Building Permit FAQ's & Information

FAQ's & Quick Links

The Benefits of Obtaining Building Permits

Download Permit Application Process

You will protect the outcome and investment value of your construction project and guard against a lawsuit or injury by obtaining building permits. The following information describes simple steps you can take to obtain a building permit and how permits can work for you. You’ll be surprised at how easy the whole process is.

Building permits are very beneficial to you and your community. By working with an expert code official, you will benefit from their knowledge of building codes to ensure your construction project is built right, will be safe and will last.

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What is a Building Permit?

A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.

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When Do You Need a Permit?

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call your local building department. Discuss your plans with the code official before beginning construction to determine whether you need a permit. Even if a permit is not needed, the code official will answer construction questions and may provide valuable advice.


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Required 12.24.010

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure; or install a mobilehome; or to install or alter any plumbing or electrical wiring or fixtures therein in the unincorporated territory of Lassen County subject to regulations of this article without having first obtained a building permit therefore from the Lassen County building inspector (Ord. 427 § 5(A), 1977: Ord. 416 § 5(A), 1974: Ord. 369 § 5(a), 1965)

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Permits are usually required for the following:

  • New buildings, including the placement of manufactured homes
  • Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
  • Residential work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, etc.)
  • Renovations (garage conversions, basement conversions, kitchen expansions, reroofing, siding, etc.)
  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or make costly repairs.

A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a code official’s carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. By following code guidelines, the completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.

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Permits are not required for the following:

  • One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
  • Fences not over 6 feet high.
  • Oil derricks.
  • Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high.
  • Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A-liquids.
  • Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
  • Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below.
  • Painting, papering and similar finish work.
  • Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches.
  • Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.
  • State-owned buildings under the jurisdiction of the state fire marshal.

Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

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Building Permit Process

  1. Talk to Your Local Code Official

    2. Your code official wants your project to be a success and will help you avoid potential problems that could cost you time and money. You will be asked some basic questions (What are you planning to do? Where?), advised of any requirements, and, if necessary, referred to other departments for their approval. The code official will provide you with the resources and information needed for compliance with the applicable building codes. You will then receive an application for a building permit.

  2. Submit Application

    3. At this stage you will document the “Who, What, When, Where and How” of the job, along with any sketches or plans of the proposed work.

  3. Review Process

    4. In a brief amount of time, the code official will review your plans and determine if your project is in compliance with local requirements. If your plans meet these requirements, a permit is issued. If not, the code official may suggest solutions to help correct the problem.

  4. Receive Permit

    5. Now that you have been approved for a permit, you have legal permission to start construction. A fee, based on the size of the job, is collected to cover the cost of the application, the review and the inspection process. An experienced code official is available to you should you have any question concerning your project. You should consider your code official as an ally who will help you make your project a success.

  5. Job-site Visits

    6. On-site inspections will be required to make certain the work conforms to the permit, local codes and plans. Again, you will have access to the expertise of the code official to help you with questions or concerns regarding the project and to minimize potentially costly mistakes. The code official will let you know approximately how many inspections may be needed for your project. Usually, a one day notice is needed when requesting visits.

  6. Final Approval

    7. The code official will provide documentation when construction is complete and code compliance is determined. You will then have the personal satisfaction of a job done right. Enjoy your new surroundings with the peace of mind and the knowledge that they meet the safety standards in your community.

    If takes everyone in a community to keep our homes, schools, offices, stores and other buildings safe for public use. Your safe construction practices help protect you, your family, your friends and your investment. Be sure to get your local code official involved with your project, because the Building Division is an important ally, from start to finish.

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Building Design Criteria

  • Seismic zone - 3
  • Wind Exposure - "C" at 85 m.p.h.
  • Frost line - 18 inches
  • Snow load - varies throughout the county. Contact us with your assessors parcel number (APN) and the property address to determine the snow load for your area.

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Required Contents for Plot Plans

A detailed plot plan, drawn to scale, must be submitted in conjunction with any development permit application. The plot plan should include at a minimum the location and dimensions of the following:

  • Detailed description of parcel location using address, landmarks, post mile markers, or any other helpful features.
  • Setbacks from structures to property lines and distances between structures.
  • Existing and proposed dwellings and accessory structures.
  • Existing or proposed driveway(s), turnouts, turnarounds, and parking areas.
  • Driveway width and length must be shown.
  • Public or private roadways directly adjacent or leading to the parcel.
  • Well and septic tank/leachfield or sewer lines.
  • Any streams, drainages, or other bodies of water.
  • Any unique physical features.

At the Plot Site

  1. Clearly identify the project site by posting your name or street address conspicuously at that location.
  2. If property is unimproved and unfenced, property lines should be flagged or property corners clearly posted.

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Questions Regarding Inspections or Building Code Requirements

Questions regarding inspections or general Building Code requirements can be referred to either Mike Johnson or Charlie Palmer depending on the location of your project. Please direct your questions to the inspector assigned to your area. There is some over-lap, but generally our inspectors cover the following areas:

Mike Johnson: mjohnson@co.lassen.ca.us
  • Honey Lake Valley
  • South County
  • Janesville
  • Johnstonville
  • Standish
  • Litchfield
Charlie Palmer: cpalmer@co.lassen.ca.us
  • Westwood/Clear Creek
  • Eagle Lake
  • Johnstonville
  • Big Valley
  • Pittville
  • Little Valley

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Permit Status Inquiries:

For inquiries regarding the status of a building permit or a permit application, you may contact Kelley Kelley our Permit Technician at kkelley@co.lassen.ca.us

Plan Check Inquiries:

Kevin Bailey, our Senior Inspector, handles the majority of the plan check duties with the exception of manufactured homes and garages of which many are performed by Mike Johnson. Inquiries regarding the status of your plan review can be directed to them.

Kevin Bailey: kbailey@co.lassen.ca.us
Mike Johnson: mjohnson@co.lassen.ca.us

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