Los Altos, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Los Altos.

Department

Development Services Department, Building Division

Address

1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022

Phone

(650) 947-2752

Website

https://www.losaltosca.gov/193/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Standard building plan-check submittals are submitted electronically by email to the Building Permits Division; hard-copy plan submittals are not accepted.
2. City staff confirms whether the submittal is complete; allow up to 5 business days for completeness review and processing.
3. After intake and payment of plan review fees, the project is routed to the appropriate City departments for review.
4. Resubmittals must include a response letter, revised plans, and clouded/delta-marked changes.
5. Once approved, permits, approved plans, and related documents are emailed to the responsible party and must be printed and kept on site for inspections.
6. For some simple residential permits, contractors can apply online through eTRAKiT.

Source: Development Services Department, Building Division

General Requirements

Permits are required for construction or renovation work regulated by the adopted California building codes and City amendments.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Plan sets in PDF format
• Structural calculations (separate PDF)
• Title 24 energy documents (separate PDF)
• Truss calculations (if applicable)
• Product/spec sheets (if applicable)

Building code

2025 California Building Codes (for submittals received after December 22, 2025)

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$245.73 (valuation up to $3,000)

Plan check fee

135% of the building permit fee; Title 24 energy plan check at 25%

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based building permit fees per the FY 2025-26 fee schedule

Trade permit fee

Water heater permit $153.45; EV charging station permit $306.90; single-family standalone building permit $238.36

Reinspection fee

$253.70 per reinspection request

Payment note

Additional fees may apply at permit issuance including construction tax, strong motion/seismic mapping fees, general plan maintenance fee, technology surcharge fee, and applicable engineering, stormwater, sewer, or impact fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Freestanding unenclosed play structures
• Enclosed accessory structures used as playhouses, tool sheds, storage sheds, and similar uses less than 120 square feet, constructed without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical features

Important: Even where structures are exempt from a building permit, zoning approval is still required to confirm compliance with local zoning rules. Confirm edge cases with the Building Division before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT portal (online)

Inspection hours

Morning: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM; Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Time windows

AM window: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM; PM window: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Inspectors do not call on the inspection day to provide a narrower arrival window.

Typical inspection sequence: All issued permits require inspections; the type and number depend on the scope of work. Before final inspection, final approvals from other applicable departments (Fire, Engineering, Planning) are required.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2025 California Building Codes (for submittals received after December 22, 2025)
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Green Building Requirements
• Final Inspection Requirements
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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