About the San Mateo County Planning & Building Department

Helping Achieve a Better Future

Welcome to the San Mateo County Planning and Building Department website. The Planning and Building Department's mission is to plan and regulate land use and development within the unincorporated areas of the County so that diverse and livable communities can thrive. We serve the County's residents, businesses, and visitors through the preparation and administration of land use plans and regulations, and by reviewing land use proposals to ensure they are consistent with those plans and regulations.

To achieve our mission, the Department is organized into three Sections: 1) Long Range Planning, which prepares and updates land use plans and studies, ensures zoning ordinance compliance through code enforcement, develops and manages the Geographic Information System for the Department, and prepares land use planning maps; 2) Current Planning, which conducts project reviews and environmental impact analyses; and 3) Building Permits and Inspections, which protects life and property by issuing building permits and conducting inspections. These functions, taken together, protect our communities, conserve our natural resources, and enhance our quality of life.