Building Permits

Thursday, October 7, 2020

Customer Service Alert

Our office is is currently experiencing a higher than normal volume of permit requests. Please anticipate the longer response times. Learn More »

To obtain a building permit, you must meet the requirements specific to your project by providing completed application forms, plans, and supplementary documents. Review and approval of the project by the Building Inspection Section and other agencies and departments are also required prior to the issuing of the permit. To obtain a building permit, you must meet the requirements specific to your project by providing completed application forms, plans, and supplementary documents. Review and approval of the project by the Building Inspection Section and other agencies and departments are also required prior to the issuing of the permit.

Read more about

Building Permit Requirements

Understand the requirements that must be met to obtain a Building Permit.... View moreView Building Permit Requirements

Building Permit Process

Learn the steps for obtaining a Building Permit.... View moreView Building Permit Process

Building Permit Fees

Find out what fees are associated with Building Permits.... View moreView Building Permit Fees

How to Schedule an Inspection

Learn how to book an inspection though our automated inspection scheduling system.... View moreView How to Schedule an Inspection

Building Permit Application

pdfBuilding Permit Application Form515.28 KB

pdf Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements for all Building Permits514.49 KB

pdfRequest For Address Assignment Form132.12 KB

pdfClass A or B Roofing Certification Form5.07 MB

News

Department Services Update

Our public service counter remains closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but we continue to provide services using a primarily remote workforce. Find alternatives to visiting the currently-closed service counter as well as information on permit applications, inspections, and public meetings.... View moreView Department Services Update

Requirement for Erosion Control and/or Tree Protection Pre-Site Inspection

Due to state stormwater pollution prevention requirements and recent instances of tree damage and unauthorized tree removal, we have instituted an Erosion Control and/or Tree Protection Pre-Site Inspection Requirement for construction or demolition on specific site types.... View moreView Requirement for Erosion Control and/or Tree Protection Pre-Site Inspection

Bulding Permit Types

Aboveground Fuel Storage Tanks Permit

Permits are required from the Planning and Building Division for all aboveground fuel storage tanks in unincorporated San Mateo County. If your project will be located in an area of unincorporated San Mateo County which is under the jurisdiction of another fire protection district, you should contact that district directly to determine what requirements may pertain to your project.... View moreView Aboveground Fuel Storage Tanks Permit

Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit

Permits are required to build a accessory dwelling either within or detached from your residence. To create a second dwelling unit, you will need a combination permit, which includes separate plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Also, you will need approval from your fire department, your sewer and water districts, the County Public Works, Geotechnical, possibly other County departments, and a planning approval. Depending upon your property's location, you may need additional approvals.... View moreView Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit

Commercial, Industrial, or Office Building Permit

To build or remodel a commercial, industrial, or office building, you will need a combination permit, which includes separate building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Also, you will need a planning approval, approvals from your fire department, your sewer and water districts, Public Works, Geotechnical, and possibly other County sections. Depending upon your property's location, you may need additional approvals. For example, if your building is near the coast, you may need a design review and a coastal development permit.... View moreView Commercial, Industrial, or Office Building Permit

Deck Permit

Permits are required to build a deck. To build a deck, you will need a building permit and Planning approval.... View moreView Deck Permit

Detached Accessory Building Permit

Permit requirements depend on the location and the type of building. If it is a simple detached building with no wiring or plumbing (e.g. a fabricated metal shed), you need only a building permit. If it contains either wiring or plumbing, you may need essentially all of the approvals required for a residence.... View moreView Detached Accessory Building Permit

Fire Sprinkler System Permit

Permits are required to install or repair a fire sprinkler system. To install or repair a fire sprinkler system, you will need a plumbing permit and approval from your fire department.... View moreView Fire Sprinkler System Permit

Foundation Repair Permit

Normally, you may only need a building permit and possibly approval from Geotechnical. Before drawing plans or hiring any contractor, you should also check with the County Geotechnical Department to determine if there are any known geotechnical hazards or conditions specific to your property.... View moreView Foundation Repair Permit

Furnance or Wall Heater Permit

Permits are required to install or replace a furnance or wall heater. For a new installation, you will need a combination permit, which includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits. For a replacement furnace or wall heater, you will need a mechanical permit.... View moreView Furnance or Wall Heater Permit

Hot Tub or Spa Permit

How to apply? Submit an application to Building that identifies the property, lists the name of any architect or engineer who will work on the project, and describes the proposed work in detail.... View moreView Hot Tub or Spa Permit

Kitchen or Bath Remodel Permit

Kitchen or Bath Remodel Permits are required for basic kitchen or bath remodels. A basic kitchen or bath remodel is replacement of plumbing fixtures, counter tops, tile, cabinets, electrical receptacles, switches, or light fixtures.... View moreView Kitchen or Bath Remodel Permit

Lawn Sprinklers Permit

Permits are required to Install or Repair Lawn Sprinklers. To install or repair lawn sprinklers, you will need a plumbing permit.... View moreView Lawn Sprinklers Permit

Masonry Chimney Repair Permit

Permits are required to repair any masonry chimney, whether the chimney is reinforced or un-reinforced.... View moreView Masonry Chimney Repair Permit

Outdoor Lighting Permit

A permit is required to install or repair outdoor lighting. To install or repair outdoor lighting, you will need an electrical permit.... View moreView Outdoor Lighting Permit

Pool or Spa Permit

Permits are required to build or repair a pool or spa. The permits that are needed are a combination permit, which includes separate building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits, approval from your water district, Geotechnical, and possibly other County sections, planning approval, and depending on your property's location, you may need additional approvals.... View moreView Pool or Spa Permit

Re-roof Permit

Permits are required to re-roof. To re-roof, you will need a building permit and to use fire restrictive materials that have a minimum Class B rating.... View moreView Re-roof Permit

Research of Building Inspection Records

Building inspection files are public records and information contained within the files are available to any persons requesting this information.... View moreView Research of Building Inspection Records

Retaining Wall Permit

Permits are required to build a retaining wall. To build a retaining wall, you will need a building permit and planning approval. Depending upon your property's location, you may need additional approvals.... View moreView Retaining Wall Permit

Single-Family Residence Permit

Permits are required to build a single-family residence. The permits that you will need are a combination permit, which includes separate plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Also, you will need approval from your fire department, your sewer and water districts, the County Public Works and Geotechnical sections, and possibly other county sections. Depending upon your property's location, you may need additional permits.... View moreView Single-Family Residence Permit

Skylight Permit

Permits are required to install a skylight. The permits you will need are a combination permit, which includes separate building and electrical permits, and Planning approval.... View moreView Skylight Permit

Solar Heating Permit

Permits are required to install solar heating. To install solar heating, you will need a combination permit, which includes separate building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Depending upon your property's location, you may need additional approvals.... View moreView Solar Heating Permit

Termite or Dry Rot Damage Repair Permit

A permit is required to repair termite or dry rot damage. To repair termite or dry rot damage, you will need a building permit.... View moreView Termite or Dry Rot Damage Repair Permit

Water Heater Permit

Permits are required to install or replace a water heater. To install or replace a water heater, you will need a plumbing permit. For a new installation, you may need a building or electrical permit.... View moreView Water Heater Permit

Water Tank or Propane Tank Permit

Permits are required to install a water tank or propane tank. To install a water tank or propane tank, you will need a combination permit, which includes separate building, plumbing, and electrical permits. Depending on your property's location, you may need additional approvals, such as Health or Fire Department approvals.... View moreView Water Tank or Propane Tank Permit

Windows Replacement Permit

A permit will be required if the replacement of your windows involves the removal of the existing wood or metal sashes, or if alterations are made to the existing opening.... View moreView Windows Replacement Permit

Departments

County of San Mateo

Planning and Building

Top Menu

Building Permits

Customer Service Alert

Building Permit Requirements

Building Permit Process

Building Permit Fees

How to Schedule an Inspection

Building Permit Application

News

Department Services Update

Requirement for Erosion Control and/or Tree Protection Pre-Site Inspection

Bulding Permit Types

Aboveground Fuel Storage Tanks Permit

Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit

Commercial, Industrial, or Office Building Permit

Deck Permit

Detached Accessory Building Permit

Fire Sprinkler System Permit

Foundation Repair Permit

Furnance or Wall Heater Permit

Hot Tub or Spa Permit

Kitchen or Bath Remodel Permit

Lawn Sprinklers Permit

Masonry Chimney Repair Permit

Outdoor Lighting Permit

Pool or Spa Permit

Re-roof Permit

Research of Building Inspection Records

Retaining Wall Permit

Single-Family Residence Permit

Skylight Permit

Solar Heating Permit

Termite or Dry Rot Damage Repair Permit

Water Heater Permit

Water Tank or Propane Tank Permit

Windows Replacement Permit

Departments

You are here

Building Permits

Permit Center

Surface Water Management

Building Permit Application

News

Bulding Permit Types