Chico Building Permits Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Information comes from City of Chico Building Division pages; sources are listed at the end.

Chico takes permit applications online through its eTRAKiT portal, and the Building Division says all applications, plans and documents must be submitted digitally. If you are selling a Chico house with remodel history, knowing how the city handles permits helps you spot problems before a buyer does.

Chico building permits at a glance

How does a Chico building permit work?

The Building Division reviews applications, runs plan check, issues building and related permits, and inspects the work. You register for a free eTRAKiT account, describe the work clearly (the city gives examples for reroofs, water heaters, HVAC and solar), and pay online.

Contractors applying for the first time need a City of Chico business license and a California contractor’s license number, then call (530) 879-6700 to be set up in eTRAKiT. Construction in the public right-of-way or a public service easement needs a separate encroachment permit.

The division also enforces building, mechanical, energy, accessibility, plumbing, electrical and housing codes, so unpermitted work can lead to a code case. The city’s published schedule says financial transactions are not accepted after 4 p.m., and the permit counter can be unavailable Wednesday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m.

How permits affect selling a house in Chico

Permit issues usually surface when a buyer’s inspector or lender compares the house to the records. In California, sellers generally must disclose known problems, including work done without a permit.

On a traditional listing the usual choices are to close out the permit, apply after the fact, give a credit, or lower the price. Each adds time and cost. For an unpermitted backyard unit, see the city’s process in our Chico zoning and ADU guide.

How to sell a house in Chico with unpermitted work or open permits

1. Check the permit status. Search your address in eTRAKiT or call the Building Division at (530) 879-6700.
2. Gather what you have. Receipts, plans and inspection records help show what was done and by whom.
3. Compare your options. Finish the permit, sell with a credit, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who prices in the risk.
4. Disclose honestly. A cash offer does not change what you must disclose, but it removes repair and inspection steps.

We buy Chico houses as they are. Read how selling a house as-is in Chico works, or see our Chico cash-offer process. If the house has received a notice, read our Chico code enforcement guide.

Not sure what your permit history means for a sale? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Which Chico projects need a permit, and which do not?

The Building Division’s FAQ says permits are needed for new construction, additions, alterations, spas, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls and repairs. Separate permits cover electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC) work, re-roofs, and demolition.

Examples the city gives include room additions, covered patios, heaters and air conditioners, fireplace inserts, swimming pools, sewer replacements, water heater replacements and re-roofs. Plumbing permits do not apply to clearing clogs or fixing simple leaks.

The city lists work that does not need a permit, including painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops; wood or chain-link fences up to 7 feet; retaining walls or planter boxes up to 4 feet that support nothing else; and a single-story detached shed or playhouse that is 120 square feet or smaller, has no plumbing or electrical, and sits outside setbacks and easements.

How long do permits take and how long do they last?

Re-roofs, water heaters, window replacements and termite repair can be permitted over the counter. For most other projects the city says it can review plans within three weeks of submittal.

A permit generally expires 360 days after issuance if no inspections have been made, and a permit that expires before final inspection leaves the project in violation of city codes. Inspections require an appointment at least one working day ahead, and more in busy construction months.

What happens if work starts without a permit in Chico?

According to the city, an inspector will issue a Stop Work Order, you must apply for the permits and pay fees that can be up to triple the original amount, and covered work may have to be uncovered for inspection before the order is released.

In some cases the code may not allow what was built, and you can be required to restore the area.

Inspections are required before covering floor framing, wall framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, fire sprinklers and roof sheathing, and before pouring concrete or hooking up gas, electric, water and sewer.

Checking a contractor

The city points owners to the Contractors State License Board at 1-800-321-2752 to verify a license. If you are selling and a past contractor never finished the inspections, ask the Building Division what is still open, since an unclosed permit can linger on the record.

Chico building permits FAQ

Where do I apply for a Chico building permit?

Apply online through the city’s eTRAKiT portal after creating a free public account. Contractors setting up for the first time call (530) 879-6700.

Do I need paper plans?

No. The Building Division says it does not require paper copies of plans and asks for digital submittal.

Can I sell a Chico house with an open permit?

Yes. An open permit does not legally stop a sale, but it can slow a traditional one. A cash buyer can purchase the house with the permit still open.

How much more does it cost to get a permit after starting work in Chico?

The city says fees can be up to triple the original amount if you begin construction without the required permit.

How long does a Chico building permit last?

The city says permits generally expire 360 days after issuance if no inspections have been made.

Sources

• City of Chico: Building Division
• City of Chico: Building Permit Information

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Permit rules and hours change; confirm requirements with the City of Chico.