Chino Hills, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 California Building Code, § 15.04.010
- Key amendment
- CBC § 105.1.3, Unpermitted Structures
- Vacant land rule
- No permit until use is entitled
- Appeal body
- Building Board of Appeals
- Preliminary review
- 30 days from Community Dev Director
- Formal appeal window
- 20 days after preliminary determination
Summary
Chino Hills enforces building permits through its 2025 California Building Code amendments at Municipal Code § 15.04.020. Owning, using, occupying, or maintaining any structure that was built, enlarged, altered, moved, or demolished without a permit is unlawful as an 'Unpermitted Structure,' and no permit can issue on vacant land until the parcel has an entitled use or a temporary or special use permit.
105.1.3 Unpermitted Structures. No person shall own, use, occupy or maintain any 'Unpermitted Structure.' For the purposes of this Code, 'Unpermitted Structure' shall be defined as any structure, or portion thereof, that was erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, connected, converted, demolished, or equipped, at any point in time, without the required permit(s) having first been obtained from the Building Official, pursuant to Section 105.1, or any unfinished work for which a permit has expired. 105.1.4 Vacant Land. No permits shall be issued on any vacant parcel or lot until such time as a principal/primary use as defined in Municipal Code Section 16.02.280 has been entitled or a temporary or special use permit is granted pursuant to the Municipal Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
020. 3, 'Unpermitted Structures': it makes it unlawful to own, use, occupy, or maintain any structure, or any portion of one, that was erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, connected, converted, demolished, or equipped without first getting the required permit from the Building Official, and the same rule reaches work performed under a permit that has since expired. 2, which covers narrow items like small sheds, low fences, and short retaining walls. 280, meaning an approved Design Review, Site Plan, or other Title 16 development permit, or has been granted a temporary or special use permit.
Appeals from a Building Official permit decision go to the Building Board of Appeals created under the amended Section 113, starting with a mandatory preliminary review by the Community Development Director, who must issue a written determination within 30 days, before a formal appeal can be filed with the City Clerk within 20 days of that determination.
Violations & Fines
Building, altering, or demolishing a structure without the required permit creates an 'Unpermitted Structure' under § 105.1.3, and owning, using, occupying, or maintaining one is itself a separate violation. Unpermitted work can also draw a stop-work order under the amended Section 115.1, and continuing work after that order is issued is punishable under § 1.36.020, up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as needing a building permit in Chino Hills?
Can I get a building permit on a vacant lot in Chino Hills?
How do I appeal a building permit decision in Chino Hills?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino Hills
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino Hills to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle building permits.