Ridgecrest News: How to Apply for a Building Permit and Check Zoning Before Construction

Featured photo: Bowman Road by Brian Wangenheim / Unsplash. Illustrative only; not a photograph of the city permit office or a specific building site.

RIDGECREST NEWS | KERN COUNTY | OCTOBER 18, 2026. Ridgecrest residents planning a new home, remodel, addition or other building project can begin with the City of Ridgecrest Building Department. The city’s published instructions explain how to apply, what documents may be required, and how zoning review differs from a construction permit.

Step 1: Confirm that your property is inside Ridgecrest city limits

The city Building Department reviews and issues permits for work within the city. A property with a Ridgecrest mailing address may lie outside incorporated city limits, where Kern County may have jurisdiction. Confirm the parcel location and the correct permitting agency before preparing an application.

Step 2: Check zoning and land-use requirements

The city’s Planning Documents page explains that Municipal Code Chapter 106 governs zoning districts, lot sizes, density, setbacks and other standards. The Planning Applications page includes a zoning-clearance application and other forms. A proposed use may need zoning clearance or a separate planning review before construction approval. The city offers a zoning inquiry and verification request.

Step 3: Prepare the building permit application

The Building Department instructions say a property owner or appropriately licensed contractor may submit the application, as permitted by California law. Applicants can send the completed form and supporting documents to permits@ridgecrest-ca.gov. The city directs applicants to wait for payment instructions after review rather than sending payment with an initial application.

Step 4: Submit plans electronically when required

For projects requiring plan review, the city asks for complete, legible PDF plans. Multiple plan sheets generally must be consolidated into a single flattened PDF file, with a 300 MB maximum per file unless staff authorizes otherwise. The city describes an approximately two-week typical plan-review turnaround for standard projects, but says this is an estimate, not a guarantee; complicated projects and corrections can take longer.

Step 5: Ask about other agency approvals

Depending on the work, applicants may need additional reviews from Kern County Fire Department or Kern County Environmental Health Services. For driveway, grading or work in the public right-of-way, consult the city’s Engineering Division about applicable encroachment or grading requirements. A building permit does not automatically establish that a private road, septic system or water supply is acceptable.

What building codes apply?

As of the city’s published instructions reviewed for this article, Ridgecrest says it uses the 2025 California Building Standards Code, together with applicable state and city-adopted requirements. Applicants should ask staff which codes and local amendments govern the date and scope of their particular permit.

Where to contact the city

City of Ridgecrest Building Department: 100 W. California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555; 760-499-5072; permits@ridgecrest-ca.gov. For zoning and planning, the Planning Division lists 760-499-5063. Confirm office procedures and current fees directly with the city.

Checklist before you start

Confirm the jurisdiction and parcel boundaries.
Request zoning verification for the proposed use and structure.
Ask whether a site plan, engineering, fire review or environmental-health approval is needed.
Prepare a complete application and required PDF plans.
Wait for official fee and payment instructions.
Do not start work requiring a permit until authorization is issued.

For nearby unincorporated communities, see our Trona and Searles Valley land-permit guide. Also read our legal-access checklist and assessor-parcel explainer.

Primary city sources: Building Department; Planning Documents; Planning Applications; Engineering Division. This article is a public-information guide, not approval of a specific project.

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