San Bernardino Building Permit Office

The City states that, with limited exceptions, permits are required for structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning work. Minor projects such as some water-heater replacements or electrical-panel upgrades may be issued without a full plan review, while additions, new construction and more involved alterations normally require plans before permit issuance.

San Bernardino does not route every building project through a general online plan-submittal portal. The City’s Building & Safety instructions state that, except for specified expedited residential solar and residential electric-vehicle charging station applications, plan check submittals are made in person. Plans are not generally accepted for plan check by courier, mail or email.

There is a separate limited online procedure for several residential permit types. Completed applications may be emailed for single-family electrical re-wires, water re-pipes, electrical panel upgrades and re-roofs. After an application is accepted, the City provides fee-payment instructions.

A simple example of the planning/building distinction appears in the City’s permit exemptions: certain fences may be exempt from a building permit based on height and construction, but the City still requires Planning Division approval for fence and wall plans to verify zoning compliance.

Building inspection requests are made through SB Direct at 909-998-2000. The City instructs applicants to have the permit number available when scheduling.

The City’s permit lookup can be searched by address, permit number, contractor license number or parcel number. The lookup reports that its information is updated hourly. Building & Safety also links a project-status system for checking plan check, permit and inspection information.

The City issues a Certificate of Occupancy after permitted construction is finalized, applicable life-safety requirements are satisfied and required departmental approvals are complete. A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a new commercial building is occupied or used.

The City’s instructions also identify changes in commercial occupancy or classification, ownership, tenancy and renovations as situations requiring a Certificate of Occupancy. Applications are handled at the Building & Safety public counter.

Building costs can involve more than the basic Building & Safety permit charge. Depending on the project, separate plan-review, planning, engineering, development impact, school, water, health or other charges may apply. The applicable amount should be based on the City’s current project calculation rather than an estimated flat permit price.