On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for San Mateo
building, enlarge, alter, repair, demolish or remove structures.
one-story detached accessory buildings <=120 sq ft
rear fences <=7 ft/front fences <=3 ft
certain retaining walls <=4 ft
200 sq ft platform/decks (non-attached, certain conditions), temporary stage sets, painting/papering/finish work, etc.
- Exempt one-story detached accessory buildings <=120 sq ft
- Exempt rear fences <=7 ft/front fences <=3 ft
- Exempt certain retaining walls <=4 ft
- Exempt 200 sq ft platform/decks (non-attached, certain conditions), temporary stage sets, painting/papering/finish work, etc.
Note: Exempt categories are narrow; if any structural change, plumbing/electrical, or code-driven issues exist, permit review may still be required.
Required documents
- application form, construction drawings/plans, supplemental documents (structural, utility, code-based), and fees.
- Building code
- City uses adopted California Building Codes (Title 24 family) with local amendments; City page notes 2025 code effective Jan 1, 2026.
- Permit validity
- City code indicates permit applications expire by limitation after 180 days of filing if no permit issued; may be extended in limited circumstances.
- Owner-builder
- A separate owner-builder declaration is required for owner-builder filings; owner-builder permits are possible with legal declarations and responsibilities acknowledged.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors generally required when work is not performed solely by owner; owner can do work themselves, but owner and hired workers must comply with workers’ compensation and contractor requirements.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Up to 20 working days for plan check; city permit review may require correction/resubmission cycles.
- 01 Submit construction drawings, permit form, and required fees.
- 02 Plans reviewed by Building Plan Checker; revisions may be requested.
- 03 For over-the-counter/virtual minor-project workflow: submit requirements, get contacted within one business day for review scheduling, permit issued within one business day of fee payment.
- 04 Standard plan check pathway is described as up to 20 working days (with additional rounds as needed), then permit pickup/issuance.
Typical processing time: Up to 20 working days for plan check; city permit review may require correction/resubmission cycles.
§ 04
Fee schedule
San Mateo building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
not explicitly available in the publicly visible HTML snippets used for permit pages (fees are established by City Council resolution/Comprehensive Fee Schedule).
02
Plan check fee
part of permit fee structure; valuation-based and project-type based per adopted city fee resolution.
03
Permit fee formula
valuation-based for most building permits; additional itemized fees for specific permit classes (electrical/mechanical/plumbing/sign/life-safety).
04
Reinspection fee
city inspection page warns of reinspection fee risk if a job site is not ready and for late/near-term cancellations; exact amounts in adopted comprehensive schedule.
credit/debit cards incur processor fees; cash/check/e-check avoid those fees; one business day window for certain VOTC scheduling.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Scheduling deadline
- inspections normally during normal business hours (typically 8:00-5:00), with 2-hour windows, no same-day scheduling, and 3pm deadline for next-day schedule request; inspector may contact by 9:00 AM before inspection.
- Time windows
- inspections normally during normal business hours (typically 8:00-5:00), with 2-hour windows, no same-day scheduling, and 3pm deadline for next-day schedule request; inspector may contact by 9:00 AM before inspection.
Typical sequence: not fully enumerated in the municipal permit pages; however all required inspections are tied to permit scope and requested in CSS.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about San Mateo permits
01 Do I need a building permit in San Mateo, CA? ▸
building, enlarge, alter, repair, demolish or remove structures.
02 How much does a building permit cost in San Mateo, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in San Mateo, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is not explicitly available in the publicly visible HTML snippets used for permit pages (fees are established by City Council resolution/Comprehensive Fee Schedule).. Fees are calculated as: valuation-based for most building permits; additional itemized fees for specific permit classes (electrical/mechanical/plumbing/sign/life-safety).. Plan check fee: part of permit fee structure; valuation-based and project-type based per adopted city fee resolution..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in San Mateo, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in San Mateo, CA, follow these steps: 1. Submit construction drawings, permit form, and required fees. 2. Plans reviewed by Building Plan Checker; revisions may be requested. 3. For over-the-counter/virtual minor-project workflow: submit requirements, get contacted within one business day for review scheduling, permit issued within one business day of fee payment. 4. Standard plan check pathway is described as up to 20 working days (with additional rounds as needed), then permit pickup/issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in San Mateo, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in San Mateo, CA typically run Up to 20 working days for plan check; city permit review may require correction/resubmission cycles.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in San Mateo, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in San Mateo, CA. The following work is generally exempt: one-story detached accessory buildings <=120 sq ft; rear fences <=7 ft/front fences <=3 ft; certain retaining walls <=4 ft; 200 sq ft platform/decks (non-attached, certain conditions), temporary stage sets, painting/papering/finish work, etc.. Note: Exempt categories are narrow; if any structural change, plumbing/electrical, or code-driven issues exist, permit review may still be required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in San Mateo, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in San Mateo, CA via: Customer Self-Service (CSS) Online Permit Center. inspections normally during normal business hours (typically 8:00-5:00), with 2-hour windows, no same-day scheduling, and 3pm deadline for next-day schedule request; inspector may contact by 9:00 AM before inspection..
last verified April 2026
source City of San Mateo Building Division (Community Development/Building Department), also referenced as Building Permit and Building Inspection services. ↗
entry id permits/california/san-mateo/san-mateo-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of San Mateo Building Division (Community Development/Building Department), also referenced as Building Permit and Building Inspection services. before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.