Bolthole Index

Riverside County, California

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Blythe, California

Blythe, California requires a city building permit before a house, pool, room addition, patio, block wall or similar structure is built.1 The city's Development Services Department handles building permits and planning and zoning.2 Well permits come from Riverside County Environmental Health, which requires one throughout the county.3 We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside city limits.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the City of Blythe for houses, pools, additions, patios, block walls and more1
Building code
2022 California Residential Code adopted by reference4
Zoning
City publishes zoning designations map and zoning ordinance5
Wells
Riverside County Environmental Health permit, prepared by a registered driller3
Manufactured homes
Post-July 1, 1976 HUD-labeled units on permanent foundation with a permit6
RV living
Transient RV space only in approved RV parks; street parking limited to 48 hours7
Driveway / side yard
Lots with no alley access need a 10-foot side yard for rear access8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Blythe Development Services Department (Building)

City building permits and building inspections inside Blythe

(760) 922-6130

235 North Broadway, Blythe, CA 92225

Planning & zoning

City of Blythe Planning Department (Development Services)

City planning, the General Plan, the zoning designations map and the zoning ordinance for Blythe

(760) 922-6130 ext. 1227

235 North Broadway, Blythe, CA 92225

Septic permits

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health - Land Use Program (Downtown Riverside Office)

Riverside County septic (OWTS) and water-well permits; septic authority inside the City of Blythe is not confirmed, so ask this office and the city

(951) 955-8980

4080 Lemon St, 10th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Blythe, California?

Yes. The City of Blythe requires a building permit for a house, a pool or a room addition, and also for a patio, block wall, fence, reroof, water heater, drywall, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, sign, deck or bathtub and shower work.1 The permit must be issued before the structure is erected.1

The city adopted the 2022 California Residential Code by reference, with city amendments controlling where they conflict.4 Applications need a scaled site plan showing lot dimensions and the building's location, height and area.9

We could not confirm a Blythe-specific owner-builder exemption, certificate-of-occupancy rule or fee schedule from the city's own materials, so ask Development Services.

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

The City of Blythe Development Services Department issues building permits. It is in City Hall at 235 North Broadway, phone (760) 922-6130, open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.29

Riverside County's Department of Building and Safety, based in Riverside, serves unincorporated land and is not the office for a lot inside the city.10 Mobile homes and manufactured housing on a permanent foundation also need a building permit from the city's public works director.6

Does Blythe have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, manufactured homes and driveways?

Yes. Blythe publishes a General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations Map and a Zoning Ordinance, and the Planning Department can be reached at (760) 922-6130 ext. 1227.511 Riverside County zones only unincorporated land, while incorporated cities use their own zoning, so county district rules do not apply to a Blythe lot.10

A manufactured home on a private lot must have been built after July 1, 1976, carry a HUD insignia of approval, and be installed on a permanent foundation under a building permit.6 RV space may be rented for transient occupancy only in an approved RV park or campground, permanent occupancy of RV parks is prohibited apart from one operator or employee residence, and RV parking on a public street is limited to 48 hours.7 A residential lot with no alley access must provide a side yard of at least ten feet for vehicle access to the rear yard.8

How do septic and well permits work in Blythe?

Well permits are clear. A Riverside County Environmental Health permit is required to construct, reconstruct or destroy a well anywhere in the county, and a registered well driller must prepare the application.3

Septic is less clear inside the city. Riverside County Environmental Health reviews and approves onsite wastewater systems for unincorporated land, and will not approve one where connecting to a sanitary sewer is a practical option.12 That county rule is expressly for unincorporated areas, so we could not confirm who permits septic inside Blythe city limits. Ask the Development Services Department whether city sewer serves your lot, then call Riverside County Environmental Health's Land Use Program at (951) 955-8980.13

Can you camp or live in an RV on your own lot in Blythe?

Blythe limits RV living to approved RV parks and campgrounds.7 We could not confirm a rule for living in an RV on an ordinary private lot, or any tiny-home rule, so ask the Planning Department at (760) 922-6130 ext. 1227 before placing one.11

Camping on public property is unlawful except where the city designates it, and sleeping on sidewalks, streets, alleys and rights-of-way is prohibited at any time.14

Building a home in Blythe: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Blythe city limits rather than unincorporated Riverside County.10
  2. Call the Planning Department at (760) 922-6130 ext. 1227 for the parcel's zoning designation.11
  3. Ask whether city sewer reaches the lot, then contact Riverside County Environmental Health for any septic or well question.13
  4. If you need a well, have a registered driller prepare the county application.3
  5. Submit your building permit application with a scaled site plan to Development Services.9
  6. Build to the adopted 2022 California Residential Code.4

What stays with Riverside County, and what to check before you buy in Blythe?

Well permits stay with Riverside County Environmental Health for every address in the county, city or not.3 Building and zoning rules for land outside the city come from the county instead.10

Riverside County's effective property tax rate is 0.8%.15 The county-wide share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field is 12.9%, so expect a site evaluation if septic is allowed.16 Annual precipitation across the county averages 8 inches.17

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who permits septic systems inside Blythe city limits; Riverside County's septic rule is written for unincorporated areas.12
  • Riverside County building and zoning pages describe unincorporated land only, so they do not answer questions about a lot inside Blythe.10
  • Living in an RV on a private lot inside Blythe was not confirmed; the city code addresses RV parks and public streets.7

Sources

  1. Blythe Municipal Code § 17.80.010 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Blythe Development Services Department (Building) (cityofblythe.ca.gov)
  3. Wells (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  4. Blythe Municipal Code § 15.08.010 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  5. Planning & Zoning (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  6. Blythe Municipal Code § 17.38.050 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  7. Blythe Municipal Code § 17.42.160 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  8. Blythe Municipal Code § 17.12.030 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  9. Blythe Municipal Code § 17.80.010 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  10. Ordinance No. 348.4997 — Riverside County Land Use Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Blythe Planning Department (Development Services) (cityofblythe.ca.gov)
  12. Septic Systems | Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  13. Riverside County Department of Environmental Health - Land Use Program (Downtown Riverside Office) (rivcoeh.org)
  14. Blythe Municipal Code § 12.32.030 (Blythe), quoted and re-checked
  15. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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 Blythe

Blythe’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures erected inside Blythe city limits.

    • The permit must be issued before erection.
    • The city website also identifies permits for houses, pools, additions, patios, block walls, fencing, reroofing, water heaters, drywall, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, signage, decks and bathtub/shower work.
    “Most people know that you need a building permit if you’re building a house, installing a pool, or constructing a room addition, but some may not know that a permit is also required for a patio, block wall, wrought iron fencing, reroof or roofing repairs, water heater replacement, drywall repairs, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning), electrical, plumbing, signage, decks, and/or bathtub/shower changeouts or repairs.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Blythe city limits.

    • City amendments control in the event of conflict or ambiguity.
    • The adopted code is the 2022 California Residential Code, Title 24, Part 2.5, including appendices AH, AJ and AQ.
    “Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the city council hereby adopts by reference the California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, Title 24, Part 2.5, of the California Code of Regulations, including appendices AH, AJ and AQ.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning designations inside Blythe city limits.

    • The city page links to the General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations Map and the Zoning Ordinance.
    “General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations Map”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV occupancy and RV parks/campgrounds inside Blythe city limits.

    • Transient RV space rental, leasing, or sale requires an approved RV park or campground.
    • Permanent occupancy of RV parks or campgrounds is prohibited except for one operator/employee residence.
    • Public-street parking of an RV or trailer is limited to 48 hours.

    public-street parking limit: 48 hours (More restrictive California Vehicle Code or Blythe Municipal Code provisions may also apply.)

    “No recreation vehicle space may be rented, leased or sold for transient occupancy unless such space is within a recreational vehicle park or campground approved in accordance with this chapter. There shall be no permanent occupancy of recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds except for one residence for operator/employee of the park.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping on public property inside Blythe city limits.

    • Exception for public property designated by the city for camping.
    • Sleeping on public sidewalks, streets, alleyways, medians, parkways, rights-of-way, or entrances is prohibited at any time.
    “It is unlawful for any person to camp, maintain and/or occupy camp facilities, and/or use camp paraphernalia in or upon any public property, except on any public property designated by the city for such purposes.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile homes or manufactured housing on residential private lots inside Blythe city limits.

    • The unit must have been constructed after July 1, 1976.
    • It must have a HUD insignia of approval.
    • It must not have been altered in violation of applicable codes.
    • A building permit must be obtained before installation on a permanent foundation.
    • The owner or a licensed contractor must obtain the permit from the director of public works and comply with California Health and Safety Code requirements.
    “A mobile home shall not be located on a permanent foundation on a private lot unless it: A. Was constructed after July 1, 1976 and was issued an insignia of approval by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and B. Has not been altered in violation of applicable codes.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, or destruction of wells inside Blythe city limits under Riverside County Environmental Health administration.

    • A registered well driller must prepare the application for submittal.
    • The county page states the permit requirement applies throughout Riverside County.
    “A Riverside County Environmental Health Permit for construction, reconstruction or destruction of a well is required throughout the county.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Residential lots inside Blythe city limits that do not have access to an alley.

    • A lot without alley access must provide one side yard of at least ten feet for vehicular access to the rear yard.

    side yard for vehicular access to rear yard: >= 10 ft (Applies when the lot has no access to an alley.)

    “Lot not having access to an alley shall provide one side yard of a minimum of ten feet for vehicular access to the rear yard.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit applications inside Blythe city limits.

    • The city directs applicants to Development Services at City Hall, 235 North Broadway.
    • The code requires a site plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions and the proposed building's location, height and area.
    • Additional information may be required for enforcement of Title 17.
    “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a site plan drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the location, height and area of the building to be erected and such other information as may be necessary for the enforcement of this title.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Blythe or Riverside County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for construction inside Blythe city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspection requirements for construction inside Blythe city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Blythe city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Blythe residential districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Blythe residential and agricultural or rural-residential districts.
10 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Blythe publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Riverside County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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