Town of Hillsborough

New buildings, additions/remodels, residential improvements (decks, garages, fences, gates, antennas, satellite dishes, fireplaces, pools, water heaters), major renovations, HVAC systems, plumbing systems (including drainage and landscape watering), electrical/solar systems, tree removal, and similar construction work are listed by the town as permit-required categories.

Note: - The Town has explicit exemptions in local code sections, but scope must be validated case-by-case with Building Division. - Even work often treated as exempt may still be subject to design standards, grading/development, utility, or other municipal approvals. - Call the Building Division before starting work if your scope is uncertain.

Building code

2025 California Code of Regulations (Title 24 family) requirements are enforced, with the Town’s adopted municipal code and amendments; municipal page explicitly states these now apply for 2025 code cycles.

Permit validity

The Town does not publish a single universal “permit valid for X days” rule on the permit pages; construction completion controls remain tied to completion-time limits after permit issuance under municipal code time-limit provisions (ranges by job value, with extension process).

Owner-builder

Most construction is by licensed contractor. Owner-builder permits are possible only in limited situations and are covered by separate town handout(s); only property owners (not business owners/tenants) can qualify.

Contractor requirements

Work is generally treated as requiring licensed professional contractors for most work; required trade submittals/inspections and owner-builder restrictions make permit issuance dependent on qualified professionals.

Source: Town of Hillsborough Building and Planning Department / Building Division ↗

1. 01
   Talk with the local code official (recommended before design/finalizing plans) to confirm whether a permit is required for your scope.
2. 02
   Prepare application package and include sketches/plans describing “who, what, when, where, how” and separate scopes when needed (electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades generally submitted separately).
3. 03
   Submit through eTRAKiT using online permit/applicant workflow (separate permit records may be required by trade).
4. 04
   Building official reviews plans for compliance with local requirements and code, including design review, fire review, and other agency inputs where applicable.
5. 05
   Permit is issued after review and required fees are paid.
6. 06
   Schedule job-site inspections as work proceeds; request visits with 1–2 day notice.
7. 07
   Complete inspections and final review; obtain final documentation/closure before occupancy completion.

Typical processing time: Not published as a single universal timeline for all permit types on official permit pages; applicant is advised to call Building Division for case-specific timing.

Source: Town of Hillsborough Building and Planning Department / Building Division ↗

Full payment is required before permits are issued; permit applications are subject to document imaging charges; final cost depends on valuation and plan review/inspection categories.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• eTRAKiT (online)

Scheduling deadline

Town guidance indicates inspection requests are by project coordination with required advance notice (typically 1–2 days); permit/registration and process support is available through town and eTRAKiT channels.

Inspection hours

Construction/activity timing in adjacent guidance indicates no Sunday work; general neighborhood-noise work-hour controls are Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. for construction noise complaints.

Typical sequence: Rough plan check -> required trade/system inspections -> final inspection and permit closure; final inspection is needed before project completion certificate/acceptance.