On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Los Altos Hills
A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, and before installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
One-story detached accessory structures not over 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that project no more than 54 inches and do not require additional support
Decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not over 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that project no more than 54 inches and do not require additional support
- Exempt Decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from planning approval. Some exempt items may still require planning review. Confirm with the Building Department before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site/architectural plans
- Engineering plans (when required)
- Structural calculations
- Title 24 energy documents
- CALGreen checklist
- Soils/geotechnical materials (where applicable)
- Other agency approvals (where applicable)
- Building code
- 2022 California Building Standards Codes
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Average time from Site Development permit submittal to issuance of building permit is about 13 to 17 weeks for new residences and major additions.
- 01 Determine whether your project requires a Site Development permit or other Planning approval before submitting for a building permit.
- 02 As of July 1, 2024, all building permits must be submitted electronically through eTrakit. Create a contractor or homeowner profile before submitting.
- 03 For smaller permits (kitchen/bathroom remodels, water heaters, reroofs, solar, furnaces, HVAC, seismic retrofits), you may also submit by emailing building@losaltoshills.ca.gov with a Building Permit Application and submittal drawings.
- 04 Include all applicable documents: site/architectural plans, engineering plans, structural calculations, Title 24 energy documents, CALGreen checklist, soils/geotechnical materials, and other agency approvals.
- 05 City staff reviews the submittal for code compliance and completeness.
- 06 Respond to any correction comments and resubmit revised documents.
- 07 Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
Typical processing time: Average time from Site Development permit submittal to issuance of building permit is about 13 to 17 weeks for new residences and major additions.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Los Altos Hills building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
65% of permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
Base fee $240 plus 0.9% of project valuation
03
Trade permit fee
MEP permits: base fee $180 plus 0.9% of project valuation; furnace $82; gas lines $82; water heater $82; demolition $180; reroof (<$50,000 valuation) $375; solar $450 + $15/kW above 15kW
04
Reinspection fee
$210 per reinspection
05
Penalty (no permit)
Up to 4x permit fee for work without a permit
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (650) 947-2501 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule inspections 3 to 4 days in advance; same-day inspections are not provided.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday (no building inspections on Fridays)
Typical sequence: Provide job address, permit number, type of inspection, requested date, and AM/PM preference when scheduling.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Los Altos Hills permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, and before installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Los Altos Hills, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Base fee $240 plus 0.9% of project valuation. Plan check fee: 65% of permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Los Altos Hills, CA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether your project requires a Site Development permit or other Planning approval before submitting for a building permit. 2. As of July 1, 2024, all building permits must be submitted electronically through eTrakit. Create a contractor or homeowner profile before submitting. 3. For smaller permits (kitchen/bathroom remodels, water heaters, reroofs, solar, furnaces, HVAC, seismic retrofits), you may also submit by emailing building@losaltoshills.ca.gov with a Building Permit Application and submittal drawings. 4. Include all applicable documents: site/architectural plans, engineering plans, structural calculations, Title 24 energy documents, CALGreen checklist, soils/geotechnical materials, and other agency approvals. 5. City staff reviews the submittal for code compliance and completeness. 6. Respond to any correction comments and resubmit revised documents. 7. Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Los Altos Hills, CA typically run Average time from Site Development permit submittal to issuance of building permit is about 13 to 17 weeks for new residences and major additions.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Los Altos Hills, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not over 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter/width ratio does not exceed 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that project no more than 54 inches and do not require additional support; Decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from planning approval. Some exempt items may still require planning review. Confirm with the Building Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Los Altos Hills, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Los Altos Hills, CA via: (650) 947-2501. Schedule inspections 3 to 4 days in advance; same-day inspections are not provided..
last verified April 2026
source Town of Los Altos Hills Building Department ↗
entry id permits/california/santa-clara/los-altos-hills
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Los Altos Hills Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.