OC Community Development FAQs
- What are permits and why do I need one?
- Who should obtain a permit?
- How long is a permit valid before it expires?
- My permit has expired, how do I renew it?
- What items should I bring with me in order to apply for a permit?
- How can I get a record of the permits for a specific property?
- What is the turnaround time for plan checks?
- I need to revise my building permit and or plans; how do I do that?
- I was given a copy of my plans and a card called a “job card” when I received my permit. What do I do with these items?
- Who is my building inspector for today and how can I talk to the inspector?
- I want to build a new house/add on to my house/add a new garage/patio structure etc. What do I need to know?
- I want to build a wall. Do I need permits?
- I want to run a business out of my home. Do I need permits and a business license?
- I received a letter from Code Enforcement. What do I do?
- Why am I being subjected to enforcement when my neighbors are doing the same thing?
- If I want to file a complaint about a neighbor’s property, can I be anonymous?
 What are permits and why do I need one?
 A permit is a document that, upon final inspection approval, will provide assurance to the property owner and occupants that construction activity has been performed safely and in accordance with State and local codes. Information found on the permit includes: the property owner’s name and address, the names and addresses of the contractor and designer, the scope of work to be performed, and a record of inspection activity from the start of construction through the approved final inspection. The permit document provides a valuable history of a building which can assist when future additions or alterations are planned. Lastly, as real estate transactions require disclosure of all improvements, the permit document will be invaluable when you sell or refinance your home.
Who should obtain a permit?
You, as the property owner, or your authorized agent may obtain permits for your property. An authorized agent is a licensed contractor or any individual who brings a notarized letter from the property owner designating them as their agent for the purpose of obtaining permits. If, however, you are contracting to have the work done it is always wise to have the contractor obtain the permits. In this way, you can be sure the contractor retains the responsibility to call for, and receive approval of all required inspections.
Please refer to the State of California Contractor’s State License Board (CSLB) web site for important contractor information.
How long is a permit valid before it expires?
Every permit shall expire if the work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of issuance or if the work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days at any time after construction progress is last documented. A permit may be extended only once prior to expiration for a period of time not to exceed 180 days. To extend the expiration date the applicant must provide a written request to the Building Official, which shows that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented the work from progressing.
My permit has expired, how do I renew it?
Per the 2007 California Building Code Vol. 1 –Appendix Sec.105.5 a permit that has expired may be extended by the Building Official for 180 days with extension fee. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
What items should I bring with me in order to apply for a permit?
This depends on the type of permit you are applying for. Click here for a
printable checklist
available for your reference.
For planning applications (use permit, variances, etc.) please click here
to view the
full requirements and samples.
If you are applying for a permit for encroachment (building or grading) on County right of way, please view the requirements at http://www.ocpermits.com/.
How can I get a record of the permits for a specific property?
We will be happy to research the permit history for a property. You may submit your request by  Email or by calling our research request line at:  (714) 834-2625
What is the turnaround time for plan checks?
The turnaround time for a first plan check is about 15 working days. The turnaround time for rechecks and revisions is about 10 working days.
I need to revise my building permit and or plans; how do I do that?
Call the Chief Building Inspector at Orange County Public Works, Orange County Planning at (714) 834-2166 to review the scope of work involved in the revision. He will then let you know what is required for the revision submittal and meet you or your agent at the Development Processing Center when you come in to apply for the revision.
I was given a copy of my plans and a card called a “job card” when I received my permit. What do I do with these items?
The plans you received have been reviewed and approved by the County of Orange. This is the set of plans your inspector will refer to when conducting inspections on your project. The inspection record is the property owner’s official record of the inspection activity that has been approved for the project. The approved plans and inspection record must be made available to the inspector every time he or she visits the project.
It is customary to post the inspection record in an accessible, plainly visible location that has been protected against damage from weather, unauthorized personnel, etc. If you are the property owner and have hired someone else to complete work, including the necessary permits, it is strongly recommended that you receive the official inspection record, not a copy, which clearly indicates approval of the final inspection before making the final payment for the project.
Who is my building inspector for today and how can I talk to the inspector?
Inspectors are available for telephone calls between 7:00 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. or you may leave a message on their voicemail.
If you cannot reach your inspector, call the Senior Building Inspector at (714) 796-0428 or the Chief Building Inspector at (714) 834-2166.
I want to build a new house/add on to my house/add a new garage/patio structure etc. What do I need to know?
You will need to know the zoning for your property and the site development standards, including setbacks. That information can be obtained in person at the Development Processing Center (DPC) during business hours (7:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.), by Email or by calling (714) 667-8888.
I want to build a wall. Do I need permits?
It depends on the height and location of your wall. There are two different sets of regulations with which your wall must comply: structural and zoning.
For structural purposes the wall should not be retaining and should not exceed six (6) feet in height. For additional information on structural requirements please see the following handout (insert link to structural wall handout).
For zoning purposes the maximum height shall be three and one-half (3½) feet within any required front setback area and six (6) feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a street, up to a maximum depth of twenty (20) feet per Zoning Code section 7-9-137.5 (b).
If you are unsure of your property’s zoning please Email the address with your request for additional information or call (714) 667-8888.
I want to run a business out of my home. Do I need permits and a business license?
Businesses are not allowed in residential zones. However, some home occupations are allowed per the Orange County Zoning Code section 7-9-146.6. Please see the following excerpt from the Orange County
Zoning Code page 219
.
Business licenses are handled through the Sheriff’s Department for unincorporated areas of the County of Orange and are regulated by individual cities if your property is located in a city. The County of Orange only requires business licenses for certain kinds of businesses.
For additional information on business licenses, please click here for the Sherriff’s Dept FAQs.
I received a letter from Code Enforcement. What do I do?
Contact the assigned code enforcement officer that is noted in the letter. They will assist you in understanding the situation and what options that you have for your property.
Why am I being subjected to enforcement when my neighbors are doing the same thing?
The Orange County Board of Supervisors directed in 2002 that code enforcement is to be response driven. We only open investigations when we receive a complaint from the public. If you are contacted about a code violation, it is response to a complaint that the County has received about your specific property.
If I want to file a complaint about a neighbor’s property, can I be anonymous?
The answer is usually yes. Our procedures strive to maintain the confidentiality of complainants. You do not have to provide your name when filing a complaint. However, for the few percent of complaints that ever evolve to a court action, all information from the case is then provided to the court.
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