Permitting
Effective July 1, 2024, the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department will reduce the in-person counter service hours. The new hours of operation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with the department walk in services closed on Fridays.
Welcome to the Online Permit Management page for Humboldt County! We're here to help guide you through the process of managing your building and planning permits. If you are ready to apply now, get started with the buttons below. Also included on this page are online resources meant to make the process as efficient as possible. For department specific information visit our Divisions page and find the department you need to contact.
Referral Agencies
Applying for a permit is not a guarantee of issuance. The referral agencies listed below have the right to deny services within their jurisdiction.
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Your Community Services District
- Tribal Territories
- Humboldt County Environmental Health
- Humboldt County Code Enforcement
- Humboldt County Public Works
How to Best Prepare for Permit Application
- Use the GIS to determine the important characteristics of your building site.
- Use the Humboldt County Code (and other related codes) to understand the regulations that might apply to your project.
- Visit the Construction Documents page to learn what documents will be required.
- Register for an Accela account and follow the instructions on this page.
Use the Humboldt Geographical Information System (GIS) as a resource to understand potential hazards (fault lines, flood zones, etc.) and protected natural resources (coastal area, wetlands, etc.) associated with your site. These characteristics will determine where and how you can develop.
Once you have a firm understanding of your parcel's characteristics and your project's scope, find associated regulations in Humboldt County Code. This online repository contains all local ordinances that govern Humboldt County. You are encouraged to continually refer to the Humboldt County Code throughout your project to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your project’s requirements. Common ordinances are shown below.
- Zoning Regulations (Coastal) | § 313
- Zoning Regulations (Inland) | § 314
- Streamside Management Area (SMA) Ordinance | § 314-61.1
- Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance | § 314.69.05
- Grading Ordinance | § 331-14
- Alternate Owner Builder Ordinance (AOB) | § 331.5
- Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance | § 335-1
- Fire Safe Regulations | § 3111
- Geologic Hazards Ordinance | § 336
Our Resource Library is a rich collection of crucial forms and informative handouts designed to simplify your project management process. It is a handy tool for making sure that your project's documentation is complete, and that complex subjects are well-understood.
Accela is our all-encompassing permit management system, designed to facilitate a smooth and efficient permitting process for all users. This platform allows you to submit applications, pay fees, schedule inspections, and monitor the progress of your permits with ease.
Creating an account with Accela empowers you with direct access to your application details, real-time status updates, and the ability to view and download relevant reports. For those interested in permit information, Accela offers the convenience of searching and viewing permit details without the need to register or log in.