Administrative overview · FIPS 06045
Mendocino County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Mendocino County Planning & Building Services, Building Division
For a project in or near Mendocino County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
(707) 234-6650 (Ukiah); (707) 964-5379 (Fort Bragg); (707) 234-6669 (Code Enforcement)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Ukiah office: 860 North Bush Street, Ukiah, CA 95482; Fort Bragg office: 752 South Franklin Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Operating hours
Ukiah: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (permits cannot issue after 4:30 p.m.); Fort Bragg: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., closed noon-1:00 p.m. (permits cannot issue after 4:30 p.m.).
Review expectation
Current plan-check process is 6-8 weeks; eligible over-the-counter permits such as electrical, demolition, reroofing, residential HVAC/plumbing, like-for-like windows/siding, and minor interior remodels may be issued same day when complete.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Mendocino County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Mendocino County Planning & Building Services, Building Division is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact (707) 234-6650 (Ukiah); (707) 964-5379 (Fort Bragg); (707) 234-6669 (Code Enforcement).
How long might review take?
Current plan-check process is 6-8 weeks; eligible over-the-counter permits such as electrical, demolition, reroofing, residential HVAC/plumbing, like-for-like windows/siding, and minor interior remodels may be issued same day when complete.
How are inspections scheduled?
Use the eTRAKiT inspection tab: open Site Info to determine the inspection zone and inspection days for the location, then select Request Inspection. At least one building inspection is required for final permit status; larger projects require staged inspections and any applicable fire, environmental-health, utility, or other agency approvals. The online system is currently announced as temporarily unavailable, so call either office for current scheduling instructions.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Mendocino County adopted by reference, with local amendments, the 2025 California Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2026, including the California Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Wildland-Urban Interface, Historical Building, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards codes, plus local Title 18 amendments and applicable Class K/Title 25 requirements. The county applies CBC/CRC 105.2 and local exemptions including one-story detached accessory structures up to 120 sq ft (subject to WUI rules); fences up to 7 ft; retaining walls up to 4 ft without surcharge; grade-supported tanks up to 5,000 gallons with 2:1 height-to-width ratio; sidewalks and driveways; finish work; qualifying pools, playground equipment, awnings, and limited electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing-leak, stoppage-clearing, and ordinary repair work. Local zoning, WUI, utilities, and other code requirements may still apply.