Burlingame, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City permits apply within Burlingame city limits; projects requiring Planning or right-of-way/utility approvals may need separate Planning/Engineering clearances.

Department

Building Division, City of Burlingame, Community Development Department

Address

501 Primrose Road, 2nd Floor, Burlingame, CA 94010

Phone

650-558-7260

Email

buildingpermits@burlingame.org

Website

https://www.burlingame.org/157/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit type by scope and prepare complete, signed package with brief scope and valuation.
2. Submit drawings and submittal materials; plans routed to Planning/Engineering/etc. for review.
3. Pay plan-check fees at submittal.
4. Correct and resubmit within comments, then request final approval.
5. Pay issuance fees and receive permit card/plans for the job site.
6. Request inspections before work is concealed or covered.

Typical processing time: first submittal estimated 15 business days; resubmittals estimated 10 business days.

Source: Building Division, City of Burlingame, Community Development Department

General Requirements

when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy, or install/alter regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

Required Documents

• building permit application, signed complete plan set, 24x36 minimum drawing sheets (with scale requirements), structural/energy calculations if needed, deferred submittal list and specialist data for larger scopes, site and elevation details, and supporting details from City submittal guide.

Permit validity

applications without permit issuance after 180 days expire; permit card also has a project-specific expiration date and must be replaced before continuing work once expired.

Building code

California Building Codes and City ordinances; City enforces current code cycle at plan submittal time.

Owner-builder

City form requires signed Owner/Builder Declaration; owner-builder exceptions are limited and include restrictions on sale period and proof requirements under B&P Code 7044.

Contractor requirements

permits are tied to active California contractor license and active City business license where contractor work is involved.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$217.82 minimum base fee is published for work valued between $1 and $2,000.

Plan check fee

Basic plan-review fee is 65% of building permit fee for Building Division review.

Reinspection fee

reinspection billed minimum one hour; other penalties (including some permit-avoidance categories) are listed in the City fee schedule.

Payment note

City lists 2.7% surcharge for card/debit payments and $1.00 eCheck fee; no service fee for checks.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Important: this is a partial list, and any exempt work still must comply with all code provisions; structural/altering egress/support work is generally not exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (online)
• 650-558-7260 (phone)
• buildinginspections@burlingame.org (email)

Inspection hours

working construction restricted to 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturdays; no work Sundays/holidays unless urgent and approved.

Typical inspection sequence: permit issued after full fee payment, request inspection windows, inspection at stages of work, and final inspection before concealment/occupancy closure.

Additional Resources

• Building code: California Building Codes and City ordinances; City enforces current code cycle at plan submittal time.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Submittal Guidelines 2023 Pdf
• 6092
• Master Fee Schedule Fy 25 26 Pdf
• Symbium For Instant Residential Pv And E
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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