The Building and Safety Division provides Building Code enforcement for all construction projects located in the City of El Centro. We do this in a professional, conscientious and customer service oriented manner. We also provide courteous, professional and helpful service at the Building and Safety counter for Architects, Engineers, Developers, Contractors, property owners and the general public.   
 
COVID-19 CHANGES TO BUILDING INSPECTIONS   – For staff safety, Building Inspectors will not be completing any inspections for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.  Permittees that have projects that require that kind of inspection will be required to fill out the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Self Certification form and turn it in before requesting a final inspection.  
 
Our office is  open to the public from 8:00am to 5:00pm.   You can submit your applications and plans during those hours. 
 
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITS
 
It has been brought to our attention that there are individuals approaching citizens at their homes requesting to see their electrical meter, on behalf of the IID or the City of El Centro.  Once in the home this individual makes claims that the City of El Centro wants residents to put solar panels on their house. These individuals do not have a City of El Centro Business License, or a California State Contractor’s License.
 
Due to this fraudulent activity, all residential solar permits will need to be submitted by the Home Owner, not the contractor.   The contractor will need to be listed on the plans, and once we have confirmed that the Home Owner does want a residential solar system installed we will commence with the plan check and issuance of the solar permit.  Please feel free to contact our office at (760) 337-4508 if you have any questions.   
 
This does not mean that ALL Solar companies are fraudulent.   There are many legitimate solar contractors who do a good job.  Consider all your options.

Be Solar Smart! CSLB Warns Consumers to be Cautious of Misleading and Illegal Solar Advertisements

Current Codes:  California Building Codes
Notice to Property Owners: In order to provide property owners with more flexibility in providing shade to their homes, the City Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow roofed, open-sided patios in the front yard and side yard setback areas. A property owner may construct a patio within the side yard setback areas as long as 5-foot property line setback is maintained. A property owner may also construct a patio in the front yard setback area, as long as the patio does not extend more than 5 feet into the required front yard. The patio must be attached to the primary residence and cannot be enclosed as living space. This regulation does not apply to Carport construction.   

Applications and Forms

What is an Owner-Builder? 

Check a Contractor’s State License Here

• An owner-builder is what the term indicates: a person owns the property and acts as their own general contractor on the job, and either does the work themselves or has employees (or subcontractors) working on the project.
• The work site must be their principal place of residence that they have occupied for 12 months prior to completion of the work.
• The homeowner cannot construct and then sell more than two structures during any three-year period.

Owner-Builder Responsibilities

• When you sign a building permit application as an owner-builder, you assume full responsibility for all phases of your project and its integrity. You must pull all building permits. Your project must pass codes and building inspections.
• The owner-builder is responsible for ordering materials and making sure all suppliers are paid.
• An owner-builder also is responsible for supervising, scheduling, and paying subcontractors. If you use anyone other than a licensed subcontractor for work, you may be considered an “employer.”

Owner-Builder Risks

This section presents some additional issues that should be taken into consideration before deciding to become an owner-builder
ALERT: Be wary of “consultants” or unlicensed individuals who will try to talk you into becoming an owner-builder as a way to save money. They are usually the ones who illegally profit from this arrangement.

AB-3002 – Disability access requirements

Application for Unreasonable Hardship Exception to Disabled Access

Building and Safety Staff

Frank Soto, Chief Building Official Virgilio Anguiano, Building Inspector
Patsy Robinson, Permit Center Technician Lizzie Rodriguez, Secretarial Assistant
Anna Garcia, Code Enforcement Officer II Abeli Garrido, Clerical Assistant