Building and Safety
Orange County CA Building and Safety helps property owners, contractors, developers, and residents complete safe construction and grading projects in the unincorporated areas of Orange County and for County-owned projects. This article explains the department’s responsibilities, permit services, plan review process, inspections, grading requirements, code information, online systems, and the steps users can take to move construction projects forward.
Building and Safety Services
Building and Safety is part of OC Development Services and is responsible for ensuring safe design and construction through the enforcement and implementation of state and local grading and building codes. The department works with the public, developers, and other County departments throughout the construction process.
The department provides support through engineering, engineering geology, inspection, technical, and administrative services. Its work helps confirm that building and grading projects meet safety standards and follow applicable regulations.
The primary services provided by Orange County Building and Safety include:
Building permit information
Grading permit information
Water quality and hydrology information
Field inspections
Enforcement of building and grading codes and regulations
These services apply primarily to private properties located within the unincorporated areas of Orange County and to County-owned properties.
Building Permit Process
A building permit provides formal permission to begin construction according to approved permit documents, including drawings, calculations, and project specifications. The permit process allows the County to review construction plans and verify that proposed work meets applicable building requirements.
Building permits are typically required for many types of construction and improvement projects, including:
New buildings
Building additions such as bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and garages
Residential improvements such as pools, spas, patios, decks, and retaining walls
Interior renovations and remodels
Electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing systems
Property owners and applicants can review Building Permit Information to understand the permit process and the types of projects that may require approval before construction begins.
The department provides over-the-counter and regular building plan check services as part of the permit process. The goal is to help applicants understand the requirements and keep projects moving through review and approval.
Plan Check Review Services
The Building and Safety plan check process reviews construction documents to determine whether proposed projects comply with County building ordinances and applicable state building regulations.
The Building Plan Check Section reviews building plans and issues building permits along with related permits, including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits.
The Grading Plan Check Section reviews grading plans, soil engineering and geology reports, and hydrology and hydraulics information for proposed grading projects in unincorporated areas of Orange County.
Applicants receive a single point of contact during the grading and building plan review phase. Questions about assigned plan review matters can be directed to the assigned Plan Checker or the Customer Service line.
For additional details about the review process, visit Building and Grading Plan Check information.
Grading Permit Requirements
A grading permit provides formal permission to perform grading work according to approved permit documents, including drawings, calculations, and specifications. Grading permits help ensure that earthwork and related improvements follow County grading requirements.
Common projects requiring grading permits include:
Mass grading projects
Rough grading projects
Precise grading projects
Mechanically Stabilized Earth and Segmental Retaining Wall construction
Slope restoration and repair projects
Site drainage modifications
The Grading Permit Information page provides details about grading permit services and the review process for eligible projects.
Construction Inspections
Inspection Services provides professional building inspections, grading inspections, subdivision inspections, and encroachment inspections for unincorporated areas of Orange County.
Building inspections are performed for construction activities connected to building permits. These inspections help verify that habitable structures are constructed according to current building codes and construction practices.
Grading, subdivision, and encroachment inspections help confirm that privately constructed public infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, and regional flood control facilities within subdivision projects, are built according to approved County plans and standards.
Inspection Service Areas
Inspection Services oversees several major areas of construction review, including:
Building inspections
Grading inspections
Subdivision inspections
Encroachment inspections
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act inspections
Stormwater-related inspections
Oil well inspections
Applicants can review Inspection Services information for procedures, inspection resources, and contact options for specific inspection types.
Codes and Regulations
Building and Safety uses adopted building, grading, zoning, and related regulations when reviewing construction projects. Applicants should review current requirements before submitting plans or beginning work.
The County of Orange adopted the 2025 California Building Code provisions and related construction codes. Building codes include requirements from several areas, including:
California Building Code
California Residential Code
California Energy Code
California Green Building Standards Code
California Historical Building Code
California Existing Building Code
Plumbing Code
Mechanical Code
Electrical Code
Fire Code
Applicants can review Codes and Regulations information for adopted standards, grading requirements, zoning information, and related documents.
Applications and Forms
OC Development Services provides application materials and forms for building, grading, and development-related activities. These documents help applicants prepare project information before submitting plans or requesting reviews.
Available materials include building permit and plan check documents, residential construction guidance, grading documents, water quality forms, owner-builder information, and project-specific checklists.
The Applications and Forms page includes documents for many common construction activities, including:
Building permit and plan check processes
Building plan check submittal checklists
Building revision plan check information
Residential construction requirements
Grading plan check documents
Drainage and water quality requirements
Solar, remodel, pool, and accessory structure materials
Reviewing the correct forms before submitting a project can help applicants provide the information needed for plan review.
Online Project Services
Applicants can use myOC eServices for online County services, including permit applications, inspection requests, maps, registrations, and other development-related requests.
The online system also provides access to online payments and certificate services. Users should make sure they select the correct service request type and provide accurate project information when submitting requests.
Customer Service Contacts
OC Development Services provides customer assistance for questions related to Building and Safety services. Applicants may contact the department for questions about plan review, permits, documents, and construction-related services.
The County Service Center location provides OC Development Services assistance, including the General Office Permit Counter and customer service support. Online service requests may also be submitted through the County’s digital service system.
Common Permit Mistakes
Construction projects can experience delays when applications do not include required information or when project documents do not match the work being proposed. Reviewing permit requirements before submitting materials can help avoid common issues.
Beginning construction before obtaining required permits
Submitting incomplete plans or missing supporting documents
Using outdated code requirements for a project submission
Failing to review grading, drainage, or hydrology requirements when applicable
Requesting inspections without confirming that the project is ready for review
Keeping permit documents, approved plans, inspection records, and project information organized can also help when future additions, alterations, property transfers, or refinancing activities require building records.
Building and Safety Office List
OC Development Services — County Service Center, 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 — (714) 667-8888
Building and Safety Customer Service — 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 — (714) 667-8888
General Building Inspection — 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 — (714) 667-8820
Grading/Subdivision/Encroachment Inspection — 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 — (714) 245-4550
Building and Safety FAQs
Do I need a permit before starting my construction project?
Many construction projects require approval before work begins. Common projects that may need a building permit include new buildings, additions, residential improvements, interior remodels, and electrical, HVAC, or plumbing system work. Applicants should review the official Building Permit Information to understand permit requirements and prepare the correct documents before submitting a project.
How are building plans reviewed before approval?
The plan check process reviews submitted documents to confirm they meet County building ordinances and applicable state regulations. The Building Plan Check Section reviews building plans and related permits, including plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. For grading projects, the review may include grading plans, soil engineering and geology reports, and hydrology and hydraulics information. Applicants receive a single point of contact during the review phase through the assigned Plan Checker.
When is a grading permit required for a property project?
A grading permit may be required for earthwork and site-related improvements that follow approved drawings, calculations, and specifications. Projects commonly requiring grading review include mass grading, rough grading, precise grading, mechanically stabilized earth or segmental retaining wall construction, slope restoration, slope repair, and site drainage modifications. More details are available through the official Grading Permit Information page.
What happens during construction inspections?
Inspections are performed for permitted construction activities to verify that buildings are completed according to current codes and construction practices. Inspection services also cover grading, subdivision, and encroachment work to confirm improvements such as roads, drainage systems, and related facilities follow approved County plans and standards. Applicants can review Inspection Services information for procedures and requirements.
Where can I find current building codes and application forms?
Project requirements can change based on adopted regulations, so applicants should review current codes before submitting plans. The County provides information about building codes, grading requirements, and related regulations through its Codes and Regulations resources. Required documents, checklists, and project-specific forms are available through the official Applications and Forms section.