Apply for a Building Permit

Please read all the instructions below before you submit for a regular building permit application.

I.  Review Your Project

Because regulations are always changing it is critical to review current building codes and understand how they address the hazards associated with your site. See the bottom of our Building Inspections page for recent regulatory changes. Use the Web GIS with the Important GIS Layers handout to determine hazards associated with your site.

II.  Register or Login to ACA

Register - Create an Account in our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

Having Issues creating an account?

Visit our Accela Support Resources page for help with registering an account on the ACA portal.

For staff assistance you can email planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or call (707) 445-7245.

III.  Provide Project Details for a Pre-Application Record

To start the process you will need to provide basic contact information for the owner and contractor/agent (if used). Contractors may use the agent authorization form to act on the property owners behalf. To complete this step, do the following.

1. Click on the Pre-Applications tab in the green banner.
2. Agree to the terms and conditions and click "Continue Application".

3. Enter your parcel number into the parcel number box (enter 12 digits with dashes)

4. Select the search button (other information will automatically be entered).

 5. At the Permit Details step, ensure the Application Type is set to "Building Permit".

IV.  Provide Construction Documents for a Building Permit Record

Once you have provided your contact information you will be prompted to upload required documents. Once uploaded you will need to select the type of document you have uploaded from a dropdown menu. If you are unsure what documents are required for your project please visit the Construction Documents page. Note that you must provide all construction documents before we will move your project forward.  

V.  Completeness Review

Incomplete Applications: Staff will provide you a list of outstanding required items before the submittal is ready to be converted into an official building permit record. You should receive your first response within 2 to 3 business days. Communication regarding next steps with be through email.

Complete Applications: Staff will convert your submittal into an official building permit record and contact you to pay initial permit fees. Upon receipt of payment, a presite inspection may be scheduled (see Inspections) and your application will begin plan check. Your official building permit record ID will be in this format: BLD-2024-XXXXX.

VI.  Presite, Plan Check, and Referral Agencies

Presite: Preliminary site inspections are often required for new construction and additions. The purpose of this inspection is to get pictures of the site, assess site hazards, and do another completeness review. After this inspection your inspector may require additional documents to be included in your submittal. For more information about these inspections and directions on how to schedule them, see our Inspections page.

Plan Check: Once your submittal is considered complete the plan check team will review those documents for accuracy and conformance with the current California Building Codes. Plan check may require changes to these documents by emailing you a list of corrections. It is then your responsibility to upload corrected documents to your Accela building permit record.

Referral Agencies: Other agencies like Environmental Health, Public Works, PG&E, your services district, etc. may be required to sign-off on your project before it begins. Consult with these agencies directly to determine requirements.

VII.  Your Permit is Issued!

Once plan check has approved your submittal and all referral agencies have signed off, your permit will be issued! The permit technicians will compile your documents and reach out to you to get payment and deliver you your building permit.

Please note that all payments shall be made through the ACA Portal. The County does not accept payments through 3rd party applications.

When you are ready to schedule an inspection, follow the steps outlined in our Inspections page. If you have a question regarding Building Permits, please email planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or call (707) 445-7245 and ask for a permit technician.

A Fast Track Permit is limited to Licensed Contractors with an active Accela Citizen Access (ACA) account. To apply for and receive fast track permits, contractors must possess the appropriate license classification for the proposed work. Please read all the instructions below before you submit a permit application.

  I.  Check if your Project Qualifies

If a permit type is not listed below then you must apply for a regular building permit.

• A/C
• Primary Residential Electric Service up to 200 Amp
• Furnace / Heat Pump / Wood Stove
• Plumbing
• Repair / Replace Gas Line
• Re-Roof
• Siding
• Water Heaters
• Solar System (See SolarAPP+ tab)

 II.  Register or Login to ACA

Register - Create an Account in our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA).

Having Issues creating an account?

Visit our Accela Support Resources page for help with registering an account on the ACA portal.

For staff assistance you can email planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or call (707) 445-7245.

 III.  Obtain a Permit through the "Building" tab

Follow the steps below to create a Fast Track Permit.

1. Click on the Building Tab.
2. Click on the "Contractor Only Instant Permits" text in the green banner.
3. Scroll down and click the dropdown arrow next to the "Building" text.
4. Select the "Building Fast Track" bubble.
5. Click "Continue Application" and complete the application prompts, including uploading required documents (see our Construction Documents page) and paying fees.

 IV.  Your Permit is Issued

To view and download your permit card / packet.

• Open your record summary using the "View Record Details" button.
• Click on the "Record Info" dropdown at the top of the record.
• Select the "Attachments" option in the dropdown.

Please review the issued permit card / packet before completing any work to ensure accuracy or appropriate next steps.

When you are ready to schedule an inspection, follow the steps outlined in our Inspections page.

If you have a question regarding Building Permits, please email planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or call (707) 445-7245 and ask for a permit technician. 

DISCLAIMER: If you are applying to install a system in Shelter Cove, be sure to check with the Resort Improvement District (RID) to see if they will allow it. Historically they have not allowed these systems.

I.  Check if your Project Qualifies

SolarAPP+ projects are limited to licensed contractors. Applicants without a CSLB license (General B, C-10, or C46) must apply with a regular building permit.

SolarAPP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for most residential solar and storage projects that meet the following criteria.

• Single-family residential
• Roof-mounted system
• New alternative energy system (no upgrades or additions)
• PV systems 38.4 kW or less
• ESS 38.4 kW or less
• Electric service 400A or less
• Service to contain a 225A service disconnect switch
• Service to contain 225A busbars

SolarAPP+ is currently unable to accommodate projects that include.

• Standalone energy storage
• Ground mounted systems
• Building-integration
• Electrical service panel upgrades
• Non-single family residential (i.e., multi-family, commercial, community, and utility-scale projects).

If any project components exceed the above specification thresholds, the project will be designated as ineligible by the SolarAPP+ platform and it must be applied for as a regular building permit.

II.  Obtain Approved PG&E Utilities Interconnection Agreement

Receiving approval from PG&E is a crucial first step to the process of obtaining a residential SolarAPP+ permit.

To obtain a PG&E Utilities Interconnection Agreement, create a profile with PG&E and follow the steps as directed by PG&E's website and staff.

III.  Process your Project through SolarAPP+

Visit the SolarAPP+ Webpage, register for an account, and answer questions about your project. If your project is code-complaint, you will receive an approval through SolarAPP+. Download the approval documents issued through SolarAPP+ and make note of your SolarAPP+ approval ID. See SolarAPP+ Support Resources for more help.

IV.  Apply for an Instant Building Permit

Log in to our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA), and follow the steps below to create an Instant Building Permit application:

1. Click on the Building tab.
2. Click on the "Contractor Only Instant Permits" text in the green banner.
3. Scroll down and click the drop down arrow next to the "Building" text.
4. Click the "Solar Permit with SolarAPP+" permit type.
5. Click "Continue Application" and complete the application prompts, including uploading required documents and paying fees. Please have the following documents ready to upload:

• SolarAPP+ Approval Document
• SolarAPP+ ID (ensure to enter it without blank spaces after)
• SolarAPP+ Spec Sheet
• PG&E Signed & Approved Interconnection Agreement

Special Note: When prompted to enter your SolarApp+ ID number make sure you do not include any blank spaces after or before the ID. This often happens when copying and pasting and will result in an error message.

V.  Your Permit is Issued!

Please review the issued permit card / packet before completing any work to ensure accuracy or appropriate next steps.

To view and download your permit card / packet:

• Open your record summary using the "View Record Details" button.
• Click on the "Record Info" dropdown at the top of the record.
• Select the "Attachments" option in the dropdown.

When you are ready to schedule an inspection, follow the steps outlined in our Inspections page.

If you have a question regarding Building Permits, please email planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us or call (707) 445-7245 and ask for a permit technician.