Shed permit checklist — Ontario, California
Assembled from Ontario’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Ontario requires a permit for a shed.
Ontario does not publish a shed-specific threshold on its Building Permit FAQ, so the CBC/CRC 105.2 model governs: one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. Given that Ontario has locally lowered its fence and retaining wall thresholds well below the state model, verify the shed threshold with the Building Department at 909-395-2023 rather than assuming. Planning at 909-395-2036 handles setback and sizing questions and applies regardless of building permit exemption.
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Sources
- shed — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Ontario publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Fence permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Retaining wall permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
- General building work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Ontario before you build.