Chino Building Permits Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

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

Chino’s Development Services Department processes building and planning permits, and applications go through the city’s online Accela permit portal. The Building Division can be reached at 909-334-3251 or ds-building@cityofchino.org.

Chino permits at a glance

The city’s code compliance page says most construction, alteration, repair and demolition work requires a building permit unless exempt. The permitting page itself does not list fees, review timelines or office hours, so confirm those with the Building Division.

What if my Chino work was done without a permit?

Ask the Building Division what records exist for your address and what a retroactive permit would need. Unpermitted construction and garage conversions are among the issues the city’s community preservation team addresses; see our Chino code enforcement guide.

How missing permits affect a sale

Sellers generally have to disclose known unpermitted work. On a traditional sale, buyers may ask for repairs, a retroactive permit or a lower price, and lenders can be cautious about space missing from city records. A cash buyer can purchase with the work unresolved and price the risk into the offer.

How to sell a house in Chino with unpermitted work

1. Check records. Ask the Building Division what is on file.
2. Get the scope. Find out what legalizing would take.
3. Compare options. Permit it, sell with a credit, or sell as-is.
4. Disclose honestly. A cash offer does not change what you must disclose.

See selling a house as-is in Chino or our cash-offer process. Backyard unit? See the Chino zoning and ADU guide.

Questions about your house? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. No cost, no obligation.

Chino building permits FAQ

How do I apply for a building permit in Chino?

Through the city’s online permit portal. The city provides PDF how-to guides for registering an account and applying.

How do I request an inspection in Chino?

Use the city’s online Request an Inspection form.

Who do I call about a Chino building permit?

The Building Division at 909-334-3251.

Can I sell a Chino house with unpermitted work?

Yes, with disclosure. A cash buyer can purchase it as-is and price the risk into the offer.

Using the Chino permit portal and handouts

The city’s permitting page points applicants to its Accela Citizen Access portal and offers PDF how-to guides for creating an account and applying for a building permit, plus a separate SolarAPP guide for solar projects. Inspections are requested through the city’s online form rather than by walking in.

If you are looking up an older project, start by asking Development Services which permits are attached to your address, then ask whether each one reached a final inspection.

Spotting permit gaps before a buyer does

Permit questions tend to appear when a buyer’s inspector or agent compares the house to city records. Common mismatches include:

• A garage converted to living space with no permit on file
• An added room or enclosed patio that does not appear in the original plans
• A permit that was issued but never signed off
• Electrical, plumbing or water heater work done by an unlicensed contractor

The city’s code compliance page treats unpermitted construction and garage conversions as issues its community preservation team addresses, so a mismatch can also draw a complaint. Our Chino code enforcement guide explains how those cases run.

Your disclosure duties as a Chino seller

California does not let an as-is clause erase disclosure. Under Civil Code 1102.1, delivery of the transfer disclosure statement cannot be waived in an as-is sale, and your duty to disclose material facts affecting value remains.

If a disclosure reaches the buyer after an offer is signed, the buyer can cancel within three days of in-person delivery or five days of mailing. Our California as-is guide and natural hazard disclosure guide cover the rest, including the six zones sellers must check.

Sources

• City of Chino: Development Services Permitting Process
• City of Chino: Code Compliance

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm requirements with the City of Chino.