City Building Permits
Burlingame, CA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Burlingame, California. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Quick Start
Use eTRAKiT to review permit records, account activity, and inspection information.
Use Burlingame's eTRAKiT portal for permit applications and plan-submittal account access.
Call: 650-558-7260
Schedule inspections through eTRAKiT, or contact the Building Division by phone or email for assistance.
Projects that usually need a permit
- New construction, additions, demolitions, and structural alterations
- Interior remodels, occupancy changes, and major repairs
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas-system work
- Projects that also require planning, engineering, or utility review
Important: Burlingame routes many projects through multi-department review, so permit applicants should submit complete plans and supporting documents up front.
Permit Authority
City permits apply within Burlingame city limits; projects requiring Planning or right-of-way/utility approvals may need separate Planning/Engineering clearances.
- Department
- Building Division, City of Burlingame, Community Development Department
- Address
- 501 Primrose Road, 2nd Floor, Burlingame, CA 94010
- Phone
- 650-558-7260
Online Permit Portal
Platform: eTRAKiT • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine permit type by scope and prepare complete, signed package with brief scope and valuation.
- Submit drawings and submittal materials; plans routed to Planning/Engineering/etc. for review.
- Pay plan-check fees at submittal.
- Correct and resubmit within comments, then request final approval.
- Pay issuance fees and receive permit card/plans for the job site.
- Request inspections before work is concealed or covered.
Typical processing time: first submittal estimated 15 business days; resubmittals estimated 10 business days.
Source: Building Division, City of Burlingame, Community Development Department
General Requirements
when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy, or install/alter regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
Required Documents
- building permit application, signed complete plan set, 24x36 minimum drawing sheets (with scale requirements), structural/energy calculations if needed, deferred submittal list and specialist data for larger scopes, site and elevation details, and supporting details from City submittal guide.
- Permit validity
- applications without permit issuance after 180 days expire; permit card also has a project-specific expiration date and must be replaced before continuing work once expired.
- Building code
- California Building Codes and City ordinances; City enforces current code cycle at plan submittal time.
- Owner-builder
- City form requires signed Owner/Builder Declaration; owner-builder exceptions are limited and include restrictions on sale period and proof requirements under B&P Code 7044.
- Contractor requirements
- permits are tied to active California contractor license and active City business license where contractor work is involved.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $217.82 minimum base fee is published for work valued between $1 and $2,000.
- Plan check fee
- Basic plan-review fee is 65% of building permit fee for Building Division review.
- Reinspection fee
- reinspection billed minimum one hour; other penalties (including some permit-avoidance categories) are listed in the City fee schedule.
- Payment note
- City lists 2.7% surcharge for card/debit payments and $1.00 eCheck fee; no service fee for checks.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses that do not exceed 120 square feet
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Sidewalks, driveways, and similar flatwork not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a story below
- Painting, finish work, cabinets, countertops, and similar nonstructural finish work
- Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and certain movable fixtures or partitions
Important: this is a partial list, and any exempt work still must comply with all code provisions; structural/altering egress/support work is generally not exempt.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- eTRAKiT (online)
- 650-558-7260 (phone)
- buildinginspections@burlingame.org (email)
- Inspection hours
- working construction restricted to 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturdays; no work Sundays/holidays unless urgent and approved.
- Time windows
- The city asks applicants to request inspections before work is concealed or covered and to coordinate jobsite access through eTRAKiT, phone, or email.
Typical inspection sequence: permit issued after full fee payment, request inspection windows, inspection at stages of work, and final inspection before concealment/occupancy closure.
Additional Resources
- Building code: California Building Codes and City ordinances; City enforces current code cycle at plan submittal time.
- Verify contractor license: California CSLB License Check
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Submittal Guidelines
- Building Permit Application
- Master Fee Schedule FY 25-26
- Symbium Instant Residential Solar and ESS
- License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- California hub: California Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Division, City of Burlingame, Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Burlingame Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Burlingame, CA?
- when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy, or install/alter regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
- How much does a building permit cost in Burlingame, CA?
- The minimum permit fee is $217.82 minimum base fee is published for work valued between $1 and $2,000.. Plan check fee: Basic plan-review fee is 65% of building permit fee for Building Division review..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Burlingame, CA?
- 1. Determine permit type by scope and prepare complete, signed package with brief scope and valuation. 2. Submit drawings and submittal materials; plans routed to Planning/Engineering/etc. for review. 3. Pay plan-check fees at submittal. 4. Correct and resubmit within comments, then request final approval. 5. Pay issuance fees and receive permit card/plans for the job site. 6. Request inspections before work is concealed or covered.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Burlingame, CA?
- Typical processing time is first submittal estimated 15 business days; resubmittals estimated 10 business days..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Burlingame, CA?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses that do not exceed 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Sidewalks, driveways, and similar flatwork not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a story below; Painting, finish work, cabinets, countertops, and similar nonstructural finish work; Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and certain movable fixtures or partitions. Note: this is a partial list, and any exempt work still must comply with all code provisions; structural/altering egress/support work is generally not exempt.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Burlingame, CA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: eTRAKiT, 650-558-7260, buildinginspections@burlingame.org.
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