Town of Portola Valley

for any erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, move, improvement, or removal of building/structure, or work on electrical/plumbing/mechanical systems.

Note: - Exempt-from-permit status does not waive zoning/design compliance (all work must still meet zoning, planning, and design requirements). - Exempt structures may still require separate plumbing/electrical/mechanical permits.

Building code

- Town has adopted 2025 editions of the California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Fire, and Existing Building Codes with local amendments.

Permit validity

Not stated clearly in the published pages (Town generally states permits tied to reviewed applications and process milestones; verify specific permit status/date directly with the Department).

Owner-builder

- Owner-builder declaration required where claimed (no sale intent, owner is applicant, and owner-builder criteria are met). - Town requires either contractor license or owner-builder declaration per California Business and Professions Code provisions.

Contractor requirements

- All contractors listed in permit application must provide CSLB number/class; form requires explicit declaration of being licensed or qualifying for statutory exemption. - All general and subcontractors must have a valid Portola Valley business license. - Separate owner-builder declarations and statutory worker-compensation declarations apply.

1. 01
   Confirm whether a permit is required (work categories below).
2. 02
   Submit preliminary paperwork and required plans to planbuild@portolavalley.net or visit the Building & Planning permit counter (Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–12:00pm).
3. 03
   Town staff review for completeness and request supplemental items if needed.
4. 04
   Classify project: limited-scope work (email review on first-come-first-served basis) or larger-scope work (email + required Zoom virtual counter meeting).
5. 05
   If complete, fees/deposits are calculated and billed; project proceeds to formal review.
6. 06
   After review and permit issuance, request inspections by emailing inspections@portolavalley.net.
7. 07
   Start work only after required permit and any required pre-permit review is complete.

Source: Planning & Building Department, Town of Portola Valley ↗

- Deposits are required in many categories. - Additional staff/consultant time billed hourly where deposit accounts or non-scheduled complexity applies. - Credit card/3rd-party payment fees may apply.

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

• inspections@portolavalley.net (email)

Time windows

- Permit counter/opening hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30am–12:00pm; inspection offices are not posted with a fixed weekly schedule on public pages.

Typical sequence: - Schedule only after permit is issued/compliant with permit conditions; staff confirmation required before considering inspection confirmed. - Inspector may cancel visits for safety/review reasons.