Town of San Anselmo, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated Town of San Anselmo, Marin County. Depending on scope, applicants may also need Planning, Public Works, Ross Valley Fire, floodplain, school-fee, or other related approvals.

Department

Town of San Anselmo Development Services, Building & Safety / Building Department

Address

525 San Anselmo Avenue, Second Floor, San Anselmo, CA 94960

Phone

(415) 258-4616; permit services also lists (415) 258-4646

Email

permits@sananselmo.gov

Website

https://www.townofsananselmo.org/929/Building-Safety

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm permit type and submittal requirements on the Town's permit instructions page, then prepare the required PDF package. Each application requiring plans must include the Town's Permit Submittal Checklist. Paper plans are not accepted. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1945/Permit-Submittal-Instructions and https://sanan-trk.aspgov.com/eTRAKiT/
2. Create an eTRAKiT account and submit the application online. Homeowners can create a public account; contractors can create a contractor account and must have an active Town business license. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1824/Apply-for-a-Permit
3. Upload plans and supporting documents. The Town's permit-process guide lists typical supporting items such as site/architectural/structural/MEP drawings, structural calculations and soils report when required, energy compliance documents, and project valuation. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/25292/Building-Permit-Process
4. Pay plan-check fees and respond to correction comments. Review comments are emailed to the applicant. Initial plan check fees often cover two rounds; additional rounds may trigger added fees. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/25292/Building-Permit-Process and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1294/FEES
5. After approvals, pay issuance fees and receive the permit. Processing time is stated as a few business days for some small permits, about 10 working days for a simple application, about 4-6 weeks for more complex routed projects, and about 6-8 weeks for large projects; resubmittal reviews usually take 2-3 weeks. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1803/Permit-Process and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/25292/Building-Permit-Process

Source: Town of San Anselmo Development Services, Building & Safety / Building Department

General Requirements

The Town states a building permit is required for all construction, demolition, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition, or other improvement not specifically exempted. The Town also notes many minor improvements require permits, and a Certificate of Occupancy may be required for a change in occupancy even with no construction. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1725/Do-I-Need-a-Permit and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/891/Building-Permits

Required Documents

• Common submittals include a completed permit application in eTRAKiT, Permit Submittal Checklist, project description and valuation, owner/designer/contractor information, PDF plan set, structural calculations/soils report if requested, Title 24 energy documents where applicable, and specialized forms depending on scope such as owner-builder, green building, school fee, stormwater, floodplain, photovoltaic, or water-conserving plumbing forms. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/25292/Building-Permit-Process
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/207/Forms-Applications
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1945/Permit-Submittal-Instructions

Permit validity

San Anselmo adopts the 2022 California Building and Residential Codes by reference. Under those adopted codes, permit applications are generally abandoned after 180 days if not pursued, and issued permits generally become invalid if work does not start within 180 days or is suspended/abandoned for 180 days, unless extended in writing by the building official. The Town fee schedule also lists a building permit extension fee and a reinstatement fee. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/857/Town-Ordinances ; https://library.municode.com/ca/san_anselmo/codes/code_of_ordinances ; https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf

Building code

Ordinance No. 1168 adopted the 2022 California Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Green Building Standards, Existing Building, and Referenced Standards Codes, plus the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code and 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with local amendments. Separate Town green building requirements were updated by Ordinance No. 1181, adopted September 12, 2023, with enforcement starting March 2024. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/857/Town-Ordinances and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1228/Green-Building

Owner-builder

The Town requires its Owner/Builder Declaration Form when the permit is issued in the property owner's name or an authorized agent applies on the owner's behalf. The form states the owner is responsible and liable for the construction, must disclose whether work will be self-performed or done through licensed contractors, and may need signature verification at issuance. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/28803/Owner-Builder-Form

Contractor requirements

Contractors using eTRAKiT must create their own account, have an active CSLB number for the portal, and the Apply for a Permit page states contractors must have an active Town business license. The owner-builder form also states contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded in California and to list license numbers on permits and contracts. Source URL: https://sanan-trk.aspgov.com/eTRAKiT/ ; https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1824/Apply-for-a-Permit ; https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/28803/Owner-Builder-Form

Fees

Minimum permit fee

The effective fee schedule dated September 23, 2025 uses a valuation table. For current building valuation rates, projects valued at $1-$3,999 carry a base building permit fee of $149.11. Separate trade permits not tied to other work are generally $168 minimum for plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf

Plan check fee

General building permit plan check is 65% of the permit fee; additional plan checks beyond two submittals may be charged at staff or consultant rates. Trade plan checks are also percentage-based. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1294/FEES

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are primarily valuation-based under the building valuation table, with additional percentage fees and some flat-fee permit types. The current schedule also includes energy fees, technology fee, training fee, gross receipts tax on contractor projects, seismic fee, and green building fee. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf

Trade permit fee

The effective fee schedule dated September 23, 2025 uses a valuation table. For current building valuation rates, projects valued at $1-$3,999 carry a base building permit fee of $149.11. Separate trade permits not tied to other work are generally $168 minimum for plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf

Penalty (no permit)

The permit-fees page warns repeated inspections may require additional fees. The fee schedule lists stop-work and after-the-fact penalties of up to 5 times the permit fee, with a $500 minimum, plus $190 for an extension and reinstatement at 50% of the building permit fee. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1294/FEES and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/30079/San-Anselmo-Fee-Schedule-2024pdf

Payment note

Over-the-counter permits may be paid in eTRAKiT at the end of the application; other permits must be reviewed before online payment. Checks may be mailed or dropped off, and in-person payments are accepted during counter hours. Credit card payments carry a 2.8% processing fee. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1294/FEES

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as sheds, playhouses, or similar uses when not over 120 square feet or 8 feet in height; accessory structures still count toward lot coverage/floor area, and utility connections trigger permit requirements
• Fences 7 feet or less in height
• Retaining walls under 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall when supporting only level dirt for about 4 feet behind and 4 feet in front
• Walkways or driveways under 150 square feet placed on grade
• Detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a structure, and not serving an exit door
• Painting, papering, and similar finish work unless part of a larger permitted project
• Window awnings on single-family residences or garages that project no more than 54 inches
• Stopping leaks or clearing stoppages in plumbing systems when valves, pipes, or fixtures are not replaced
• Replacement of electrical receptacles, switches, circuit breakers, or fixtures when wiring is not changed or moved
• Non-fixed movable cases, racks, counters, and partitions in nonresidential facilities not over 5 feet 9 inches high

Important: Fences or structures within 20 feet of the front property line require a separate Public Works fence permit and may be limited to 3 feet in height. Walkway/driveway work over 150 square feet requires a flatwork permit, and over 500 square feet of impervious surface requires bioretention. Accessory structures over 120 square feet, over 8 feet high, or connected to utilities require permits, and zoning/planning constraints still apply even where a building permit is exempt. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1725/Do-I-Need-a-Permit

Inspections

How to Schedule

• All inspections are scheduled online through eTRAKiT (app)

Inspection hours

Inspection windows are AM (9:00 AM-12:30 PM) or PM (1:00 PM-4:00 PM), and someone must be on site for the full window. Inspector phone hours are generally Monday-Thursday 7:30-8:30 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM; Friday inspections/phone hours are listed as closed on the inspection page. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1292/Inspections

Time windows

Inspection windows are AM (9:00 AM-12:30 PM) or PM (1:00 PM-4:00 PM), and someone must be on site for the full window. Inspector phone hours are generally Monday-Thursday 7:30-8:30 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM; Friday inspections/phone hours are listed as closed on the inspection page. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1292/Inspections

Typical inspection sequence: The Town's published inspection page does not provide a universal sequence by project type. Based on Town materials, applicants should expect inspections to track permit scope and approved plans, with the permit in Issued status before scheduling, town-stamped plans and inspection card on site, and specialty requirements such as truss approval before framing, updated flood documentation before framing where applicable, and required structural observation/special inspection signoff before final inspection. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1292/Inspections and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/25292/Building-Permit-Process Reinspection note: Inspection results are visible in eTRAKiT the next day. Questions about correction notes can be emailed to inspector@townofsananselmo.org. The Town also notes repeated inspections may incur added fees. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1292/Inspections and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1294/FEES

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ordinance No. 1168 adopted the 2022 California Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Green Building Standards, Existing Building, and Referenced Standards Codes, plus the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code and 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with local amendments. Separate Town green building requirements were updated by Ordinance No. 1181, adopted September 12, 2023, with enforcement starting March 2024. Source URL: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/857/Town-Ordinances and https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1228/Green-Building
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1945/Permit-Submittal-Instructions
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1803/Permit-Process
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/207/Forms-Applications
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1228/Green-Building
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1979/Symbium-Solar-Permits
• https://www.townofsananselmo.org/857/Town-Ordinances
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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