Fontana, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 5-61 adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24 Part 2, including Chapter 1 and Appendices B, C, I and J, as the city's building code, with a copy on file in the city clerk's office. Sec. 5-11 then sets how long a building official's permit stays valid once issued: residential room additions, interior and exterior remodeling and repair, and pool or spa permits run 12 months; patio covers, balconies, decks, reroofing and fireplace permits run 6 months; grading permits run 12 months; plumbing, mechanical, electrical and solar permits not tied to another project run 6 months; demolition and plan-check permits run 6 months; and new residential or commercial/industrial construction permits run 24 months.

A permit not completed and approved within its window expires by limitation and becomes void. Owners can request one extension of up to 180 days from the building official by showing circumstances beyond their control delayed the work, that reasonable progress was made, that the property poses no health or safety hazard, and that further delay won't harm the neighborhood; no permit can be extended more than once, though large commercial or industrial projects can get a longer extension if the building official finds extenuating circumstances. Sec. 5-5 makes interfering with permit enforcement, or violating any adopted building code provision, a misdemeanor punishable under the citywide general penalty.