Los Altos, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Development Services Department, Building Division

Street address

1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022

Phone

(650) 947-2752

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Los Altos.

Online portal

eTRAKiT

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Los Altos

Permits are required for construction or renovation work regulated by the adopted California building codes and City amendments.

Scope of work

Permit?

Freestanding unenclosed play structures

Exempt

Enclosed accessory structures used as playhouses, tool sheds, storage sheds, and similar uses less than 120 square feet, constructed without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical features

Exempt

Exempt Freestanding unenclosed play structures
Exempt Enclosed accessory structures used as playhouses, tool sheds, storage sheds, and similar uses less than 120 square feet, constructed without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical features

Note: Even where structures are exempt from a building permit, zoning approval is still required to confirm compliance with local zoning rules. Confirm edge cases with the Building Division before starting work.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Plan sets in PDF format
Structural calculations (separate PDF)
Title 24 energy documents (separate PDF)
Truss calculations (if applicable)
Product/spec sheets (if applicable)

Building code: 2025 California Building Codes (for submittals received after December 22, 2025)

Source: Development Services Department, Building Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Standard building plan-check submittals are submitted electronically by email to the Building Permits Division; hard-copy plan submittals are not accepted.
02

City staff confirms whether the submittal is complete; allow up to 5 business days for completeness review and processing.
03

After intake and payment of plan review fees, the project is routed to the appropriate City departments for review.
04

Resubmittals must include a response letter, revised plans, and clouded/delta-marked changes.
05

Once approved, permits, approved plans, and related documents are emailed to the responsible party and must be printed and kept on site for inspections.
06

For some simple residential permits, contractors can apply online through eTRAKiT.

Source: Development Services Department, Building Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Los Altos building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$245.73 (valuation up to $3,000)

Plan check fee

135% of the building permit fee; Title 24 energy plan check at 25%

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based building permit fees per the FY 2025-26 fee schedule

Trade permit fee

Water heater permit $153.45; EV charging station permit $306.90; single-family standalone building permit $238.36

Reinspection fee

$253.70 per reinspection request

Additional fees may apply at permit issuance including construction tax, strong motion/seismic mapping fees, general plan maintenance fee, technology surcharge fee, and applicable engineering, stormwater, sewer, or impact fees.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

eTRAKiT portal (online)

Inspection hours: Morning: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM; Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Time windows: AM window: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM; PM window: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Inspectors do not call on the inspection day to provide a narrower arrival window.

Typical sequence: All issued permits require inspections; the type and number depend on the scope of work. Before final inspection, final approvals from other applicable departments (Fire, Engineering, Planning) are required.

Source: Development Services Department, Building Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Los Altos permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Los Altos, CA? ▸

Permits are required for construction or renovation work regulated by the adopted California building codes and City amendments.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Los Altos, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Los Altos, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $245.73 (valuation up to $3,000). Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based building permit fees per the FY 2025-26 fee schedule. Plan check fee: 135% of the building permit fee; Title 24 energy plan check at 25%.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Los Altos, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Los Altos, CA, follow these steps: 1. Standard building plan-check submittals are submitted electronically by email to the Building Permits Division; hard-copy plan submittals are not accepted. 2. City staff confirms whether the submittal is complete; allow up to 5 business days for completeness review and processing. 3. After intake and payment of plan review fees, the project is routed to the appropriate City departments for review. 4. Resubmittals must include a response letter, revised plans, and clouded/delta-marked changes. 5. Once approved, permits, approved plans, and related documents are emailed to the responsible party and must be printed and kept on site for inspections. 6. For some simple residential permits, contractors can apply online through eTRAKiT.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Los Altos, CA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Los Altos, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Freestanding unenclosed play structures; Enclosed accessory structures used as playhouses, tool sheds, storage sheds, and similar uses less than 120 square feet, constructed without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical features. Note: Even where structures are exempt from a building permit, zoning approval is still required to confirm compliance with local zoning rules. Confirm edge cases with the Building Division before starting work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Los Altos, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Los Altos, CA via: eTRAKiT portal.

last verified April 2026 source Development Services Department, Building Division ↗ entry id permits/california/santa-clara/los-altos

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Development Services Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Los Altos

Other jurisdictions in Santa Clara County.