Belmont, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Belmont municipal jurisdiction (city limits and permits required only for work in Belmont)

Department

Address

1 Twin Pines Lane, Suite 110, Belmont, CA 94002

Phone

650-595-7422

Email

permitcenter@belmont.gov

Website

https://www.belmont.gov/departments/community-development/permit-center

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit type and download the correct application package (Building Permit Application, electrical/mechanical/alteration docs, etc.) from Permit Center forms.
2. Prepare required documents (permit application, complete plan set, supporting approvals, valuation) and owner/contractor identification.
3. Submit via eTRAKiT for eligible permit types (express residential, tree removal, alarm permits, etc.) or through Permit Center staff channels for non-express permits.
4. City performs plan review. The published service standard is generally 10 business days, with 5 business days for rechecks; expedited reviews may be available.
5. After issuance, permit must be marked "Ready to Issue" and prior conditions resolved before pickup/recording. You must pick up the permit package before starting work for B permits.
6. Schedule inspections for completed milestones (including final inspection) and keep work ready for inspection.

Source:

General Requirements

Most construction, alteration, mechanical, structural, plumbing, and electrical work requires a permit under California Building Code. City guidance explicitly uses a list of permit-exempt items instead of permit-eligible items.

Required Documents

• - Completed Building Permit Application (signed) - Project description, construction valuation, and work classification - Complete plan set (wet-stamped/signed where applicable
• electronic accepted): plot plan, floor plans, elevations, foundation/floor framing, roof framing, section details - Title 24 documentation where applicable - Structural calculations/plans for structural work - Other agency approvals, grading/erosion plans, survey, conditions of approval - Subcontractor business license disclosures and owner/agent details

Permit validity

- City construction-time-limit framework requires first inspection within 180 days of permit issuance and completion by valuation-based deadline (current schedule: $0�$50k: 9 months; $50,001�$100k: 12 months; $100,001�$500k: 18 months; over $500k: 24 months; plus extra 90 days for required Planning Commission landscaping where applicable). - Extensions are available with filing deadlines (within 30 days of permit expiration).

Building code

- California Building Code and City of Belmont Municipal Code (links provided under City Building Codes/Code online resources).

Owner-builder

- Owner-builder option exists on permit form; owner-builder submissions require a Property Owner�s Package.

Contractor requirements

- Contractor license required for contractor-class permitants; city form includes licensed contractor declaration, license/class, and city business license check.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

- FY2025-26 fee schedule uses valuation-based tables rather than a single flat minimum; base tier shows a minimum building permit amount in the lowest valuation band.

Permit fee formula

- Building Permit Valuation table (ICC valuation table-based tiers) - Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee - Additional fees: electronic retention 5%, state energy 25%, planning check 35%, accessibility check 25%, and applicable GP Maintenance fee (0.75% of valuation)

Reinspection fee

- Reinspection/unspecified inspection minimum shown as $397 per inspection hour/half-hour minimum entries in FY2025-26 table (outside normal-hour inspections also listed as $397/hour minimum) - Construction-time-limit extension fees: initial 6 months $1,000; first 60 days $1,000; second 60 days $1,500; third 60 days $2,000

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (online)

Inspection hours

- Construction activity with a permit: generally Monday�Friday 8:00 a.m.�5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m.�5:00 p.m. unless an exception is granted.

Additional Resources

• Building code: - California Building Code and City of Belmont Municipal Code (links provided under City Building Codes/Code online resources).
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Center
• App Packets And Forms
• Building Department
• 637217281377700000
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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