Fontana Building Permits, Inspections & Permit Help in 2026
Most applicants can use the City’s online permitting system to submit applications, follow plan review, pay applicable fees and request inspections.
If you landed here because you need a permit, want to check an application, are waiting for plan review, need an inspection, or are trying to find permits for an existing property, you do not need to search through several City pages first. The practical steps are organized below.
First: Make Sure the Property Is Actually in Fontana
A Fontana mailing address does not always answer every jurisdiction question. Before paying for drawings or filing an application, verify that the City of Fontana is the permitting authority for the parcel.
If the property is outside city jurisdiction, the applicable county or another city may handle the permit instead. This matters because permit portals, fees, building-code amendments and inspection procedures can differ between neighboring jurisdictions.
Do You Need a Building Permit in Fontana?
The exact requirement depends on the work. New construction, additions and work that changes structural, electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems commonly enters the permit process. The City’s Building & Safety document library also provides dedicated instructions or forms for projects such as fences and walls, patio covers, swimming pools and spas, solar systems, EV charging stations, residential alterations, room additions, tenant improvements and new homes.
| Project | What to check before starting |
|---|---|
| Room addition / new home | Building permit, plans, zoning/site requirements and plan review. |
| Interior remodel | Check whether walls, structure, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems are changing. |
| Tenant improvement | Building plans plus possible Planning, Fire and Engineering clearances. |
| Fence or block wall | Check placement and specifications. Work directly on a property line can require neighbor authorization. |
| Solar PV | Use Fontana’s solar permit instructions or SolarAPP+ when the project qualifies. |
| Pool or spa | Review permit, barrier/fencing and applicable electrical/plumbing requirements. |
| EV charging | Use the City’s residential or multifamily/commercial EVCS guidance. |
| ADU | Check Planning requirements, site conditions and Fontana’s pre-approved ADU plan options. |
Do not assume that small work is automatically exempt. Even when a building permit is not required, zoning, property-line, fire, utility or other rules can still affect the project.
How to Apply for a Fontana Building Permit
The City describes the permit process in three broad stages: application and plan submission, authorization and verification, and permit generation.
- Define the project clearly. Write down the property address and exactly what will be built, removed, replaced or altered. Note whether electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, grading or occupancy changes are involved.
- Open the official permit system. Go to the Build Fontana / Accela Citizen Access portal. Register or sign in when the application requires an account.
- Choose the correct record or application type. Do not select a permit simply because its name sounds close. If the correct record type is unclear, call Building & Safety first.
- Prepare the application and plans. Upload the site plan, drawings, calculations and supporting information required for your project. The City’s Building & Safety Document Library contains applications and project-specific checklists.
- Submit for plan review when required. Some straightforward work may not need a full plan-check cycle. Additions, new construction, tenant improvements and more complex work normally require plan review.
- Respond to corrections. If the reviewer returns comments, revise the plans and answer all correction items rather than starting a second unrelated application.
- Complete authorizations and clearances. Depending on the project, this can include owner-builder documentation, property-line authorization, Planning, Fire, Engineering or outside-agency approvals.
- Pay fees and obtain the issued permit. An application submission is not permission to begin permit-required work. Wait until the permit is actually issued.
For fences or walls constructed directly on a property line, Fontana lists a neighbor authorization requirement. If someone other than the owner or signing contractor will pull a permit, the required authorization may need to be notarized. Newly purchased properties can also require proof of ownership.
Fontana Plan Check: What Happens and How Long It Takes
The Building & Safety Plan Check Section reviews submitted plans for compliance with applicable building, fire, safety and related requirements.
| Review stage | City’s published timeframe |
|---|---|
| First plan review | Typically about 3–4 weeks |
| Subsequent review after amended plans | Typically about 2 weeks |
| Qualifying expedited solar review | About 3–5 business days when PV expedite requirements are met |
These are published typical review periods, not guaranteed permit dates. Missing documents, major corrections, project complexity or approvals from other departments can extend the overall process.
How to check your Fontana plan-check status
- Open the online permit portal.
- Search or sign in to access your application.
- Have the plan-check number or property address ready.
- If the online record does not answer your question, call (909) 350-7640 or email Building@fontana.org.
Documents That Can Prevent an Incomplete Submittal
Requirements vary by project, but applicants should expect to provide enough information for the reviewer to understand both the existing condition and proposed work.
- Completed permit/plan-check application.
- Property address and parcel information.
- Owner, applicant and contractor information.
- Clear written scope of work.
- Site or plot plan when applicable.
- Floor plans, elevations and construction details.
- Structural plans and calculations when required.
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical information when those systems are affected.
- California Title 24 energy documentation when applicable.
- CALGreen/construction-waste documents when applicable.
- Planning, Fire, Engineering or outside-agency approvals when required.
Commercial tenant improvements
Fontana’s 2026 tenant-improvement checklist is particularly detailed. It calls for information such as the APN, site address, business name, scope of work, occupancy data, plot plan, accessible route information, dimensioned floor plans, reflected ceiling information, plumbing/mechanical layouts, electrical plans, Title 24 energy information and structural details where applicable.
The checklist also notes that restaurant and food-establishment projects may require San Bernardino County Health approval, and that separate fire-related review can apply when fire-protection systems are modified.
Fontana Building Permit Fees and Online Payment Costs
There is no single price for a Fontana building permit. The City’s comprehensive schedule contains separate fees for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, plan review, inspections and many project-specific services.
The amount can also include charges outside Building & Safety. The City notes that Planning, Engineering, Fire, sewer-related agencies, school districts or other agencies can be involved depending on the project.
For the detailed schedule, use the City’s Comprehensive Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026. Because permit charges can combine multiple items, use the final City invoice rather than estimating the entire project from one fee row.
How to Schedule a Fontana Building Inspection
Building inspections can be requested online or through the City’s automated inspection phone system.
- Wait until the permit is active and the work is ready. Do not request an inspection just to hold a date when the required work will still be incomplete.
- Open the online permitting system or call (909) 350-7693. Follow the inspection prompts when using the phone system.
- Select the correct inspection type. Use the inspection required for the current construction stage.
- Request it at least one day ahead. The Building & Safety inspection page states that inspections are regularly scheduled Monday through Thursday and requests must be made at least one day before the anticipated inspection.
- Prepare the site. Make the work accessible and keep a copy of the approved plans and permit available for the inspector.
- Check the result before covering work. If corrections are required, complete them and arrange reinspection as instructed.
If the inspector arrives and the requested work is not complete or accessible, another inspection may be required and a reinspection charge can apply.
How to Search Fontana Permit History for a Property
Permit history can be useful before buying a property, planning a remodel or checking whether previous additions appear in City records.
- Open Fontana’s Historical Property Permit Information page.
- Choose the permit address search.
- Enter the site address using the available search fields.
- Review the matching permit information.
- If you need an actual copy of a permit or a document that is not available in the search, submit the City’s public-records request described on that page.
An empty search should not automatically be treated as proof that work was never permitted, particularly for older properties. Ask Building & Safety about record availability if the history matters to a purchase or construction decision.
Which Building Codes Apply in Fontana in 2026?
Fontana identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Code as the current code cycle for 2026 projects, together with applicable local requirements.
- 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 Fire Code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
Use Fontana’s official Codes & Local Amendments page for City-specific information. For a broader explanation of the statewide cycle, see our California Building Code 2026 guide.
When Planning, Fire or Engineering Is Also Involved
A building permit is only one part of some projects. The fastest approach is to identify the other approvals early rather than discovering them after plan review begins.
| Issue | Likely City function | Practical example |
|---|---|---|
| Building-code compliance | Building & Safety | Construction plans, building permits and field inspections |
| Land use / setbacks | Planning | ADUs, additions, site configuration, changes of use |
| Fire protection | Fontana Fire Prevention | Fire sprinklers, alarms, certain commercial projects or hazardous uses |
| Grading | Engineering | Fontana transferred grading plan checks and permitting to Engineering effective January 1, 2026 |
| Public right-of-way | Engineering / Public Works | Work involving streets, curbs, sidewalks or public infrastructure |
For grading specifically, the City states that the Department of Engineering assumed responsibility for grading plan checks and permitting beginning January 1, 2026. Do not automatically submit grading work to Building & Safety because an older project used that workflow.
ADU applicants: Fontana has pre-approved designs
Fontana publishes pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit plans under its AB 1332 program. The listed designs include detached plans of approximately 462 square feet (1 bed/1 bath), 738 square feet (2 bed/2 bath) and 1,143 square feet (3 bed/2 bath).
Pre-approval does not mean you can build without site-specific review. Property conditions, setbacks, utilities and permit approval still matter. Start with the City’s Standard ADU Plans page.
A Practical Fontana Permit Checklist
- Confirm the property is under City of Fontana jurisdiction.
- Define the exact construction scope.
- Check Planning or other approvals before finalizing plans.
- Download the correct Fontana application or project checklist.
- Prepare complete drawings and calculations.
- Submit through Build Fontana or use the building counter when appropriate.
- Monitor plan-check comments and respond to every correction.
- Complete required Planning, Fire, Engineering or outside-agency clearances.
- Verify the invoice and pay only through legitimate City channels.
- Wait for permit issuance before starting permit-required construction.
- Request inspections before concealing regulated work.
- Keep approved plans and the permit available at the jobsite.
- Avoid a 180-day lapse between inspections.
- Complete the final inspection and required project closeout.
Fontana Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Fontana Building Department located?
The City of Fontana Building & Safety Department is located at 8353 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335. The main Building & Safety phone number is (909) 350-7640.
2. What are the Fontana Building & Safety office hours?
The City’s current department page lists Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and says the department is closed every Friday. Check the official page before making a special trip because holiday or temporary service hours can change.
3. Can I apply for a Fontana building permit online?
Yes. Fontana encourages applicants to use its Build Fontana / Accela Citizen Access portal for electronic applications and plan-related services. The City also continues to provide counter service for permit and plan-check applications.
4. How long does Fontana building plan review take?
The City says a first plan review typically takes about 3–4 weeks. Subsequent reviews after amended plans are submitted typically take about two weeks. Qualifying expedited solar reviews are listed at about 3–5 business days.
5. How do I schedule a Fontana building inspection?
Use the City’s online permitting system or call the automated inspection line at (909) 350-7693. Building & Safety states that inspections are regularly scheduled Monday through Thursday and should be requested at least one day in advance.
6. What happens if I go 180 days without an inspection?
Fontana states that a lapse of 180 days between inspections will void the building permit and a new permit will be required before construction resumes.
7. How much does a Fontana building permit cost?
There is no single permit price. Fees depend on the project, permit type, plan review, inspections and applicable trade work. Planning, Fire, Engineering, sewer, school or other fees can also apply. Use the City’s current comprehensive fee schedule and final project invoice.
8. How can I look up old building permits in Fontana?
Use the City’s Historical Property Permit Information tool and search by site address. If you need a copy of a permit or records not available online, follow the City’s public-records request process.
9. Which building code applies in Fontana in 2026?
Fontana’s current code page identifies the 2025 California Building Standards Code cycle, including the applicable Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire and CALGreen codes, along with local requirements.
10. Who handles grading permits in Fontana in 2026?
The City states that its Department of Engineering assumed responsibility for grading plan checks and permitting effective January 1, 2026. Grading submissions are handled through the City’s permitting process under the updated Engineering workflow.
Before You Start Work
The easiest way to avoid a costly permit problem is to confirm the jurisdiction, permit type and required plans before construction begins. For Fontana projects, start with Building & Safety, prepare the documents that match your exact project, respond carefully to plan-check comments, and do not cover work before the required inspection.
If you already have a permit number or plan-check number, keep it nearby whenever you call the City. It makes permit, inspection and plan-review questions much easier to trace.
Independent guide: USBuilding.org is not the City of Fontana and does not issue permits or make code determinations. Permit requirements, fees, office hours and online systems can change. The City of Fontana is the final authority for a property-specific permit or inspection decision.