Bolthole Index

San Bernardino County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Apple Valley, California

The Town of Apple Valley, California (San Bernardino County) requires a building permit for building a house, adding a room, or electrical and plumbing work1. The Town also adopts its own zoning inside town limits2. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside the town, so ask the Town Permit Center and San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services before you buy.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for a house, an added room, and electrical or plumbing work1
Who issues building permits
The Town's Permit Center3
Zoning
Town zoning inside town limits, with districts such as R-A24
R-A minimum dwelling size
1,200 sq. ft.5
R-A lot coverage
25 percent maximum6
Septic
Not confirmed inside town limits; ask the Town and County Environmental Health Services7
Manufactured homes
Allowed wherever a detached single-family home is allowed, on a permanent foundation8
Camping in public places
Prohibited overnight outside designated campsites9

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Apple Valley Permit Center

Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, plan review and inspections inside Apple Valley town limits

(760) 240-7000

14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, California 92307

Planning & zoning

Town of Apple Valley Planning Department

Zoning and development-code questions inside Apple Valley town limits (extension 7100)

(760) 240-7000

14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, California 92307

Septic permits

San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Land Use & Wastewater Program

County Environmental Health Services reviews septic systems and wells in unincorporated San Bernardino County and issues well permits countywide; whether it serves parcels inside Apple Valley is unconfirmed

(800) 442-2283

385 N. Arrowhead Ave, 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0160

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Apple Valley means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Apple Valley, California?

Yes. Inside Apple Valley town limits, the Town requires permits for building a house, adding a room, and electrical or plumbing work1. Plans and documents are reviewed for code compliance before work proceeds, and Apple Valley then schedules inspections of permitted work10. The Town's Permit Center says applications can be made by downloading a form or through its Online Permit Center311.

California's statewide building standards apply, and the 2025 California Building Code took effect for permit applications on 2026-01-0112. Owner-builders are exempt from contractor licensing under state law, but that exemption does not itself excuse a building permit13. Whether Apple Valley offers any additional owner-builder exemption we could not confirm; ask the Permit Center.

Who issues building permits in Apple Valley, and how do you reach them?

The Town of Apple Valley issues building permits itself, through its Permit Center at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, California 9230711. The main Town Hall number is (760) 240-700011. Applications are made by downloaded form or through the Online Permit Center3.

The Town publishes a fee schedule: the FY 2023-24 schedule lists $249.21 for a 1 to 50 square foot residential or accessory building, and residential plan review for new single-family construction is 50 percent of the residential permit fee14. Confirm current fees with the Permit Center, since the schedule we reviewed may have been updated.

San Bernardino County Building and Safety handles building permits only for unincorporated land, so it is the wrong counter for a lot inside the town15.

Does Apple Valley have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of Apple Valley adopts zoning and residential site development standards of its own inside town limits2. The residential districts listed in the Town code are R-VLD, R-A, R-LD, R-E, R-E ¾, R-EQ, R-SF, R-M, MHP, M-U and PRD4. Standards differ by district, so find your parcel's district before you plan.

In the R-A (residential agricultural) district, a detached dwelling must be at least 1,200 square feet5. R-A setbacks are 50 feet in front, 35 feet at the rear, 25 feet at the side and 45 feet on the street side, though recorded maps, the Mountain Vista neighborhood or the Ranchos Residential Overlay District can set different setbacks16. Maximum lot coverage in R-A is 25 percent6. A garage or carport entrance needs a driveway at least 20 feet wide unless there is an automatic garage-door opener or alley access17.

For zoning questions, call the Town Planning Department at (760) 240-7000, extension 710018.

How do septic permits and wells work in Apple Valley?

We could not confirm whether septic permits inside Apple Valley come from the Town, San Bernardino County or another agency; ask the Permit Center and County Environmental Health Services before relying on a septic system on a lot in town. The same goes for septic inspections and for whether a new home must connect to public sewer or water when it is available.

In unincorporated San Bernardino County, Environmental Health Services is the permitting agency for new and replacement septic systems19, and the County Land Use & Wastewater Program is at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave, 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0160, phone 800.442.22837. California requires a permit for new and replacement onsite wastewater systems statewide20.

Wells are regulated differently: San Bernardino County requires a permit to construct, destroy or rehabilitate any well in the county21. Treat a private well on an Apple Valley lot as needing a County Environmental Health Services check.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Apple Valley?

We could not confirm a rule for living in an RV or tiny home on a private lot inside Apple Valley. The one reviewed RV rule covers public places: Apple Valley prohibits camping, sleeping outdoors or in a vehicle, and overnight RV parking in a public location, except in a designated commercial or public campsite or with written permission from the Town Manager or designee9.

Manufactured homes are clearer: Apple Valley allows a manufactured home anywhere that permits a detached single-family home, provided it sits on a permanent foundation and meets the district's site and architectural standards8. Grading, sewage disposal, erosion control and encroachment permits still apply to that home8.

For RVs, tiny homes and accessory dwelling units on a specific lot, call the Planning Department at (760) 240-7000, extension 710018.

How do you build a home in Apple Valley, step by step?

  1. Confirm your parcel is inside Apple Valley town limits, not unincorporated San Bernardino County, because the offices and rules differ2.
  2. Identify the parcel's zoning district and check its dwelling size, setbacks and lot coverage with the Planning Department418.
  3. Check flood exposure: new construction and substantial improvements in flood-prone areas must meet anchoring, elevation, utility and drainage requirements22.
  4. Ask the Permit Center and County Environmental Health Services who handles septic and any well for the lot117.
  5. Apply for a building permit by form or through the Online Permit Center3.
  6. Build, and schedule inspections as work proceeds10.
  7. If the driveway meets a state highway, a Caltrans encroachment permit is required23.

What stays with San Bernardino County, and what should you check before buying in Apple Valley?

Land outside town limits follows San Bernardino County's rules instead; see the San Bernardino County page for unincorporated parcels. The County requires building permits for unincorporated land15 and, for countywide matters, requires well permits21.

Before buying inside Apple Valley, confirm the zoning district, the septic or sewer arrangement, and flood-zone status. Property taxes are set at the county level: San Bernardino County's effective property tax rate is about 0.7 percent24.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits for lots inside Apple Valley town limits; call the Town Permit Center and San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services before you close7.
  • The fee schedule we reviewed is the FY 2023-24 Municipal Fee Schedule, so current permit fees may differ; confirm with the Permit Center14.
  • Setbacks in R-A can differ in the Mountain Vista neighborhood or the Ranchos Residential Overlay District, so check your parcel's overlay16.
  • Apple Valley's published camping ban applies to public locations; we could not confirm what the Town allows for RV living on a private lot9.

Sources

  1. Permit Center (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  2. Section 9.28.040 - Site Development Standards (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  3. Permit Center (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  4. library.municode.com (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  5. Section 9.28.040 - Site Development Standards (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  6. library.municode.com (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  7. San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Land Use & Wastewater Program (ehs.sbcounty.gov)
  8. Section 9.29.060 - Manufactured Housing Standards (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 11.20.045 - Camping prohibited (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  10. Permit Center (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Apple Valley Permit Center (applevalley.org)
  12. Approved Building Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. California Business and Professions Code Section 7044 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. FY 2023-24 Municipal Fee Schedule (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building and Safety Questions – Land Use Services, quoted and re-checked
  16. library.municode.com (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  17. library.municode.com (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  18. Town of Apple Valley Planning Department (applevalley.org)
  19. San Bernardino County Local Agency Management Program, quoted and re-checked
  20. 2023 OWTS Policy (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Do I need a permit to construct or destroy a well?, quoted and re-checked
  22. Section 9.62.080 - Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction (Town of Apple Valley), quoted and re-checked
  23. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Apple Valley

Town of Apple Valley’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building a house, adding a room, and electrical or plumbing work inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • Plans and documents are reviewed for code compliance before work proceeds.
    “Permits are needed for things like building a house, adding a room, or fixing electrical and plumbing systems.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The Permit Center identifies foundation, framing, final, and reinspection requests as inspection services.
    “Inspections are scheduled to check that work is safe.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy of non-residential buildings inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • A Town business license is also required.
    • The cited form applies to non-residential buildings and does not establish a universal residential certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
    “A VALID CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND TOWN BUSINESS LICENSE IS REQUIRED BEFORE OCCUPYING ANY NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning and residential district development standards inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The cited standards apply to residential districts and work in conjunction with specific-use regulations and design standards.
    “The Site Development Standards in Table 9.28.040-A are intended to provide standards for the development and use of land within the residential districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Residential zoning districts inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The cited table lists R-VLD, R-A, R-LD, R-E, R-E ¾, R-EQ, R-SF, R-M, MHP, M-U, and PRD.
    “table 9.28.040-a site development standards standards r-vld r-a r-ld r-e r-e ¾ r-eq r-sf r-m mhp m-u prd”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Detached dwelling units in the R-A residential agricultural district inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The cited table is subject to footnotes and other applicable Development Code provisions.

    minimum dwelling unit size: >= 1200 sq. ft.

    “14. minimum dwelling unit size (sq. ft.) 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 500 to 1,100”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-A residential agricultural district lots inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The code states that recorded maps, the Mountain Vista neighborhood, or the Ranchos Residential Overlay District may establish different setbacks.
    • Side setbacks are subject to the cited solar-access and district-separation rules.

    front setback: 50 ft · rear setback: 35 ft (reduced rear setbacks may be allowed for accessory structures) · side setback: 25 ft (see solar-access and overlay provisions) · street-side setback: 45 ft

    “9. minimum rear setback (6) (18) 40 35 35 30 25 25 25 10 - 0 5 10. a. minimum side setback (ft) (7) (18) 25 25 25 20”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in the R-A residential agricultural district inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The code cross-references subsection 9.29.070.B.6 for lot-coverage provisions.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 25 percent

    “13. maximum lot coverage 25% 25% 25% 25% 30% 30% 40% 70% (14)”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping, sleeping outdoors or in a vehicle, and overnight RV parking in public locations inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • Exception for designated commercial or public campsites.
    • Written permission from the Town Manager or designee is an alternative exception.
    “No person shall camp, sleep outdoors or in a vehicle, or park a recreational vehicle overnight in a public location, other than in a designated commercial or public campsite, except by permission in writing by the Town Manager or his/her designee.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Permanent manufactured homes used as single-family dwellings outside mobile-home parks inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • All applicable construction-related permits and approvals, including grading, sewage disposal, erosion control, and encroachment permits, must be obtained.
    • The home must be installed on a permanent foundation and comply with applicable zoning-district site standards and single-family architectural standards.
    • The section contains a ten-year manufacture-date permit limitation, subject to the stated exception for homes already approved on the lot.

    manufacture-date permit limit: <= 10 years (does not apply if the manufactured home is already in place on the lot and was approved under a prior Town permit)

    “Any manufactured home installed or constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be allowed anywhere that permits the construction of detached, single-family residential structures.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    New residential subdivisions inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The code calls for transitional density buffers at the periphery of new residential subdivisions.
    • The additional lot area need not exceed 50 percent of the minimum lot area for the zoning district.

    maximum additional lot-area buffer: <= 50 percent of minimum lot area

    “the additional lot area required to create the buffer at the periphery of the new subdivision shall not be required to exceed fifty (50) percent of the minimum lot area for the zoning district in which the proposed subdivision is located.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Garage or carport driveways in residential districts inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The minimum is subject to the stated exceptions for an automatic garage-door opener or alley access.

    minimum driveway width: >= 20 ft (unless an automatic garage door opener is provided or garage access is provided from an alley)

    “a minimum driveway of twenty (20) feet is required for the entrance to a garage or carport unless an automatic garage door opener is provided or unless garage access is provided from an alley.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements on proposed building sites in flood-prone areas inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • The section imposes anchoring, flood-resistant construction, elevation, utility, drainage, and subdivision-review requirements.
    • Specific elevation requirements vary by flood zone.
    “If a proposed building site is in a flood-prone area, all new construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, shall:”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Residential and accessory-building permits inside Apple Valley town limits under the cited fee schedule.

    • The cited schedule is the FY 2023-24 Municipal Fee Schedule.
    • Residential plan review fees are separately stated as 50 percent of the residential permit fee for new single-family construction and other residential plan review.

    permit fee for 1-50 square feet, Group R and U: 249.21 USD · residential plan review fee, new single-family residence: 50 percent of residential permit fee

    “PERMIT FEES FOR GROUPS R AND U OCCUPANCIES (RESIDENTIAL AND ACCESSORY BUILDINGS) TABLE B (A) 1 to 50 sq. ft $249.21”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Town building-permit applications inside Apple Valley town limits.

    • Applications may be made by downloaded form or through the Online Permit Center.
    • Plans and documents are reviewed and inspections are scheduled.
    “Permits can be requested in two ways: by downloading a form or by using the Online Permit Center.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Apple Valley or San Bernardino County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemptions inside Apple Valley town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Apple Valley town limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Apple Valley town limits.
  • Who permits septic — Septic authority serving land inside Apple Valley town limits.
  • Septic permit — Septic permits for land inside Apple Valley town limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Apple Valley publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. San Bernardino County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of San Bernardino County: county rules, score and offices