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Imperial County, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Issuing authority
County Building Official
Scope
Building, plumbing, electrical work
Permit unit
One per building/structure
Unpermitted work
Classified a misdemeanor

Summary

Imperial County requires a permit from the Building Official before constructing, altering, moving or demolishing any building or structure in the unincorporated area.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Unless otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation including local government to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure or facility or to install, alter, move, repair, or replace or cause to be installed any plumbing, gas or drainage work or any fixtures or water heating equipment or electrical equipment within the unincorporated areas of the county of Imperial without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the building official. The permits described by this section are required in addition to any other permits required herein, or that may be required by any other law whether specified herein or not. A separate permit shall be obtained for the work herein described for each building or structure or facility wherein said work is to be performed. It shall also be unlawful and a misdemeanor to perform any such work in violation of the ordinance codified in this section or the technical standards of adopted Code.

Old existing building and structures without proof of permits in the assessor's construction record will be evaluated by the building official, designated inspector or a required professional by the building official, who must be assigned and paid for his services by the property owner in order to determine substantial code compliance for such buildings or structures and allow permanence of them and occupancy.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).

Full Breakdown

County code makes it unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure or facility, or to install, alter or replace plumbing, gas, drainage, or electrical work, in unincorporated Imperial County without first getting a permit from the Building Official. A separate permit is required for each building, structure or facility. Older buildings lacking permit records in the assessor's file are evaluated (at the owner's expense) by the Building Official before they can be recognized as legally occupiable.

Violations & Fines

Doing covered work without first obtaining a permit is unlawful and a misdemeanor under § 91002.06; the Building Official may cite violators under § 91003.04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of work needs a county building permit?
Erecting, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing any building, structure or facility in unincorporated Imperial County, plus related plumbing or electrical installation work.
What if a structure was built long ago without a permit?
The Building Official evaluates it against current code, at the owner's expense, before it can be recognized as a legal, occupiable structure.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

All Imperial County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California building safety overview

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