Marin County, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers building permits in unincorporated Marin County; incorporated cities should contact their own city government. Marin County provides building permits for places in unincorporated Marin.

Department

Marin County Community Development Agency, Building and Safety Division

Address

3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 308, San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone

415-473-6550

Website

https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/cda/building-and-safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Marin using the county jurisdiction lookup if needed.
2. Decide which permit track applies. Small residential maintenance and minor-improvement jobs use the quick online process; larger projects such as new buildings, additions, remodels, conversions, ADUs/JADUs, decks, accessory structures, pools, spas, and hot tubs require plans up front.
3. Start in the county's online permit portal. For self-service permits, complete the online application; maintenance permits do not require plan submittal, and minor-improvement permits are issued online up front with plans kept available for inspectors at the job site.
4. For larger projects, submit the online application plus the required plans and supporting documents. The county's building permit submittal checklist is customized to the project, and county green-building/energy forms apply where required.
5. Wait for review and respond to corrections or agency comments if applicable. The county says larger projects that require upfront plan review typically take about 6 to 8 weeks.
6. After issuance, obtain the permit package, satisfy any listed holds, complete required inspections, and close out the permit.

Typical processing time: Self-service permits can be issued as quickly as the application is completed; larger projects requiring plan review typically take 6 to 8 weeks.

Source: Marin County Community Development Agency, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

Most construction projects in unincorporated Marin require a building permit unless they fall within the county's listed exemptions.

Required Documents

• For larger projects, expect an online application, Part A application/checklist, plans or full drawing set, and project-specific supporting documents. Depending on scope, Marin also requires green-building checklists, CALGreen documentation, Title 24 energy compliance documents, and approvals from Planning, Public Works, Environmental Health, or Fire

Permit validity

The county pages reviewed do not state a general building-permit expiration period. Marin states permits are processed under the 2022 California Building Standards Code, so standard code-based expiration rules generally apply unless the issued permit states otherwise. Planning entitlements in Marin generally vest by obtaining the required building permit and substantially completing improvements within the applicable approval period.

Building code

Marin states permit intake has been under the 2022 California Building Standards Code. Marin also enforces local Marin County Building Code and green-building requirements in Title 19.

Owner-builder

County application materials indicate a permit applicant may be the property owner, a California licensed contractor, or an authorized agent acting for the owner.

Contractor requirements

County materials contemplate use of a California licensed contractor; for certain streamlined inspection options, Marin expressly requires the applicant to be a California licensed contractor.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The lowest published base fee on the county permit-base-fee page is $86.00 for plumbing/gas-only maintenance permits

Plan check fee

Included within the county's plans-and-review permit structure for permits requiring upfront review; the county's public-facing summary emphasizes base fee plus added agency/processing charges rather than publishing a single universal plan-check percentage on the summary page reviewed

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Marin uses flat base fees for many maintenance/minor permits and flat-rate permit types, and per-square-foot base fees for area-based construction permits. Final fees add taxes, technology and other CDA fees, and other agency charges as applicable.

Payment note

The county says total cost may include state taxes, Community Development Agency fees, Building and Safety fees, Planning fees, Department of Public Works fees, Environmental Health Services fees, and Fire Department fees, depending on project scope and location

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Sheds, playhouses, and similar one-story detached accessory structures that are non-habitable, 120 square feet or less, and comply with zoning
• Large tool sheds, workshops, or horse stalls that are in rural areas on parcels of 1 acre or more, are 300 square feet or less, and comply with zoning
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached 1- and 2-family homes if 15 feet high or lower
• Small above-ground premade pools that are less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less
• Retaining walls 4 feet high or lower if they are not supporting sloped earth or heavy loads such as cars
• Water tanks of 5,000 gallons or less on level ground where the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
• Moveable cases and racks, and counters or partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches tall
• Certain window awnings on single-family dwellings and utility occupancies that project no more than 54 inches and need no additional support

Important: Zoning still applies. If a project is not on Marin's exemption list, the county says you probably do need a permit. Rural-area exceptions are limited and project-specific.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 415-473-6560 (phone)
• 877-410-7201 (text)
• online scheduling is available for permit numbers beginning with "B" (online)

Inspection hours

The automated request lines are 24-hour. Inspectors call or text between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the day of inspection and provide a 2-hour inspection window. Applicants can also call after 8:00 a.m. that morning at 415-473-6550 to get the inspection window.

Time windows

The automated request lines are 24-hour. Inspectors call or text between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the day of inspection and provide a 2-hour inspection window. Applicants can also call after 8:00 a.m. that morning at 415-473-6550 to get the inspection window.

Typical inspection sequence: Clear holds first, gather permit number/address/inspection code, request the inspection, receive the inspection date and day-of window, have permit/plans/documents ready on site, then obtain sign-off on the inspection card if approved. Common inspection categories include foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. Reinspection note: Marin notes delays and repeat visits when work is not ready, work is not to code, or a permit hold is still pending.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Marin states permit intake has been under the 2022 California Building Standards Code. Marin also enforces local Marin County Building Code and green-building requirements in Title 19.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/cda/building-and-safety/how-apply-building-permit/need-building-permit
• https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/cda/building-and-safety/schedule-inspection
• https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/cda/building-and-safety/how-apply-building-permit/about-building-permits/unincorporated-marin
• https://gis.marinpublic.com/Html5Viewer/?viewer=PropertyJurisdiction
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Marin County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

Most construction projects in unincorporated Marin require a building permit unless they fall within the county's listed exemptions.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

The minimum permit fee is The lowest published base fee on the county permit-base-fee page is $86.00 for plumbing/gas-only maintenance permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Marin uses flat base fees for many maintenance/minor permits and flat-rate permit types, and per-square-foot base fees for area-based construction permits. Final fees add taxes, technology and other CDA fees, and other agency charges as applicable.. Plan check fee: Included within the county's plans-and-review permit structure for permits requiring upfront review; the county's public-facing summary emphasizes base fee plus added agency/processing charges rather than publishing a single universal plan-check percentage on the summary page reviewed.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Marin using the county jurisdiction lookup if needed. 2. Decide which permit track applies. Small residential maintenance and minor-improvement jobs use the quick online process; larger projects such as new buildings, additions, remodels, conversions, ADUs/JADUs, decks, accessory structures, pools, spas, and hot tubs require plans up front. 3. Start in the county's online permit portal. For self-service permits, complete the online application; maintenance permits do not require plan submittal, and minor-improvement permits are issued online up front with plans kept available for inspectors at the job site. 4. For larger projects, submit the online application plus the required plans and supporting documents. The county's building permit submittal checklist is customized to the project, and county green-building/energy forms apply where required. 5. Wait for review and respond to corrections or agency comments if applicable. The county says larger projects that require upfront plan review typically take about 6 to 8 weeks. 6. After issuance, obtain the permit package, satisfy any listed holds, complete required inspections, and close out the permit.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

Typical processing time is Self-service permits can be issued as quickly as the application is completed; larger projects requiring plan review typically take 6 to 8 weeks..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

The following work is generally exempt: Sheds, playhouses, and similar one-story detached accessory structures that are non-habitable, 120 square feet or less, and comply with zoning; Large tool sheds, workshops, or horse stalls that are in rural areas on parcels of 1 acre or more, are 300 square feet or less, and comply with zoning; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached 1- and 2-family homes if 15 feet high or lower; Small above-ground premade pools that are less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons or less; Retaining walls 4 feet high or lower if they are not supporting sloped earth or heavy loads such as cars; Water tanks of 5,000 gallons or less on level ground where the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2:1; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops; Moveable cases and racks, and counters or partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches tall; Certain window awnings on single-family dwellings and utility occupancies that project no more than 54 inches and need no additional support. Note: Zoning still applies. If a project is not on Marin's exemption list, the county says you probably do need a permit. Rural-area exceptions are limited and project-specific.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marin County, CA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 415-473-6560, 877-410-7201, online scheduling is available for permit numbers beginning with "B".