Building permits in Modesto, CA
Modesto (Stanislaus 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.
Official building department
City of Modesto Community & Economic Development — Building Safety DivisionFees, exact submittal requirements, and review timelines are set by this department and vary by project. We don't publish Modesto-specific numbers we haven't verified.
Permits by trade in Modesto
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 Modesto
The general California guide for each job. Modesto-specific fees and timelines come from City of Modesto Community & Economic Development — Building Safety Division.
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