Upland, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Upland Municipal Code § 15.04.050
- Base code
- 2022 California Administrative Code
- License required
- Valid CA Contractor's License (§ 15.04.070)
- Refund cap
- 80% if no work performed
- First infraction fine
- $130 (§ 1.22.040)
Summary
Upland adopts the California Administrative Code and requires a building permit for construction work unless it falls on the city's specific exemption list in § 15.04.050, covering only small accessory items like short sheds, low fences, and finish work. Contractors need a valid California license to pull the permit.
105.2 Building Permits. A permit shall not be required for the types of work in each of the separate classes of permit as listed below. Exemptions from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of the technical codes or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction: 1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
2 to spell out exactly which work is exempt from the permit requirement. Everything not on that list needs a permit under the state-adopted base code. The exemption list is narrow: detached accessory buildings like tool sheds under 120 square feet, fences and walls below specific height thresholds, sidewalks and low decks, finish work like painting and cabinets, water tanks under 5,000 gallons, and similar minor items. 070 requires a valid California Contractor's License of the correct classification before the Building Official may issue a permit, though an owner-builder permit can be issued for a Group R, Division 3 (residential) or Group U occupancy with Building Official approval. 090 caps refunds at 80% of the permit fee when no work has been performed, with refund requests due within 180 days of payment.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit is enforced as a building-and-safety code violation under Chapter 1.22; § 1.22.040(B) sets maximum administrative fines of $130 for a first infraction, $700 for a second within 12 months, and $1,300 for each subsequent offense, and treats each day a violation persists as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What work does not need a building permit in Upland?
Can I pull my own building permit without a contractor in Upland?
Can I get a refund if I never used my Upland building permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California building safety overview
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