Foster City, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Building permits apply to City construction/development projects in Foster City that are not merely cosmetic (building permits required for all interior and exterior changes except carpeting or painting) and may require separate planning approvals.

Department

City of Foster City Building Division (Community Development Department).

Address

610 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404.

Phone

Main Office 650-286-3227; Permit Center 650-286-3231.

Email

building@fostercity.org , permit center inquiries: cddpermit@fostercity.org , inspection inquiries: Jmarlette@fostercity.org.

Website

https://www.fostercity.org/commdev/page/building-permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit sequence: for many work types, planning approval is required first (for listed projects).
2. Complete the Building Permit Application.
3. Submit plans and supporting documents (4 plan sets required for many scope types; submittal requirements listed in plan check document).
4. Pay required fees (and business license if needed).
5. Permit is issued after review/submittal.
6. Schedule required inspections.
7. Project is complete after final inspection signature on the job card.

Typical processing time: Some projects may require plan check review up to four weeks; eTRAKiT states review time does not begin until a complete application is received.

Source: City of Foster City Building Division (Community Development Department).

General Requirements

for all interior and exterior changes except cosmetic changes such as carpeting or painting. Permit is required whether change is new construction or replacement.

Required Documents

• Building Permit Application, plans and related supporting documents
• electronic submittal or in-person as directed
• complete checklists and submittal requirements include plans, structural/energy/special inspection documentation when applicable, plus approvals/declarations listed in the plan check document.

Permit validity

Not explicitly stated on the public permit pages found; extension processing is available when requested before permit expiration.

Building code

City references 2022 California Building Standards Code for projects submitted on/after Jan 1, 2023 and notes pending 2022 code-cycle acceptance timing; adopted code links include 2025 California building code family.

Owner-builder

Owners can obtain permits but are treated as the contractor and remain responsible for code compliance and inspections if they act as owner-builder. Licensed contractors are expected and are recommended.

Contractor requirements

Property owner or a California-licensed contractor may obtain permits; tenant must have owner permission and signed permit docs. Contractors are expected to provide required bonding/guarantees in practice.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$65.82 (building permit valuation band $1-$500).

Plan check fee

CDB-01 first plan check = 70% of building fee; 2nd plan check = no additional cost; third+ = actual cost.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fee is valuation-based and tiered (e.g., slab + per incremental amount through multiple bands up to $15,814.19 for the first $1,000,000 + $7.84 per additional $1,000+).

Reinspection fee

Reinspection is billed as actual cost; penalty processing is tiered by late filing timing (e.g., 10 days / 11-30 days / 31+ days with additional processing/permit fee multipliers for R-1 and other categories).

Payment note

plan review fees due at initial plan review submittal; development/permit/school impact fees paid at or before permit issuance; portal supports online pay with scheduled and fee-estimate functions.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Important: if in doubt, confirm with the Building Division before starting work; the city treats many work types as permit-required and requires complete submittals.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (CentralSquare Technologies). (online)

Time windows

morning 8:30–12:00 and afternoon 1:00–4:00; permit staff hours on-line scheduling and no permits issued after 3:00 PM.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City references 2022 California Building Standards Code for projects submitted on/after Jan 1, 2023 and notes pending 2022 code-cycle acceptance timing; adopted code links include 2025 California building code family.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning Permits
• Building Permit Fees
• Adopted Codes
• Building Permits
• Who Should Get The Permit
• Plan Check Submittals
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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