On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for San Marino
San Marino's Building Division page says permits are required for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroofs, window changes, fences, pools and spas, remodels, and additions. The permit application also covers new construction, additions, remodels, tenant improvements, demolition, reroof, repair, sign, and miscellaneous work.
San Marino's reviewed city pages do not publish a standalone exempt-work list for building permits.
The city instead points applicants to the adopted California Building Standards Codes and Chapter 25 local amendments, so permit exemptions are governed by the adopted state code sections as modified locally.
- Exempt San Marino's reviewed city pages do not publish a standalone exempt-work list for building permits.
- Exempt The city instead points applicants to the adopted California Building Standards Codes and Chapter 25 local amendments, so permit exemptions are governed by the adopted state code sections as modified locally.
Note: Because I did not locate a San Marino-published exemption handout or a city-posted excerpt of the currently enforced 2025 exemption sections, applicants should confirm any claimed permit exemption directly with the Building Division before proceeding. Separate planning, tree, fire, grading, or public works approvals may still be required even where a building permit is not.
Required documents
- Permit/Plan Check Application and Declaration
- project valuation
- owner, contractor, and applicant contact information
- contractor license information or owner-builder declaration
- workers' compensation declaration
- plans and applicable calculations
- for additions, an additional site plan and floor plans for the County Assessor
- and any Design Review Committee or Planning Commission approval letter when applicable. OTC guideline calls for a completed application and 3 plan copies
- the general plan-check instructions call for 2 plan sets plus calculations.
- Building code
- San Marino's Building Division page currently posts a notice that all permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Codes. The same city page still contains older text stating construction is governed by the 2022 California Building Codes and local amendments in Chapter 25 of the San Marino City Code. As of March 21, 2026, the current city notice indicates the 2025 code cycle applies to new applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, with local amendments still sourced through Chapter 25.
- Permit validity
- San Marino provides an online permit-extension request form, but the current city pages reviewed do not publish a clear citywide building-permit expiration period. Because the site currently mixes older 2022 code references with a January 1, 2026 notice for the 2025 code cycle, applicants should confirm the currently enforced expiration and extension timeline with the Building Division before relying on older California-code default periods.
- Owner-builder
- The city's application includes an Owner-Builder Declaration requiring the applicant to state the statutory basis for exemption from contractor licensure, including either self-performing work without intent to sell or contracting exclusively with licensed contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- The application requires the contractor's California state license number and license class. The form also includes a Licensed Contractor's Declaration stating the contractor must be licensed under Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code and have a license in full force and effect.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: San Marino publishes a 24-72 hour internal processing estimate for SolarAPP+ permits after CommunityCore submission. I did not find a city-posted general turnaround for ordinary building plan check applications.
- 01 Confirm the permit path first. San Marino states permits are required for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroofs, window changes, fences, pools and spas, remodels, and additions. Roofing, electrical, and plumbing permits are the only permits the city says are authorized to be issued online; all other permits are issued in person.
- 02 Create a CommunityCore account if you will use the online workflow. The city says contractors are encouraged to start online, and CommunityCore lets applicants and owners track status, make payments, schedule inspections, and view inspection results.
- 03 Prepare the application package. The city's Permit/Plan Check Application asks for project description, valuation, owner and contractor information, trade counts, and declarations. For plan check submittals, the city says to submit the application, 2 sets of plans and any applicable calculations; for additions, submit an extra site plan and floor plans for the County Assessor; if the project already has Design Review Committee or Planning Commission approval, copy that approval letter onto the plans. The February 2026 OTC guideline says OTC sign-in requires a completed application and 3 plan copies.
- 04 Submit based on project type. For projects requiring planning review and/or plan check, San Marino says applications may be accepted online but hard-copy plans must still be submitted at the public counter before review proceeds. Standard plan check submittals may be brought Mon.-Thurs. from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. OTC plan check sign-in is Tuesday starting at 7:00 a.m., with only the first 5 applicants guaranteed to be seen.
- 05 Respond to plan review and pay fees. CommunityCore users can download corrections, make payments, and download approved plans. For SolarAPP+ permits, the city says internal processing typically takes 24-72 hours after CommunityCore submission, then an invoice is emailed and permit documents are released after issuance fees are paid.
- 06 Keep approved plans and permit records on site and request required inspections as construction progresses. The city states one or more inspections are required for all permits, and all building inspections must be completed before a certificate of occupancy inspection is scheduled.
Typical processing time: San Marino publishes a 24-72 hour internal processing estimate for SolarAPP+ permits after CommunityCore submission. I did not find a city-posted general turnaround for ordinary building plan check applications.
Source: City of San Marino Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 13, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not separately stated on the city fee schedule page reviewed for general building permits
02
Plan check fee
The same fee schedule notes Los Angeles County currently has an expedited plan check fee equal to an additional 50% of the standard plan check fee.
03
Permit fee formula
The effective July 13, 2025 city fee schedule states Building Plan Check/Inspection fees are charged at 85% of Los Angeles County Building and Grading fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Fire reinspection is $80 per re-inspection; fire flow test witness is $170 per test; special permit investigation is $240 per investigation.
The city states updated fees took effect July 13, 2025 and all credit-card transactions are subject to a 3% processing fee. CommunityCore also supports online payments for active applications, and SolarAPP+ applicants are invoiced by email before permit release.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 13, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building or solar inspection request form (online)
- CommunityCore for registered online permits (online)
- Fire inspection request form (online)
- fire@SanMarinoCA.gov (email)
- (626) 300-0700 (phone)
- (626) 300-0753 (phone)
- (626) 300-0735 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Building inspector office hours are Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Building inspections are scheduled Monday-Thursday only; there are no Friday building inspections. Inspection lists are completed at 7:30 a.m., and applicants may call after 7:30 a.m. on the inspection day to request a time window.
- Time windows
- Building inspector office hours are Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Building inspections are scheduled Monday-Thursday only; there are no Friday building inspections. Inspection lists are completed at 7:30 a.m., and applicants may call after 7:30 a.m. on the inspection day to request a time window.
Typical sequence: The city says one or more inspections are required for all permits. Its public guidance specifically references rough and final inspections, plus separate fire and solar inspection workflows where applicable. All building inspections must be completed before a certificate of occupancy inspection can be scheduled with the Fire Department.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about San Marino permits
01 Do I need a building permit in San Marino, CA? ▸
San Marino's Building Division page says permits are required for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroofs, window changes, fences, pools and spas, remodels, and additions. The permit application also covers new construction, additions, remodels, tenant improvements, demolition, reroof, repair, sign, and miscellaneous work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in San Marino, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in San Marino, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not separately stated on the city fee schedule page reviewed for general building permits. Fees are calculated as: The effective July 13, 2025 city fee schedule states Building Plan Check/Inspection fees are charged at 85% of Los Angeles County Building and Grading fees.. Plan check fee: The same fee schedule notes Los Angeles County currently has an expedited plan check fee equal to an additional 50% of the standard plan check fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in San Marino, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in San Marino, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the permit path first. San Marino states permits are required for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, reroofs, window changes, fences, pools and spas, remodels, and additions. Roofing, electrical, and plumbing permits are the only permits the city says are authorized to be issued online; all other permits are issued in person. 2. Create a CommunityCore account if you will use the online workflow. The city says contractors are encouraged to start online, and CommunityCore lets applicants and owners track status, make payments, schedule inspections, and view inspection results. 3. Prepare the application package. The city's Permit/Plan Check Application asks for project description, valuation, owner and contractor information, trade counts, and declarations. For plan check submittals, the city says to submit the application, 2 sets of plans and any applicable calculations; for additions, submit an extra site plan and floor plans for the County Assessor; if the project already has Design Review Committee or Planning Commission approval, copy that approval letter onto the plans. The February 2026 OTC guideline says OTC sign-in requires a completed application and 3 plan copies. 4. Submit based on project type. For projects requiring planning review and/or plan check, San Marino says applications may be accepted online but hard-copy plans must still be submitted at the public counter before review proceeds. Standard plan check submittals may be brought Mon.-Thurs. from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. OTC plan check sign-in is Tuesday starting at 7:00 a.m., with only the first 5 applicants guaranteed to be seen. 5. Respond to plan review and pay fees. CommunityCore users can download corrections, make payments, and download approved plans. For SolarAPP+ permits, the city says internal processing typically takes 24-72 hours after CommunityCore submission, then an invoice is emailed and permit documents are released after issuance fees are paid. 6. Keep approved plans and permit records on site and request required inspections as construction progresses. The city states one or more inspections are required for all permits, and all building inspections must be completed before a certificate of occupancy inspection is scheduled.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in San Marino, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in San Marino, CA typically run San Marino publishes a 24-72 hour internal processing estimate for SolarAPP+ permits after CommunityCore submission. I did not find a city-posted general turnaround for ordinary building plan check applications.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in San Marino, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in San Marino, CA. The following work is generally exempt: San Marino's reviewed city pages do not publish a standalone exempt-work list for building permits.; The city instead points applicants to the adopted California Building Standards Codes and Chapter 25 local amendments, so permit exemptions are governed by the adopted state code sections as modified locally.. Note: Because I did not locate a San Marino-published exemption handout or a city-posted excerpt of the currently enforced 2025 exemption sections, applicants should confirm any claimed permit exemption directly with the Building Division before proceeding. Separate planning, tree, fire, grading, or public works approvals may still be required even where a building permit is not. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in San Marino, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in San Marino, CA via: Building or solar inspection request form, CommunityCore for registered online permits, Fire inspection request form, fire@SanMarinoCA.gov, (626) 300-0700, (626) 300-0753, (626) 300-0735.
last verified April 2026
source City of San Marino Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/san-marino
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of San Marino Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.