form or call the inspection line.
Building E
San Andreas, CA 95249
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Requests before 3:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day.
Calaveras County Building Department Contact Information
| Official office | County of Calaveras Building Department |
|---|---|
| Chief Building Official | Doug Oliver |
| Address | 891 Mountain Ranch Road, Building E, San Andreas, CA 95249 |
| Main phone | (209) 754-6390 |
| Inspection line | (209) 754-6390 ext. 3 |
| Online-permit support for contractors | (209) 754-6390 ext. 2 |
| Credit-card payment assistance | (209) 754-6390 ext. 4 |
| Public counter hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; closed weekends and County holidays |
| Online services | Permit applications, permit search, project tracking, document uploads and inspection scheduling |
First Step: Make Sure Calaveras County Is Your Permit Authority
A mailing address that says Angels Camp, San Andreas, Arnold, Murphys, Valley Springs or another community name does not by itself determine which agency issues a permit. Check the property’s actual jurisdiction before preparing an application.
- Unincorporated Calaveras County: start with the Calaveras County Building Department.
- Inside incorporated Angels Camp: the City of Angels Camp maintains a separate Building Department and permitting system.
- Fire district: building projects may also need requirements or fees from the fire protection district serving the parcel.
- Septic or environmental health: projects without municipal sewer service may need Environmental Health review.
- Road access or encroachment: driveway and right-of-way work can require Public Works involvement.
- Planning and zoning: setbacks, land use, parcel restrictions and project location can require Planning approval before or during building review.
For an uncertain parcel, have the street address and Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) ready before contacting the department.
How to Apply for a Calaveras County Building Permit
-
Confirm the permit type and jurisdiction.
Identify whether the work is a new dwelling, addition, remodel, accessory structure, deck, reroof, solar system, mechanical/electrical/plumbing work, grading, demolition, pool or commercial project. -
Check Planning and other agency requirements.
Before investing in final construction drawings, confirm zoning setbacks, property access, septic or sewer requirements, fire-district requirements, grading issues and any project-specific conditions. -
Create your online permit account.
Open the Calaveras County Online Permit Services portal. Homeowners, agents and design professionals can create an account. Licensed contractors who need a contractor account should contact Building Department support at ext. 2. -
Prepare the application and plans.
Download the applicable application, site-plan requirements and project checklist from the County’s Forms & Documents library. Match every document to the same property, APN and project scope. -
Submit the application and digital documents.
In the permit portal, choose the appropriate permit application, enter accurate property and applicant information, describe the full scope of work and upload the required files. -
Pay required plan-review or permit charges.
The County publishes base fees and amounts due at submittal. Additional school, fire, planning, wastewater, Public Works or other charges may apply. The online portal currently directs applicants to the Building Department for payment processing. -
Respond to plan-review comments.
If corrections are requested, revise the plans and supporting documents consistently. Do not change only one sheet while leaving conflicting information elsewhere in the plan set. -
Obtain the issued permit before regulated work begins.
Keep the approved plans and permit information available at the project site and follow the approved scope. -
Request inspections at required construction stages.
Do not cover work that requires inspection. Use the online portal, inspection form or inspection phone line. -
Complete final approval.
Correct any inspection deficiencies, submit required final documents and obtain final approval or a certificate of occupancy when applicable.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
The exact package depends on the project. For a simple over-the-counter permit, the paperwork can be limited. A new residence, major addition or commercial project requires substantially more.
| Document or information | When it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Building permit application | Every permit application |
| Property address and APN | Used to identify the parcel and coordinate agency review |
| Project description | Should describe the complete scope, not simply “new house” or “remodel” |
| Site or plot plan | New buildings, additions and projects affected by setbacks, access, drainage or utilities |
| Floor plans and elevations | New buildings, additions and many structural alterations |
| Foundation, framing and structural details | Structural work and new construction |
| Engineering | When the proposed design falls outside prescriptive code provisions or site conditions require engineering |
| Title 24 energy documentation | Applicable new construction, additions and energy-regulated alterations |
| CALGreen documentation | Where required by the California Green Building Standards Code |
| Waste-management plan | Applicable projects under County construction-waste requirements |
| Fire, septic, grading or Public Works documents | When the site or project triggers review by those agencies |
Open the official 2026 Single Family Residence Plan Submittal Guide (PDF).
Calaveras County Building Permit Fees for 2026
The Building Department’s current fee schedule became effective August 8, 2026. The figures below are published base fees; they are not always the final project total. School, fire, Planning, Public Works, wastewater, Environmental Health and other charges can apply.
| Permit type | 2026 base fee | Amount listed as due at submittal |
|---|---|---|
| Single/Two Family Dwelling | $5,701 | $2,850.50 |
| Manufactured Dwelling | $1,627 | $813.50 |
| Limited Density Rural Dwelling | $4,503 | $2,251.50 |
| Residential Addition | $4,020 | $2,010 |
| Residential Remodel | $1,947 | $973.50 |
| Residential Accessory Structure | $1,814 | $907 |
| Residential Deck | $1,115 | $557.50 |
| Porch, Patio or Carport | $1,158 | $579 |
| Agricultural Building | $928 | N/A |
| Commercial New Building | $9,743 | $4,871.50 |
| Commercial Tenant Improvement | $4,349 | $2,174.50 |
| Demolition | $408 | N/A |
| In-ground Pool or Spa | $1,330 | N/A |
Common Over-the-Counter and Service Fees
| Service | Published 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Residential over-the-counter permit | $248 |
| Reroof | $350 |
| Water heater | $139 |
| Building permit renewal | $477 |
| Plan revision | $477 |
| Certificate of Occupancy inspection | $246 |
| Compliance/Special inspection | $260 |
| Inspection hourly rate | $173 |
| Plan-review hourly rate | $173 |
| Retaining wall over 4 feet | $810 |
For current amounts, use the official Calaveras County Building Department fee schedule.
How Long Does Permit Review Take?
The County publishes projected review times, but workload and project complexity can change them. A complete submittal is important because missing plans, inconsistent information or unresolved outside-agency requirements can add time.
| Project type | First review | Second review |
|---|---|---|
| Over-the-counter, in person | About 15-30 minutes for issuance | As applicable |
| Over-the-counter, online | About 24-48 hours during normal business hours | About 24 hours for corrections/revisions |
| Small projects such as decks and carports | 20 working days | 10 working days |
| New dwellings and additions | 30 working days | 15 working days |
| New commercial buildings/additions | 40 working days | 15 working days |
| Commercial alterations | 35 working days | 15 working days |
| Plan revisions | 10 working days | 5 working days |
These are the Building Department’s published projections, not guaranteed completion dates.
How to Schedule a Building Inspection
You can request an inspection in three ways: through the online permit portal, through the County’s Building Inspection request form, or by phone at (209) 754-6390 ext. 3.
- Have the permit number ready. The County’s inspection form shows the permit-number format as B20-0000.
- Provide the project address. Make sure it matches the issued permit.
- Select or state the inspection type. Request the inspection appropriate to the construction stage.
- Give a contact name and working phone number. Inspectors may need field coordination.
- Submit before 3:00 p.m. when possible. Requests received before 3:00 p.m. are typically scheduled for the next business day; later requests are typically scheduled for the following business day.
- Check the scheduled inspection window. The County uses a two-hour window consisting of approximately one hour before and one hour after the scheduled time.
E-Inspect Remote Inspections
Qualifying licensed contractors can use the County’s E-Inspect program for certain eligible permit types. Current listed categories include building sewer replacement, generator installation, HVAC replacement, residential reroof, roof-mounted solar, water-heater replacement and water-service replacement.
The contractor must hold the appropriate active California specialty license and submit the required compliance/certification material and clear photographs. The County can reject incomplete or inadequate submissions and require a regular field inspection.
Projects That May Not Require a Building Permit
Calaveras County publishes a residential permit-exemption guide based on the applicable residential code. Common examples listed by the County include:
- One-story detached accessory structures, other than storm shelters, with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet.
- Fences not more than 7 feet high.
- Retaining walls not more than 4 feet from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
- Water tanks directly supported on grade with capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons and within the stated height-to-width ratio.
- Sidewalks and driveways, subject to other agency requirements.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.
- Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep.
- Certain wall-supported window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches and needing no additional support.
- Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling and not serving a required exit door.
Grading, Excavation and Site Work
A grading permit is generally required when a project moves more than 50 cubic yards of earth. The County states that a grading permit may not be required when all listed exemption conditions are satisfied, including disturbed area under one acre, fill depth not exceeding one foot and excavation depth not exceeding two feet.
Engineered grading plans are generally required when a project involves more than 1,000 cubic yards of soil, and engineering may also be required for smaller projects with steep slopes, drainage concerns or other site conditions.
The County’s published target for review of a complete grading-permit application is approximately 20 days, although complexity and workload affect actual processing time.
Review the official Calaveras County grading requirements before moving significant quantities of soil.
Building Codes Used in Calaveras County in 2026
The 2025 California Building Standards Code, Title 24, became effective statewide on January 1, 2026. Calaveras County’s current residential submittal guidance identifies the applicable California code families that must be used for current project design.
- 2025 California Building Code
- 2025 California Residential Code
- 2025 California Electrical Code
- 2025 California Mechanical Code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code
- 2025 California Energy Code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
- 2025 California Fire Code, where applicable
- 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, where applicable
- Other applicable Title 24 provisions and local requirements
Current California code editions can be reviewed through the California Building Standards Commission code library.
Homeowner vs. Contractor Permit Requirements
A homeowner performing work on the homeowner’s own residence does not need a Calaveras County business license simply to pull the permit. A California-licensed contractor performing work in Calaveras County generally must have a County business license before a building permit is issued.
The County also states that a contractor who has a valid City of Angels Camp business license may provide that license in place of obtaining a separate Calaveras County business license for this purpose.
For an online contractor account, contact permit-service support at (209) 754-6390 ext. 2 and be ready to provide the contractor license number, business name, contact email and field-inspection phone number.
How to Search a Calaveras County Permit or Check Status
- Open the County Online Permit Services portal.
- Select Search Permit if you are researching an existing record.
- Use the available record information, such as permit number or property information.
- For your own application, sign in to the account used for submission.
- Review project activity for application status, uploaded documents, inspections and outstanding actions.
If a historic or unusual record cannot be located online, call the Building Department with the property address, APN and any known permit number.
Before You Submit: Practical Checklist
- Confirm whether the parcel is under County jurisdiction or inside Angels Camp.
- Verify zoning setbacks and land-use restrictions before finalizing plans.
- Determine whether septic, well, driveway, grading or fire-district review applies.
- Use the correct 2025 California code cycle for 2026 applications.
- Make the written project scope match the plans exactly.
- Use the correct site plan for the parcel and show required property information.
- Include engineering, energy or CALGreen documentation where required.
- Check the current fee schedule instead of relying on an old estimate.
- Keep approved plans available during construction.
- Schedule required inspections before concealing regulated work.
Calaveras County Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Calaveras County Building Department located?
The Building Department is at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, Building E, San Andreas, CA 95249. Published public hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding County holidays.
2. Can I apply for a Calaveras County building permit online?
Yes. The County’s Online Permit Services system allows registered users to submit permit applications, upload documents, track permit activity, search records and schedule inspections. Payment processing is currently handled separately through the Building Department.
3. How do I schedule a building inspection?
Use the County online permit portal, submit the online Building Inspection request form, or call (209) 754-6390 ext. 3. Provide the permit number, address, inspection type, preferred date and a reliable contact number.
4. What is the inspection cutoff time?
Inspection requests received before 3:00 p.m. are typically scheduled for the next business day. Requests received after 3:00 p.m. are typically scheduled for the following business day.
5. How much is a single-family dwelling permit in 2026?
The Building Department’s fee schedule effective August 8, 2026 lists a $5,701 base fee for a single/two-family dwelling, with $2,850.50 listed as due at submittal. School, fire and other agency fees can increase the total project cost.
6. Does a small shed require a building permit?
The County’s residential exemption handout lists a one-story detached accessory structure, other than a storm shelter, as building-permit exempt when its floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. Other zoning, setback, fire or site requirements may still apply.
7. Does a deck require a permit in Calaveras County?
A deck may be exempt only when it meets all published exemption conditions: not more than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling and not serving a required exit door. A deck outside those conditions should be evaluated for permitting.
8. How long does residential plan review take?
The County publishes a projected first-review time of 30 working days for new dwellings and additions, followed by approximately 15 working days for a second review. Small projects are listed at about 20 working days for first review. These are projections, not guarantees.
9. Which building code applies in 2026?
The 2025 California Building Standards Code became effective January 1, 2026. Applicable projects can involve the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, CALGreen, Fire and Wildland-Urban Interface codes together with applicable local requirements.
10. Does the County Building Department handle permits inside Angels Camp?
Do not assume it does. Angels Camp is an incorporated city and maintains its own Building Department and permit services. Verify the property’s city limits before filing so the application goes to the correct jurisdiction.
Bottom Line
For a Calaveras County building project, first verify the property’s jurisdiction, identify the correct permit type and gather all site, zoning and agency requirements before submitting plans. Use the County’s online portal for applications and permit tracking, schedule inspections before covered work proceeds, and budget beyond the published base permit fee when school, fire, planning, roadway or wastewater charges apply.
For project-specific approval, the final authority is the Calaveras County Building Department or, for property inside incorporated Angels Camp, the City of Angels Camp Building Department.