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Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.8.4 — PERMITS, FEES, APPLICATIONS AND INSPECTIONS

2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1.8.4.1 Permits. A written construction permit shall be obtained from the enforcing agency prior to the erection, construction, recon- struction, installation, moving or alteration of any building or structure.

Exceptions: 1. Work exempt from permits as specified in Chapter 1, Scope and Application, Division II, Administration, Section R105.2. 2. Changes, alterations or repairs of a minor nature not affecting structural features, egress, sanitation, safety or accessibility as determined by the enforcing agency. 3. Retroactive permits issued in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.12.

Exemptions from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of other provisions of law or this code.

1.8.4.2 Fees. Subject to other provisions of law, the governing body of any city, county, or city and county may prescribe fees to defray the cost of enforcement of rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The amount of the fees shall not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to administer or process permits, certificates, forms or other documents, or to defray the costs of enforcement. For additional information, see State Housing Law, Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 1.5, Section 17951 and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 3, commencing with Section 6.

1.8.4.3 Plan review and time limitations. Subject to other provisions of law, provisions related to plan checking, prohibition of exces- sive delays and contracting with or employment of private parties to perform plan checking are set forth in State Housing Law, Health and Safety Code Section 17960.1, and for employee housing, in Health and Safety Code Section 17021.

1.8.4.3.1 Retention of plans. The building department of every city, county or city and county shall maintain an official copy, micro- film, electronic or other type of photographic copy of the plans of every building, during the life of the building, for which the department issued a building permit.

Exceptions:

1. Single or multiple dwellings not more than two stories and basement in height.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

2. Garages and other structures appurtenant to buildings listed in Exception 1. 3. Farm or ranch buildings appurtenant to buildings listed in Exception 1. 4. Any one-story building where the span between bearing walls does not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm), except a steel frame or concrete building.

All plans for common interest developments as defined in Section 4100 of the California Civil Code shall be retained. For additional information regarding plan retention and reproduction of plans by an enforcing agency, see Health and Safety Code Sections 19850 through 19852.

1.8.4.4 Inspections. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or other regulations of the Department of Housing and Community Development. Required inspections are listed in Chapter 1, Scope and Application, Division II, Administration, Sections R109.1.1, R109.1.1.1, R109.1.3, R109.1.4, R109.1.4.1, R109.1.4.2, R109.1.5, R109.1.5.1, R109.1.5.2, R109.1.5.3, R109.1.6, R109.1.6.1 and

R109.1.6.2.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
  1. ▸ Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    Overview
    1. Section 1.1 — GENERAL
    2. Section 1.2 — RESERVED
    3. Section 1.3 — RESERVED
    4. Section 1.4 — RESERVED
    5. Section 1.5 — RESERVED
    6. Section 1.6 — RESERVED
    7. Section 1.7 — RESERVED
    8. Section 1.8 — DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT …
    9. Section 1.8.2 — AUTHORITY AND ABBREVIATIONS
    10. Section 1.8.3 — LOCAL ENFORCING AGENCY
    11. Section 1.8.4 — PERMITS, FEES, APPLICATIONS AND INSPECTIONS
    12. Section 1.8.5 — RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR ENFORCEMENT
    13. Section 1.8.6 — LOCAL MODIFICATION BY ORDINANCE OR REGULATION
    14. Section 1.8.7 — ALTERNATE MATERIALS, DESIGNS, TESTS AND METHOD…
    15. Section 1.8.8 — APPEALS BOARD
    16. Section 1.8.9 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
    17. Section 1.8.10 — OTHER BUILDING REGULATIONS
    18. Section 1.9 — RESERVED
    19. Section 1.10 — RESERVED
    20. Section 1.11 — OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
    21. Section 1.12 — RESERVED
    22. Section 1.13 — RESERVED
    23. Section 1.14 — RESERVED
    24. Section R101 — SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    25. Section R102 — APPLICABILITY
    26. Section R103 — CODE COMPLIANCE AGENCY
    27. Section R104 — DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
    28. Section R105 — PERMITS
    29. Section R106 — CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
    30. Section R107 — TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND USES
    31. Section R108 — FEES
    32. Section R109 — INSPECTIONS
    33. Section R110 — CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
    34. Section R111 — SERVICE UTILITIES
    35. Section R112 — MEANS OF APPEALS
    36. Section R113 — VIOLATIONS
    37. Section R114 — STOP WORK ORDER
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
  4. Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
  5. Chapter 5 — FLOORS
  6. Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
  8. Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
  9. Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
  10. Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
  11. Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  12. Appendix AA — BOARD OF APPEALS
  13. Appendix AB — PERMIT FEES
  14. Appendix AC — RESERVED
  15. Appendix BA — RESERVED
  16. Appendix BB — TINY HOUSES
  17. Appendix BC — RESERVED
  18. Appendix BD — RESERVED
  19. Appendix BE — RADON CONTROL METHODS
  20. Appendix BF — PATIO COVERS
  21. Appendix BG — SOUND TRANSMISSION
  22. Appendix BH — AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES
  23. Appendix BI — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION
  24. Appendix BJ — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
  25. Appendix BK — COB CONSTRUCTION (MONOLITHIC ADOBE)
  26. Appendix BL — HEMP-LIME (HEMPCRETE) CONSTRUCTION
  27. Appendix BM — 3D-PRINTED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
  28. Appendix BN — EXTENDED PLATE WALL CONSTRUCTION
  29. Appendix BO — EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
  30. Appendix CA — RESERVED
  31. Appendix CB — RESERVED
  32. Appendix CC — RESERVED
  33. Appendix CD — RESERVED
  34. Appendix CE — RESERVED
  35. Appendix CF — RESERVED
  36. Appendix CG — NONSEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
  37. Appendix CH — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  38. Appendix CI — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
  39. Appendix CJ — EMERGENCY HOUSING
  40. Appendix CK — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRAL…

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