County building permit guide
San Bernardino County, California building permits — complete guide (2026)
San Bernardino County uses EZ Online Permitting for county land development and building permits. Incorporated cities such as San Bernardino, Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, and Redlands operate separate permit offices.
Avg cost: $150–$900+
Processing: 3–10+ weeks
~24K permits/yr
~2.2M residents
$150–$900+Avg permit cost
3–10+ weeksProcessing time
~24,000Permits/year
ADU-friendly; city-dependentADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your San Bernardino County, California permit?
County EZOP applies to county jurisdiction. Incorporated cities maintain separate building departments.
Find and apply for county permits through EZOP ↗
San Bernardino County, California Building Department
Yes
San Bernardino County Land Use Services — Building and Safety
(909) 387-8311
Mon–Fri business hours; verify current counter hours
385 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92415
EZ Online Permitting (EZOP)
Use the county parcel/jurisdiction tools before applying. Mountain, desert, wildfire, flood, Joshua tree, septic, and county-maintained-road issues can affect residential projects.
Permit fees — San Bernardino County, California, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $500–$2,000 | 3–7 weeks | Suburban vs desert vs mountains each have different requirements |
| ADU | $200–$800 | 2–5 weeks | State law applies; mountain ADUs require snow load design |
| Roofing | $125–$400 | 1–2 weeks | Mountain: Class A + snow rated; desert: cool roof requirements |
| Room Addition | $300–$1,200 | 2–5 weeks | Mountain: snow load calc; desert: enhanced energy; suburban: standard CBC |
| Pool | $300–$900 | 2–5 weeks | Desert areas very high demand; barrier fence required |
| Solar | $100–$280 | 1–2 weeks | Excellent desert solar resource; Cajon Pass enhanced uplift calc |
| HVAC | $100–$280 | 1–2 weeks | Mountain: heating-dominant; desert: cooling-dominant; both Title 24 |
| Electrical | $100–$280 | 1–2 weeks | Panel upgrades common in older Inland Empire neighborhoods |
| Deck / Patio | $150–$500 | 2–4 weeks | Mountain decks require snow load design |
| Grading | $200–$600 | 2–5 weeks | Desert grading common; mountain grading needs geological assessment |
How to get a permit in San Bernardino County, California
1
Identify jurisdiction
Extremely large county. Mountain communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead) are unincorporated county. Ontario, Fontana, etc. are incorporated cities.
2
Understand climate zone
Spans multiple zones: suburban (Zone 10), mountains (Zone 16 — heating dominant), high desert (Zone 15). Each has different insulation and HVAC requirements.
3
Mountain community requirements
Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead need snow load structural design (70+ psf), defensible space, and CAL FIRE clearance.
4
Apply online
SB County handles applications online. Mountain communities have a separate Big Bear Lake regional office.
5
Plan review
Mountain projects may require CAL FIRE referral. Track status online.
6
Schedule inspections
Mountain inspections may have longer wait times during ski season. Schedule in advance.
Jurisdictions within San Bernardino County, California
Special zone requirements
Mountain Snow Zone (Zone 16)
Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Wrightwood
Snow load 70+ psf required for all structures. Heating-dominant energy code. CAL FIRE defensible space required.
High Desert Zone (Zone 15)
Victorville, Apple Valley, Barstow
Extreme temperature swings (-10°F to 115°F). Enhanced insulation. Mojave wind events require structural bracing.
Cajon Pass Wind Zone
I-15 corridor
One of California's windiest corridors. Enhanced wind design for solar, roofing, fencing, and all structures.
Frequently asked questions — San Bernardino County, California
Snow load requirements for Big Bear?
70+ psf ground snow load. All plans must be stamped by a licensed structural engineer. Roofs designed for snow plus structure weight.
ADU in Big Bear Lake?
Yes, state law applies. But Big Bear CSD has specific water/sewer connection rules. Snow load compliance required. Septic adequacy must be verified.
Special rules for Cajon Pass?
Extreme wind events (gusts over 100 mph). All structures need enhanced structural calculations. Fencing must be engineered for high wind.
Permits for desert landscaping?
Grading permits required for significant earthwork (over 50 cu yd). Basic drought-tolerant plantings don't require permits unless altering drainage.
Official sources: San Bernardino County EZOP; 2025 California Building Standards Code; 2025 California Energy Code; U.S. Census BPS.