R105.1 Required

Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit.

To apply for a permit or submit building plans:

1) Submit in-person between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Permits can be issued to a legal property owner or to a licensed contractor. Although a contractor will often apply for the building permits, it is the property owner's sole responsibility to ensure all the necessary permits are obtained. Check the Owner-Builder Disclosure and Authorized Agent Form.

If work has been started without a building permit, please view the policy for Work done without a building permit. The policy describes how to obtain approval from the City of Tulare for work performed without the benefit of a building permit.

Building Permit Fees

Fees for most projects are based on the use, square footage, and Valuation of the proposed structure or building. For help or questions regarding a permit fee estimate please contact our Front Counter at (559) 684-4218. Please note that City Hall payment windows close at 4 p.m.; therefore, payment cannot be accepted after 4 p.m.

R105.3 Application for Permit

To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the department of building safety for that purpose. Such application shall:

1. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.
2. Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
3. Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
4. Be accompanied by construction documents and other information as required in Section R106.1.
5. State the valuation of the proposed work.
6. Be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized agent.
7. Give such other data and information as required by the building official.

105.2 Work Exempt from Permit

Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building:

1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet.  (Planning Division Zoning regulations and other Municipal Code provisions and ordinances still apply) (Also, if the detached accessory structure will include electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems, permits are required for the installation of those systems).
2. Fences not over 7 feet high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.  (Sidewalks must drain to front of property) (Driveways and drive approaches might need some coordination with the Engineering Department)
7. Patio slabs (where no patio cover is to be constructed)
8. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
10. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
11. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
12. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
13. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
14. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.
15. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.

Electrical:

1. Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
4. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
5. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
6. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
7. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
8. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas:

1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Mechanical:

1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Plumbing:

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

105.2.1 Emergency Repairs

Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

105.2.2 Public Service Agencies

A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution or metering or other related equipment that is under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right.

The purpose of this guideline is to establish the types of residential permits that may be issued over the counter. Regardless of the types of projects listed in this guideline, plans may need to be submitted for review. Several factors may influence when a plan needs to be submitted for review. Some of these factors include, but not limited to: complexity of project, quality of plan submittal, organization of plan submittal, time required for review, number of customers waiting for service, and other required disciplines needed to review the project. Projects that require design review, grading, flood plain, historic, site plan review, or non-permitted construction projects cannot be permitted over the counter.

NOTE: PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER REVIEW THAT HAVE BEEN REJECTED FOR PERMIT ISSUANCE TWICE, OR WITH 1.0 HOURS OR MORE OF DOCUMENTED PLAN REVIEW TIME, MAY REQUIRE HOURLY PLAN REVIEW FEES, OR REQUIRE PLANS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW

The following permits may be issued over the counter if the permit application and plans are complete, accurate and sufficient for approval and there are no other outstanding issues related to the project site:

Electrical

• New or replace electrical panels not exceeding 200A
• Rewire
• Addition of lights or outlets to patio/storage shed
• Minor electrical repair

Note: Projects including alteration, replacement, or installation of a 400A or greater electrical service require submittal for review.

Plumbing

• Repair/replace sewer line/water line on property
• Water heater replacement
• Water softener installation
• Gas line
• Sewer connection to City's main– Engineering

Note: Projects requiring the addition of plumbing fixtures require submittal for review.

Mechanical

• Water cooler
• Wall furnace/wall heater
• HVAC

Note: Projects requiring the installation of electric subpanels require submittal for review.

Building Permit

• Re-roof
• Minor repair permit
• Fence permits (some non-typical fences, such as masonry walls, might need plan review by our Planning and Engineering Divisions)
• Demolition Permits
• Attached Patios (to be built per our Patio Guideline Sheet)