San Carlos, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of San Carlos municipal permitting only (not San Mateo County-wide)

Department

City of San Carlos Building Division

Address

600 Elm St, San Carlos, CA 94070

Phone

(650) 802-4261

Email

building@cityofsancarlos.org

Website

https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Start from the City Building Division and use the Online Submittal process.
2. Download the Building Permit Application form and submit it by email to building@cityofsancarlos.org.
3. Include all required plan review files as PDFs:
4. Staff reviews for completeness and will email missing items if anything is incomplete.
5. If complete (or only minor items missing), City issues a Box.com upload link for plan review documents.
6. Permit review is done electronically, and approved permit/plan records are delivered by email.

Typical processing time: not published on the permit pages.

Source: City of San Carlos Building Division

General Requirements

for building work that is not explicitly exempt; City references California Building/Residential Code-based permit requirements.

Required Documents

• - Completed Building Permit Application - Drawings/plan set (PDF) - Supporting docs (T-24, engineering, CALGreen when required) - Declarations for contractor license compliance, workers’ compensation coverage, and owner-builder status when applicable.

Permit validity

San Carlos permits become void 180 days after the last major inspection unless extended.

Building code

- Forms reference 2019 California Building/Residential Code cycle language and the 2022 California Residential Code cycle. - City references adopted CALGreen/Reach Code framework in city development material (useful context for standards).

Owner-builder

California contractor-law declarations are required; owner-builder may proceed only under statutory exemption language (and not for resale intent without proving otherwise).

Contractor requirements

- Licensed contractors must provide license details. - Workers compensation declaration is required. - 7031.5 declaration is required for permit applicants unless exempt.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

- FY2024-25 indexed snippet: $334 (Building Permit Fee, under $5,000) - FY2023-24 indexed PDF: $324 (for reference if FY2025 PDF is inaccessible)

Plan check fee

included in same fee schedule tables (e.g., FY2024-25 snippet: $278 under $5,000).

Permit fee formula

valuation-based bands with fixed base fee + per-$1,000 increment; plan check fees are also tiered similarly.

Reinspection fee

not separately published on building permit portal pages; verify with City on a per-application basis.

Payment note

- The City’s user-fee process is centralized in the Cost of Services schedule. - In-person/remote administrative payment details are listed under City Hall/Finance pages.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Important: - Always confirm the exact exemption category and square-footage/height limits. - If project includes connected work, code upgrades, major drainage/sewer, or structural change, permit may still be required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Tyler Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EP&L) Customer Self-Service (online)
• building@cityofsancarlos.org (email)

Inspection hours

- Permit division help availability listed on city contact page for Building: - Mon–Thu remote: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.; in-person by appointment 9 a.m.–12 p.m. - Fri remote: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m. - Contact page source: https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/city_hall/contact_us.php

Typical inspection sequence: - Permit is requested and issued digitally. - Owner requests inspection(s) on CSS after permit issuance. - City confirms and schedules inspection; method may vary by project (virtual, photos, special inspection).

- Permit division help availability listed on city contact page for Building: - Mon–Thu remote: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.; in-person by appointment 9 a.m.–12 p.m. - Fri remote: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m. - Contact page source: https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/city_hall/contact_us.php

Additional Resources

• Building code: - Forms reference 2019 California Building/Residential Code cycle language and the 2022 California Residential Code cycle. - City references adopted CALGreen/Reach Code framework in city development material (useful context for standards).
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building
• San%20Carlos%20Building%20Online
• Work%20Exempt%20From%20Permits
• Bld%20 %20Inspection%20Information
• Sancarlos1819
• Contact Us
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in San Mateo County