Building permits in Fresno, CA
Fresno (Fresno County) follows California's statewide codes, but runs its own permit intake, forms, fees, and review timelines through its building department. Here's the general picture for the trades — and where to confirm the specifics.
Fresno takes Planning & Building applications online, 24/7, through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal, and plan submittals are electronic only. In-person services at City Hall are by QLess appointment and include same-day express permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. The 2025 California Building Standards Code with Fresno amendments was adopted by Ordinance 2025-040 (effective October 31, 2025), and building fees are in the Master Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026. Single-family and duplex solar projects can get a permit in real time through SolarAPP+.
Verified local data — Fresno
Every fact below is sourced from a public City of Fresno document or portal page. Each carries the source URL and the date we last verified it. Full dataset last re-verified .
- Permit portal
- Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Planning & Building applications are submitted online, 24/7, through the ACA portal
- Submission methods
Online · In-person
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Online services through ACA are available 24/7; in-person services at City Hall are by QLess appointment and include same-day express permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. Plan submittals are accepted electronically only (BIA Bulletin 002, effective June 28, 2021 — https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BIA-Bulletin-002.pdf)
- Adopted code edition
2025 California Building Standards Code (with Fresno amendments)
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · City Council "Adoption and Amendment of the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code", final action September 25, 2025. Codified in Fresno Municipal Code Ch. 11, Art. 1 (Sec. 11-101 adopts the California Building Code, 2025 Edition) by Ordinance 2025-040, adopted September 25, 2025 and effective October 31, 2025 — https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOFR_CH11BUPERE_ART1CABUREELMEPLENCO_S11-101CABUCO
- Fee schedule
- City of Fresno Master Fee Schedule — Planning & Development fees, including Building Fees; all fees effective July 1, 2026 unless otherwise noted
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Linked as "Current Master Fee Schedule"; many fees are adjusted each July 1 based on the Consumer Price Index
Other local notes
Planning and Development: City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street, Room 3043 (3rd floor), Fresno, CA 93721; 559.621.8277. In-person appointments via QLess, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Building and Safety Services (559) 621-8084.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
On the city's Permit Signature Affidavit, applicants affirm under penalty of perjury that they are licensed under Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code (CSLB) with the license in full force and effect.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Owners of businesses operating in Fresno must also obtain a Business Tax Certificate — https://www.fresno.gov/finance/business-license-and-tax-certificate/
The city's automated voice response system, Voice Permits, is used to schedule and check the status of inspections without long hold times.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
SolarAPP+ issues solar permits for single-family and duplex projects in real time.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Official building department
City of Fresno Planning and Development Department — Building and SafetyVerified Fresno specifics are shown above. For project-specific fees, timelines, and counter staff, this department is the authority.
Permits by trade in Fresno
Electrical permits
Service panel upgrades · Rewires and circuit additions · EV charger installs →
Plumbing permits
Water heater replacement · Repipes · Sewer line repair →
HVAC permits
AC / furnace changeouts · Heat pump installs · Mini-split systems →
ADU permits
New detached ADU · Garage or accessory-structure conversion · Junior ADU (JADU) within the existing home →
Solar permits
Rooftop solar PV systems · Battery energy storage (ESS) · Solar + storage retrofits →
Roofing permits
Full roof replacement (tear-off) · Re-roof / overlay where allowed · Structural sheathing or deck repair →
Common jobs in Fresno
Each job below is combined with Fresno's verified permit data — portal, fee schedule, and adopted code edition.
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