East Palo Alto, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of East Palo Alto building permit authority for properties within the City; separate Planning/Engineering departments may have additional approvals (e.g., right-of-way, zoning, design review), with San Francisco' No�within East Palo Alto city jurisdiction only.

Department

Building Services Division (City of East Palo Alto) and Permit Center / Community & Economic Development Department

Address

1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Phone

650-853-3189 (Building); 650-853-3100 (City general)

Email

building@cityofepa.org (Building) , planning@cityofepa.org (Planning)

Website

https://www.cityofepa.org/building ; https://www.cityofepa.org/econdev/page/permit-center

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Complete required application form(s) and supporting documents (e.g., Building Permit Application, site plan, related reports) and submit to building@cityofepa.org for processing.
2. Staff reviews and contacts applicant within 2 business days with next steps.
3. Formal plan-review submission begins: plans routed to reviewing divisions/consultants; initial reviews (City references 30-day review period).
4. Applicant responds to comments and resubmits as needed (rechecks/rounds).
5. Once all approvals are received and required plan corrections are made, a permit is issued.

Typical processing time: 30-day review period noted for formal submittals; two-week rechecks for resubmittals if needed; initial fees cover three (3) plan reviews.

Source: Building Services Division (City of East Palo Alto) and Permit Center / Community & Economic Development Department

General Requirements

New buildings, additions, new construction, garage conversions, and legalization of existing structures require planning review before building permit issuance; ADUs require zoning clearance before building submission (Planning FAQ). Planning says many tenant-improvements/remodels/re-roof projects generally do not need planning review unless adding square footage/facade changes.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application (building_permit_application.pdf), digital plan set/PDF requirements, supporting documentation, and signatures/declarations (owner-builder or licensed contractor). Construction documents should follow digital submittal checklist.

Permit validity

Development Code indicates permits/approvals are expected to be exercised within 24 months of approval unless otherwise specified; any construction pause of 120+ days can cause expiration. Continuation/extension requests must be filed at least 30 days prior to expiration with applicable fee.

Building code

2025 California Building Codes are linked as applicable; permit forms reference 2022 CBC and 2022 California Residential Code section 105.2 for some exempt-work definitions.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder declaration option exists; if owner does the work, the declaration of exemption is required under CBC 105.2/Code 2025 references. Owner-builder cannot employ others except own employees with wages-only compensation for license-law exemption claims.

Contractor requirements

City requires license declaration; contractors must be licensed under California Contractors State License Law or provide legal exemption. City warns unlicensed work may trigger penalties and report to CSLB.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

not a single flat "minimum" for all classes; examples shown include Building Plan Check base fee $246.45 (single-family up to $5,000), and Building Permit/Inspection base fee $796.45 (single-family up to $5,000).

Plan check fee

included in fee schedule as separate Building Plan Check tables by project type and valuation.

Reinspection fee

Additional fees may apply for extra plan checks, deferred submittals, and supplemental inspection fees; additional fee also applies for projects needing more than average inspections.

Payment note

City staff indicate check/cash/money order accepted; no credit/debit cards. Planning and building pages emphasize payment by check made out to �City of East Palo Alto� for submitted applications.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Important: City notes exempt items may still need Planning, Engineering, or other agency review; emergency repairs still need permit application submitted within next business day for code-required scenarios.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Email-based intake; no dedicated public permit portal listed on Building Services page (online)
• 650-853-3189 (phone)

Time windows

Building permit counter Mondays/Tues/Thurs, 9:00am-11:45am and 1:00pm-3:45pm (lunch 12-1); permit center windows also include virtual/appointment days Wed/Fri. Inspections requested by phone for available weekdays as posted on handout.

Typical inspection sequence: request inspection type (permit must have job card and approved plans onsite), then staging inspections (rough/system, framing, under-slab, slab, foundation, electrical/plumbing/mechanical, windows/insulation, final inspection). Final inspection required before occupancy; utility release may wait until final approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Codes are linked as applicable; permit forms reference 2022 CBC and 2022 California Residential Code section 105.2 for some exempt-work definitions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Center
• Does My Project Require Planning Permit
• Comprehensive Fee Schedule
• Building Informational Handouts
• Title 18 Article 7 201809041615290410
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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