Irvine permit search

Irvine building permit fees

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How to search a permit by address in Irvine

The City of Irvine links directly to the search form from its inspection services. Use the permit number when arranging an inspection for a particular permit. For a street-name search, the form describes entering the street name between asterisks in the Street Address field. Its Map Number field also supports tract searches.

Existing permit and plan-check inquiries do not require a login to Irvine Permits. That differs from applying for a new online permit: the city now directs those applications to PermitsDIRECT!, powered by Symbium.

New online applications: PermitsDIRECT!, powered by Symbium. (Open in new window)

You do not need to logon if you are inquiring about an existing plan check or permit, simply click one of the buttons to the left and enter your information.

Source: Permits and Inspections, read 2026-10-31

Do I need a permit for a fence in Irvine?

The City of Irvine lists fences not over 7 feet high among work exempt from a building permit. Its next sentence preserves the Zoning Code height limits; the building-permit exception does not establish the fence height that zoning allows for a particular location. Ask the Development Assistance Counter about those limits before relying on the exception.

The city also says exempt work must conform to technical codes and applicable ordinances. Separate plumbing, electrical or mechanical permits can still apply unless that work is otherwise exempt.

Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above exempted items.

Source: Permits Not Required | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

Start my request for a fence in Irvine

Do I need a permit to repair or replace a roof in Irvine?

For re-roofing an existing home, the city lists a Building Permit Application Package, a residential re-roof questionnaire and an electronic signature disclosure. Use that project page to identify the application documents for a re-roof rather than treating the general finish-work exception as a roof replacement exemption.

Building Permit Application Package. Download and fill out the PDF forms to submit online. The Application Package includes: Building Permit Application Residential Re-Roof (3 Stories or Less) Questionnaire Electronic/Digital Signature Disclosure

Source: Re-Roofing an Existing Home | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

Start my request for a roof in Irvine

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Irvine?

The city process guide names both a contractor and a property owner as typical permit applicants. Bulletin 222 explains the owner-builder responsibilities for construction standards, workers compensation and permit declarations. It also treats work affecting condominium or townhome common areas separately: those permits go to a contractor rather than an owner-builder, with written permission from the common-area owner.

The distinction in Bulletin 222 is the kind of property and the work location. A condominium or townhome project that affects a common-use area is treated differently from work on a single-family home. The bulletin names shared parking, roof-mounted solar panels, skylights, patio covers, attics and underfloor areas as examples in its common-area discussion. It says single-family home permits are not subject to those special considerations. A property owner reading the general process guide should therefore also read the bulletin before deciding that the owner-builder route fits work on shared portions of a building. Its separate discussion covers declarations and responsibility for the work.

Typically, permits are pulled by a contractor or property owner. Contractors must be able to provide a copy of their City of Irvine business license, Contractors State Licensing Board Pocket Card, and Workers Compensation Certificate (or claim exempt).

Source: Permitting Process 101 | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

What work does not need a permit in Irvine?

Painting, papering and similar finish work appear in the city exemption list. A retaining wall has a different test: its height is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top, and the exception does not cover a wall supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids.

Painting, papering and similar finish work.

Source: Permits Not Required | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids.

Source: Permits Not Required | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

The exemption list keeps technical-code and ordinance requirements in place. It also retains separate trade permits unless those trades have their own exception. Read the work category and the attached conditions together before deciding whether your project fits.

How much is a permit and how long does it take in Irvine?

The city separates plan-review payment at submittal from permit payment at issuance. Its re-roof page describes a completeness review followed by notice if more information is needed. No processing-time figure is shown here because that page does not date its time statement.

Before you apply in Irvine: checklist

Submit the permit application electronically. For a re-roof, gather the city application package, residential re-roof questionnaire and signature disclosure. Keep existing-permit inquiries separate from a new application so you enter the appropriate system.

For the roof drawing, the city asks for the roof slope, rafter framing, roof support members, and the size, span and location of supporting rafters and shearwalls. It says the drawings and calculations must carry the signature of a California registered civil engineer, structural engineer or architect. It also calls for engineering calculations when the roof weight exceeds the stated threshold after existing roofing material is subtracted. These drawing requirements are separate from the application forms; gathering the forms alone does not complete the document list on the re-roof page. Read both parts of the city checklist when preparing that submission.

For water-heater or air-conditioner replacement, Bulletin 222 places those equipment projects within its discussion of residential building permits under California Building Code section 105. The bulletin also explains who may receive the permit, so review that part when choosing whether to apply as an owner-builder.

The City of Irvine has digitized the permitting process, and all permit applications must now be submitted electronically. Training videos and detailed instructions are provided to guide you through this process.

Source: Permitting Process 101 | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

Irvine permit status

The legacy Irvine Permits site remains the city route for existing permit and plan-check inquiries after the change to new online applications. Its welcome page says an inquiry does not require a login. Keep your permit or plan-check number available and use the public inquiry services for the existing record.

The legacy Irvine Permits site remains available for plan check inquiries, permit inquiries, and inspection requests — this change affects new online permit applications only.

Source: Building Permits and Inspections | City of Irvine, read 2026-10-31

How do I contact the Irvine building department?

For questions about the legacy online service, use its Contact page. The city also maintains its Building Permits and Inspections page as the starting point for department services, permit applications, records and inspections. Use the office contact route for questions tied to an existing record.

Irvine Permits office: Contact

You do not need to logon if you are inquiring about an existing plan check or permit, simply click one of the buttons to the left and enter your information.

Source: Permits and Inspections, read 2026-10-31

Sources

• Permits Not Required | City of Irvine (cityofirvine.gov), read 2026-10-31
• Permits and Inspections (permits.cityofirvine.org), read 2026-10-31
• Building Permits and Inspections | City of Irvine (cityofirvine.gov), read 2026-10-31
• Search (permits.cityofirvine.org), read 2026-10-31
• Schedule II: Building Safety Fees (cityofirvine.gov), 2026-08-15, read 2026-10-31
• Re-Roofing an Existing Home | City of Irvine (cityofirvine.gov), read 2026-10-31
• Permitting Process 101 | City of Irvine (cityofirvine.gov), read 2026-10-31
• Informational Bulletin 222: Permits and Construction for Repairs and Remodels (cityofirvine.gov), 2017-04-27, read 2026-10-31
• Fee Schedule | City of Irvine (cityofirvine.gov), read 2026-10-31