Chino Hills 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 Hills; sources are listed at the end.

Chino Hills requires a building permit to add to, alter, repair or demolish a building or structure, and also lists separate permits for solar, re-roofs, encroachment, home occupations and more. Several applications run through the city’s EnerGov self-service portal.

Chino Hills permits at a glance

The permits page does not cover review timelines or inspections, and it notes applications can change without notice, so confirm with Community Development before you apply.

What if my Chino Hills work was done without a permit?

Ask Community Development what is on file for your address. The city lists unpermitted construction among its code enforcement issues; see our Chino Hills 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 Hills with unpermitted work

1. Check records. Ask Community Development 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 Hills or our cash-offer process. Backyard unit? See the Chino Hills zoning and ADU guide.

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

Chino Hills building permits FAQ

Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Chino Hills?

The city lists a re-roof permit for replacing or repairing a roof.

Do I need a permit for solar panels?

Yes, the city lists a photovoltaic permit for roof-mounted solar panels.

Who do I ask which permit I need?

Community Development at 909-364-2740.

Can I sell a Chino Hills house with unpermitted work?

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

Which Chino Hills permit applies to your project

The city’s permits page separates permits by what you are doing. A building permit covers adding to, altering, repairing or demolishing a building or structure.

Roof-mounted solar and re-roofing each have their own permit, work in the public right-of-way such as sidewalks, curbs, gutters or streets needs an encroachment permit, and running a business from home needs a home occupation permit.

The page warns that applications can change without notice, so confirm the current form before you apply. Community Development at 909-364-2740 can point you to the right one.

Checking an older Chino Hills project

If you bought a house with a finished garage, a room addition or a remodel, check whether the permit was ever closed. Questions for Community Development:

1. What permits are on file for this address?
2. Did each one pass a final inspection?
3. Are there any open applications or expired permits?
4. What would it take to legalize work that has no permit?

The city lists unpermitted construction among its code enforcement issues, so a gap can also come to light through a complaint. See the Chino Hills code enforcement guide.

What sellers must disclose

Selling as-is does not remove 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 stays in place. If a disclosure arrives after the buyer’s offer is signed, the buyer can cancel within three days of in-person delivery or five days of mailing. Also read our natural hazard disclosure guide and the California as-is guide.

Sources

• City of Chino Hills: Permits

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