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F.A.Q.
Planning and Development Frequently Asked Questions Where do I submit plans for a new building or an addition?How do I resolve a property line dispute?Where do I get a legal description?How do I complete a backcheck?Do I need a permit to replace my roof?Where do I get an electrical permit?Where would I find plans for my house?Where do I find the Plumbing Division?Where do I get a grading permit?Can I rezone my property?Can I change my address?Can I split my property?Can I start a home business?Can I operate a daycare from my residence?How tall can my fence be?Can I convert my garage into a bedroom?Do I need a permit for a banner?Do I need a permit for a sign?Do I need a permit for a shed?Where can I store my RV/trailer?Where can I obtain maps of the City?Do I need a permit to sell alcohol in the City?Can I park my car on my lawn?Does the City have design guidelines?Do I need a permit to build a patio?How do I obtain a rebuild letter (aka a burn down letter)?Do I need a permit to hold a special event in front of my store?Can I construct a mother-in-law/granny unit on my property?What's my property zoned?What are they building next door to me/down the street?Someone is working on the property next door at all hours of the night, what can I do?I received a notice in the mail, what should I do?Can I park my work truck/equipment at home?Do I need a Conditional Use Permit?What's the status of my project?Who can I call?
Where do I submit plans for a new building or an addition?  
At the Planning & Development Department public counter located on the 3rd Floor of City Hall, Room 3043, located at 2600 Fresno St.(corner of Tulare and Fresno Streets) in downtown Fresno.  Note that the public counter is open from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. 
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How do I resolve a property line dispute?  
To properly resolve a property line dispute, one should contract a land surveyor.  However, you may also review your plot plan which is available at the County Recorder’s Office or at the Planning & Development Department public counter located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043, Fresno, CA (at the intersection of Fresno and P Streets in downtown Fresno).  The public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm. 


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Where do I get a legal description?  
On your Grant Deed (available at the County Recorder's Office) or at the County Assessor's Office.
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How do I complete a backcheck?  
The Planning & Development Department, public counter located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043, Fresno, CA.  Note that the public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm.  You may also call (559) 621-8084 for assistance.  


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Do I need a permit to replace my roof?  
Yes, roofing permits are required and may be obtained by the homeowner or a licensed contractor.  The Planning & Development Department is located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043, Fresno, CA (corner of Fresno and P Streets in downtown Fresno).  Note that the public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm.  You may also call (559) 621-8084.


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Where do I get an electrical permit?  
The Planning & Development Department located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043, Fresno, CA.  Note that the public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm.  You may also call (559) 621-8084.


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Where would I find plans for my house?  
The Planning & Development Department, Public Counter, Records Division maintains records on homes constructed in the city.  For additional information you may contact (559) 621-8015 or (559) 621-8017.
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Where do I find the Plumbing Division?  
The Plumbing Division is part of the Building Department and is located at Fresno City Hall located at 2600 Fresno St., 3rd floor (south end) in downtown.  You may also call (559) 621-8084.


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Where do I get a grading permit?  
The Planning & Development Department located at 2600 Fresno St., 3rd floor (south end) in downtown.  You may also call (559) 621-8084.


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Can I rezone my property?  
All proposed zone changes must be consistent with the 2025 Fresno General Plan, the blueprint of the City that guides growth.  Zone changes vary in price from $110.00 to $10,000.00 depending on the size of the parcel and its location.  For additional information click here.
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Can I change my address?  
It is possible to change your address so long as the address falls within the range of addresses in that particular area and in sequential order.  Note that there is a $100.00 fee to change an address.  For additional information, you may contact Bonique Salinas at Bonique.Salinas@fresno.gov or Israel Trejo at Israel.Trejo@fresno.gov.  
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Can I split my property?  
Property can usually be split depending on the zone district and the existing and proposed parcel sizes.  If a parcel meets the minimum width and depth and lot size requirements of the zone district, you would need to file for either a Parcel Map or a Subdivision Map.  The price varies from $4,500 up to $15,000 depending on the location and the number of parcels.  For additional information and guidance, contact Will Tackett at Will.Tackett@fresno.gov.
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Can I start a home business?  
Home occupations are permitted in the City.  For additional information, please click here.


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Can I operate a daycare from my residence?  
Daycare is permitted as a home occupation.  If you have six or fewer children (including your own children), you do not need to obtain a special permit from the Planning Division (although you should obtain a Tax Certificate from the Finance Department), however for seven or more children you would need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit.  The application fee is $370.00.  For additional information, please call (559) 621-8277.
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How tall can my fence be?  
Fences heights vary per zone district.  For additional information click here.
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Can I convert my garage into a bedroom?  
Garage conversions are possible, subject to obtaining the necessary permits.  Note that every single family home in the City must maintain at least one covered parking space in the form of a carport or a garage.  Therefore, it is possible to convert the garage, so long as a covered parking space is maintained or constructed.  Please contact the Planning Division at (559) 621-8277 for additional information.  
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Do I need a permit for a banner?  
Yes.  Temporary banners are permitted for a fee of $35.00.  For additional information click here.
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Do I need a permit for a sign?  
Yes you need to obtain a permit for all signs, unless it is a changeable copy.  For additional information click here.
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Do I need a permit for a shed?  
You are not required to obtain a building permit for a storage shed for a single family home if the shed is A) 120 square feet or smaller B) not taller than 12 feet and, C) is set back a minimum of 5 feet from all property lines (you may not place it in the front yard).  Note that on corner lots, it must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line along the street.  For all other sheds, you are required to obtain a permit.
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Where can I store my RV/trailer?  
You may store an RV or a trailer at your home if A) it is parked on an impervious surface (i.e., concrete), B) it is located behind a five foot tall fence, and C) it is located outside of the required setback areas (20 feet for the majority of single family homes).
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Where can I obtain maps of the City?  
Please visit our map gallery by clicking here.

The City also sells large format maps (which are all viewable at the link above) for a fee.  Please contact Jon Bartel at Jon.Bartel@fresno.gov for pricing.


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Do I need a permit to sell alcohol in the City?  
Yes.  All alcohol sales require a Conditional Use Permit.  The cost to apply for a permit is $5,314.00.  For additional information, click here.
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Can I park my car on my lawn?  
No.  All vehicles must be parked on an impervious surface, such as asphalt or concrete.
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Does the City have design guidelines?  
Yes.  Please click here for additional information.
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Do I need a permit to build a patio?  
Yes.  You need to obtain a permit to construct a patio however the City has drawings that are available free of charge.  You simply need to pay for a building permit.  The cost of the permit depends on the size of the patio.  For additional information please visit the Building Division located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043 (corner of Fresno and P Streets in downtown) or call 559.621.8084.
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How do I obtain a rebuild letter (aka a burn down letter)?  
To obtain a burn down letter, please click here (refer to the Zoning Inquiry section).  Note that there is a $160.00 fee.
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Do I need a permit to hold a special event in front of my store?  
Yes a permit is required.  Special events are reviewed on a case by case basis to ensure that adequate space is maintained for emergency vehicles and handicap access, as well as parking for your business as well as neighboring businesses.  The fees for special events range from $80.00 to $840.00.  Please visit the Planning Division located at 2600 Fresno St., Room 3043, Fresno, CA for site specific information.  Note that the public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm.
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Can I construct a mother-in-law/granny unit on my property?  
Mother-in-law, granny units and second dwellings are permitted in the City.  In 2005 the City adopted new regulations that eased restrictions making it much easier to obtain permits.  Authorization depends on parcel size, setbacks from property lines, and parking.  Note that each application is reviewed on a case by case and the cost ranges from $520 to $2,700 depending on the type of application (i.e., granny unit vs. second unit) and location in the City.
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What's my property zoned?  
To find the zoning on your property click here and:

-Once here, click on the first icon Interactive Map (you may have to download a program)
-On the top heading click on "Search & Zoom" then "Location Search" then "Address"
-Type in your address
-Double click on your parcel
-on the left hand column, click on the + sign under "General Information" and your zoning will appear.


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What are they building next door to me/down the street?  
For information on building activity, please contact the Current Planning Division at 559.621.8277.
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Someone is working on the property next door at all hours of the night, what can I do?  
You may contact the Building Division at 559.621.8084.


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I received a notice in the mail, what should I do?  
Notices from the Planning Department are common given that State and local ordinances require us to notify neighbors of some activities (especially if you live near a commercial shopping center).  The majority of notices do not requrie action by the recipient (unless from the Code Enforcement Division).  However, should you have questions regarding a notice, please call 559.621.8177.
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Can I park my work truck/equipment at home?  
No.  City ordinances prohibit the parking of work equipment at homes. 
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Do I need a Conditional Use Permit?  
Conditional Use Permits (CUP), are required for certain types of uses (i.e., night clubs, alcohol sales, auto dealers).  For additional information or to find out if a CUP is required, call 559.621.8277.


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What's the status of my project?  
For a status update on plans, you may contact:

Building Division: 559.621.8084

Planning Division: 559.621.8277


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Who can I call?  
For information, you may always call:

Planning Division: 559.621.8277

Building Division: 559.621.8084

Housing Division: 559.621.8300

Code Enforcement: 559.621.8400

 


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