Garden Grove, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Codes adopted
- 2025 CBC & CRC, per Ord. 2971
- Fence exemption
- Masonry ≤3 ft, other fences ≤7 ft
- Appeals body
- Administrative Board of Appeals, Ch. 2.54
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
- Permit issuer
- Building Services Division
Summary
Garden Grove enforces building permits through its 2025 adoption of the California Building Code and California Residential Code under §18.04.010. Almost all construction beyond narrow exemptions, like short fences under §18.10.030, needs a permit from the Building Services Division before work starts.
The City Council adopts and incorporates by reference, as though set forth in full in this section, the following construction codes subject to the modifications set forth in this Title 18: 1. The California Building Code, 2025 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, including Division II of Chapter 1, and Appendices H, I and J; 2. The California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, including Division II of Chapter 1, and Appendices H, J and V; ... B. The provisions of the codes, as amended by this Title 18, shall constitute the Building Regulations of the City of Garden Grove and shall be known as the "Garden Grove Building Code."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4903654; v10 updated 2026-05-12).
Full Breakdown
010 adopts the California Building Code and California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, "subject to the modifications set forth in this Title 18," and states that, as amended, those codes "constitute the Building Regulations of the City of Garden Grove" known as the Garden Grove Building Code. That adoption carries over the state model codes' permit-before-work requirement for virtually all construction, alteration, repair, and demolition. 2 (Work exempt from permit) so that "masonry and/or concrete fences not over three feet high and other fences not over seven feet high" do not need a building permit, while other minor-work exemptions remain governed by the unamended state code.
54. The Building Code, Residential Code, and related model codes (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy, fire, green building, and existing building codes) were all readopted together effective with Ordinance No. 2971 on November 12, 2025, replacing the prior 2022-edition set. Anyone doing construction work in the city, from a new structure to remodeling, additions, or most fence work above the exempted heights, needs a permit issued by the Building Services Division before starting work.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit is a Garden Grove Municipal Code violation. Under the citywide general penalty in §1.04.010, that's a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, though the City Attorney may instead charge it as an infraction; each day the unpermitted work or condition continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Garden Grove require a permit for a new fence?
Which construction codes does Garden Grove use to decide when a permit is needed?
Where do I appeal if the Building Official denies my permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garden Grove
California rules heatmap·Compare Garden Grove to another location·View the California building safety overview
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