Find the Correct County Permit, Submit Through EZOP and Reach Final Inspection
First confirm the County is your permit authority. San Bernardino County Building & Safety mainly handles projects in unincorporated County areas. A property inside an incorporated city may need that city’s building department instead.
Once jurisdiction is confirmed, use this page to choose a permit, prepare plans, submit through EZ Online Permitting, pay fees, answer corrections, schedule inspections and verify final closure.
Choose the Exact Action You Need
San Bernardino County Next-Step Finder
Choose the situation that best matches your project.
Confirm County or City Jurisdiction Before You Apply
Use County Building & Safety when
- The parcel tool identifies County Building & Safety as the service agency.
- The property is in an unincorporated County community.
- The EZOP parcel record accepts the APN and County service district.
Stop and check the city when
- The address is inside an incorporated city or town.
- The parcel tool names a city building department.
- The mailing address says San Bernardino but the actual jurisdiction may differ.
Open the County parcel tool
Use the address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN).
Read the service agencies shown
Confirm which agency handles Building & Safety, Planning, Fire and other services.
Save the APN
You will use it to find the property, choose the right application and discuss the project with staff.
Building & Safety Phone, Technical Support and Status Emails
Choose the Office Serving Your Area
San Bernardino
County Government Center
385 N. Arrowhead Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
DirectionsHesperia / High Desert
Jerry Lewis High Desert Government Center
15900 Smoke Tree St., Suite 131
Hesperia, CA 92345
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
DirectionsBig Bear
477 Summit Boulevard
P.O. Box 2835
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Hours: Tuesday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
DirectionsTwin Peaks
26010 State Highway 189
P.O. Box 709
Twin Peaks, CA 92391
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
DirectionsJoshua Tree
63665 Twentynine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Hours: Wednesday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM
DirectionsBefore visiting
The County strongly encourages appointments for in-person visits. Call first when you need a specific reviewer, historical file or technical discussion.
Contact Land Use ServicesProjects the County Guide Lists as Requiring a Permit
Project |
County starting point |
Important extra check |
|---|---|---|
New building or accessory structure over 120 sq. ft. |
Building permit |
Zoning, legal primary use, setbacks, fire and utilities |
Addition, alteration or structural repair |
Building permit |
Plan review and separate trade permits |
Roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar |
Solar permit |
Electrical, structural, fire access and ground-mount zoning |
Patio cover or enclosed patio |
Building permit |
Setbacks, attachment, wind and electrical work |
Pool or spa |
Pool permit |
Barrier, electrical, plumbing, septic and setbacks |
Carport, garage or barn |
Building permit |
Primary use, zoning, fire, grading and utilities |
Fence or block wall over 7 ft. |
Building / zoning check |
Height, setbacks, visibility and engineering |
Retaining wall over 4 ft. from bottom of footing, or any wall supporting surcharge |
Building permit |
Engineering, grading, drainage and property lines |
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical or structural repair |
Trade / building permit |
Licensed contractor and coordinated inspection sequence |
Re-roofing |
Building permit |
Decking, insulation, solar and high-wind installation |
On-site grading of 100 cubic yards or more |
Grading application |
Land Development, drainage and erosion control |
Demolition, temporary structure, erosion control or wall/monument sign |
Project-specific permit |
Utilities, Fire, Planning and site restoration |
Common Building & Safety Application Categories
New construction
Residential, multifamily, nonresidential and mixed-use construction.
Addition or alteration
Residential additions, residential alterations, nonresidential additions and tenant improvements.
Manufactured home
Installation, associated site work and required County inspections on qualifying private property.
Grading
Cut, fill, drainage, erosion-control and related land-development work.
Electrical, mechanical or plumbing
Trade work that may be connected to a larger building permit.
Solar or solar farm
Roof, ground-mounted and larger energy projects with structural, electrical and planning review.
Addressing
New or corrected address work where required for development or emergency service.
Demolition
Removal work with utility, environmental, safety and site-condition requirements.
Nonresidential accessory
Accessory buildings or structures supporting an established nonresidential use.
Apply Through EZ Online Permitting in Seven Clear Steps
Find the APN and confirm jurisdiction
Search the official parcel tool and note the agencies serving the property.
Choose the exact application category
Use the EZOP permit directory. Do not select a familiar-sounding category if the project combines building, grading, planning, fire or trade work.
Register and create the record
The County recommends a desktop or laptop for portal transactions. Use the legal owner, contractor or authorized agent information that matches the forms.
Upload coordinated forms and plans
The project description, construction type, scope, APN, valuation and plan set should agree. Use readable PDFs and clear file names.
Pay the first invoice when notified
County staff reviews the intake and sends the plan-check fee notice. Online payment options listed by the County include Visa, Mastercard, Discover or bank-account payment.
Respond to plan-review comments
Download the review notes, revise the correct sheets and upload a complete response. Repeat until all required disciplines approve.
Clear every “Prior to Issuance” condition
Open My Records, select the record number and expand Record Info, Payments and Conditions. A plan approval does not automatically clear outside department conditions.
Who Can Pull the Permit and What They Should Prepare
Licensed contractor
- Photo identification
- Current California contractor license and classification
- Permit Declaration form
- Project and owner information
Contractor’s agent
- Notarized Contractor Authorized Agent Form
- Authorization naming a person, not only a business
- Permit Declaration form
- Agent identification
Owner-builder
- Proof of ownership and identity
- Owner-Builder Acknowledgement
- Understanding of supervision and liability duties
- Licensed trades where legally required
What a Residential Plan Set Should Clearly Show
Plan component |
Show clearly |
Common delay to avoid |
|---|---|---|
Plot / site plan |
Property lines, structures, setbacks, utilities, easements, roads, drainage, trees, driveway and parking |
Missing distances or ignoring grading and drainage paths |
Floor plan |
Room uses, dimensions, doors, windows, headers, joists, fixtures, HVAC and electrical layout |
Scope says one thing while the floor plan shows another |
Roof plan |
Slope, rafters or trusses, sheathing, roof covering and connection to existing roof |
Omitting high-wind installation details or truss information |
Foundation plan |
Footings, pads, slab, piers, girders, joists and site-specific construction |
Generic details that do not match soil, slope or building layout |
Energy / supporting documents |
Required energy calculations, structural calculations and product information |
Submitting calculations that reference a different plan revision |
Erosion and drainage |
Drainage direction and controls preventing sediment from leaving the site |
Waiting until grading review to address obvious drainage conflicts |
How to Answer Plan-Review Corrections Without Creating Another Review Cycle
Download every comment and attachment
Check EZOP attachments, Conditions and the email from the assigned project manager.
Assign each comment to the correct person
Separate architectural, structural, energy, fire, grading, septic, planning and trade comments.
Write a numbered response
Repeat the comment, state the action taken and identify the exact sheet or document.
Upload one coordinated revision set
Update sheet dates and revision marks. Remove superseded files only as the portal or reviewer instructs.
Confirm the resubmittal reached the reviewer
For plan-check status, contact the assigned project manager or email luspminbox@lus.sbcounty.gov with the permit number.
Extra Reviews That Often Affect County Parcels
Property or project condition |
Contact or review to check |
Why it can delay issuance |
|---|---|---|
Private well or septic system |
Environmental Health and site-plan coordination |
Building location, replacement areas, water supply and wastewater approval may conflict |
High fire-hazard or mountain area |
County Fire, access, defensible space and fire-protection systems |
Road access, sprinklers, water supply and construction details may be required |
Joshua trees or native vegetation |
Planning, protected-species rules and the required acknowledgment/form |
Clearing or relocating protected vegetation can require approval before grading |
Sloped land or major earthwork |
Grading, drainage, geotechnical and Land Development |
Cut/fill, retaining walls, erosion and access may need separate engineering |
Manufactured home |
Zoning, installation method, utilities and Building & Safety |
Private property, mobile-home-park and temporary-use rules differ |
ADU |
Planning standards, utilities, septic, fire and model-plan eligibility |
A pre-approved plan does not remove parcel-specific zoning and site requirements |
Road, driveway or drainage work |
Public Works and Land Development |
Access, encroachment, drainage and infrastructure conditions may be due before issuance or final |
Schedule the Inspection and Prepare the Job Site Correctly
Request online anytime
Building & Safety inspection requests can be submitted online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through EZOP.
Morning time window
The inspector calls the contact person on the request during the morning and provides a two-hour estimated arrival window.
Daily route guide
The route list is refreshed between 9:00 and 10:00 AM. It is only a guide and may change because of cancellations or field conditions.
Have ready when requesting
- Permit number
- Correct inspection type
- Property address
- Contact name and phone
- Gate or access instructions
- Confirmation work is ready
Have ready on site
- Issued permit
- Approved full-size plans
- Safe access to the work
- Work left uncovered
- Required ladders or panels accessible
- Previous corrections completed
Use the Permit Record—not Guesswork—to Confirm the Sequence
Find Permits, Inspections and Older Property History
Applications after June 30, 2017
The County says online permit research is free and includes Building & Safety applications submitted after June 30, 2017.
- Search in EZOP
- View or print permits
- View or print inspections
Older or incomplete history
Use the official permit-research process when the record is older, missing or requires a manual search.
- Property-owner instructions differ from non-owner requests
- Gather ownership or authorization documents
- Submit the online research request
Estimate Costs Without Treating the Estimate as the Final Invoice
What changed
Building & Safety fee changes took effect July 1, 2025. The County explains that its plan-review and permit components are primarily based on estimated staff time using plan-check and inspection data rather than a simple project-valuation formula.
What may be separate
- School fees
- Traffic fees
- Drainage fees
- Fire review
- Planning or Land Development
- Other agency conditions
Interactive fee schedule
Shows fees that may relate to selected services, but is not a complete project estimate.
Open fee scheduleFinal amount
The total is determined during application review after the County identifies all permits, services and conditions.
Call 909-387-8311Fix Common EZOP, Plan-Review and Inspection Problems
Problem |
Likely reason |
Best next action |
|---|---|---|
Parcel tool names a city |
The property is inside incorporated city limits |
Stop the County application and contact that city’s building department |
EZOP cannot find the property |
Address format or APN mismatch |
Use the parcel tool, copy the APN and call technical support |
Application shows submitted but nothing moves |
Intake review, missing attachment or fee notice |
Open Payments, Conditions and Attachments; email customer service with the record number |
Plan review appears stalled |
Comments, outside conditions or project-manager queue |
Contact the assigned project manager or email luspminbox@lus.sbcounty.gov |
Permit says approved but cannot be issued |
A Prior to Issuance condition or fee remains open |
Open Record Info → Conditions and Payments |
Inspection cannot be scheduled |
Permit not issued, wrong inspection type or hold on record |
Check the permit attachment and inspection list, then call 909-387-8311 |
Inspector cannot enter the site |
Gate, animal, locked area or missing access information |
Add precise access instructions and provide a reachable contact number |
No online record for old construction |
Application predates June 30, 2017 or record is incomplete |
Use the official permit-research request |
Work differs from approved plans |
Field revision was made without review |
Pause affected work and ask the project manager whether revised plans are required |
Open permit found during a sale |
Final inspection or outside condition was never completed |
Request history, identify remaining inspections and obtain closure proof before relying on the improvement |
What to Say When You Contact the County
“The APN is [number] and the property is at [address]. I plan to [exact scope]. Can you confirm the correct EZOP record type, required plans, outside approvals and inspections?”
“Permit [number] at [address] currently shows [status]. Which review or condition is outstanding, and which document should I submit next?”
“I need the [inspection type] for permit [number]. The work is uncovered, approved plans are on site and access instructions are [details]. The contact number is [phone].”
“I am researching [address/APN]. Please confirm whether permit [number] passed final inspection and identify any open related permits or conditions.”
Do Not Treat the Project as Finished Until These Are Confirmed
- County jurisdiction confirmed
- Correct APN used
- Correct permit record selected
- Planning and zoning cleared
- Fire, septic, grading or other reviews completed
- Plan-check fees paid
- Corrections fully answered
- Prior to Issuance conditions cleared
- Permit attachment issued
- Approved 24×36 plans on site
- Required inspections passed
- Trade finals completed
- Building final approved
- Certificate of occupancy obtained when required
- Final status saved from EZOP
- Owner receives all closeout records
San Bernardino County Government Center Map
Open the Correct County Tool
San Bernardino County Building & Safety FAQs
Does San Bernardino County issue permits for every address in the county?
No. County Building & Safety generally serves unincorporated County areas. Use the official parcel tool to identify whether the County or an incorporated city provides building-permit services for the property.
Where do I apply for a San Bernardino County building permit?
Use the County’s EZ Online Permitting portal. Confirm the APN and jurisdiction first, then register, choose the correct application, upload documents and monitor the record for fees, conditions and review comments.
What phone number should I call for Building & Safety help?
Call 909-387-8311 or the toll-free support line at 800-722-4542. The County FAQ also lists 760-995-8140 for desert-area permit questions.
How do I check plan-review status?
Contact the project manager assigned to the case. The County says this information is emailed to the applicant. You may also email luspminbox@lus.sbcounty.gov and include the permit number.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Log into EZOP, open My Records, select the permit, expand Record Info, open Inspections and request the available inspection date. The inspector calls the request contact on the morning of the inspection with a two-hour estimated arrival window.
Do approved plans need to be printed for the inspection?
Yes. The County states that approved building plans must be printed full size at 24 by 36 inches and kept on the job site throughout the inspection process.
Can I research old permits online?
Online research is free for Building & Safety applications submitted after June 30, 2017, and can show permits and inspections. Use the County’s permit-research request for older or incomplete records.
Are County fee-estimator results the final permit cost?
No. The County states that estimator results are preliminary. Other divisions and agencies may charge additional fees, and the total is determined during the application process.
Can a tenant pull the building permit?
The County’s first-time-user guidance says a tenant cannot pull a permit unless the tenant is an authorized agent for either the property owner or the contractor.
Does a small structure that needs no building permit still have to meet setbacks?
Yes. The County residential guide states that building setbacks must be maintained whether or not a building permit is required. Zoning, fire, utility, septic and overlay rules may still apply.
Accuracy and Freshness
Building-Department.org is an independent informational website and is not San Bernardino County. Applications, fees, zoning determinations, plan approvals, inspections and enforcement decisions must be handled through the County or the correct incorporated city.
This guide was checked against San Bernardino County Land Use Services, Building & Safety, EZ Online Permitting, permit-research, plan-review, inspection, contact and fee resources.
Last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Office schedules, forms, fees, portal screens, codes and application requirements may change. Confirm time-sensitive information before visiting, paying or beginning work.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.