Santa Clara County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties within the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County. Use the County Property Profile tool to confirm jurisdiction.

Department

County of Santa Clara Department of Planning and Development, Permit Center

Phone

(408) 299-5700

Website

https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/services/administrative-services/permit-center

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Santa Clara County using the Property Profile tool.
2. Check whether a separate planning land-use application is required before the building permit.
3. Complete the Development Services Intake Form and submit through the Public Permit Portal.
4. Upload digital plans and required documents through the portal. Plan sets must be to scale (typically 18x24 to 24x36 inches), follow digital submittal and naming rules, and individual files must not exceed 100 MB.
5. Pay plan check and planning fees at application.
6. County staff review for code and agency compliance.
7. Pay remaining permit issuance fees and school fees if applicable before permit issuance.

Typical processing time: Generally four to six weeks, depending on workload and project complexity.

Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Planning and Development, Permit Center

General Requirements

A building permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, replacing, repairing, improving, converting, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of a building or structure.

Required Documents

• Development Services Intake Form
• Project description and square footage information
• Site plan
• Floor plans
• Exterior elevations
• Foundation plan
• Framing plans
• Roof plan
• Construction details
• Supporting engineering (where applicable)
• Geotechnical report (required for new structures and additions larger than 1,200 sq ft)
• Title 24 energy compliance documents

Building code

California Building Code

Fees

Plan check fee

Plan check and PO review fees due at plan submission

Permit fee formula

Fees based on project size, type, and construction valuation

Trade permit fee

Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permit fees paid when those permits are issued

Payment note

Building permit inspection, SMIP, encroachment, geologic review, and septic system fees are paid when the permit is issued.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures such as sheds or playhouses not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless they support a surcharge

Important: Any retaining wall supporting a surcharge (such as a road, structure, or hillside) requires a permit regardless of height. For the complete exempt-work list, refer to California Residential Code section R105 and California Building Code section 105.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Public Permit Portal (online)
• (408) 299-5700 (phone)
• VuSpex GO mobile app (app)

Scheduling deadline

Next-day inspections for requests received before 3:00 PM on regular workdays. Requests can be made up to five days in advance.

Typical inspection sequence: For projects with multiple related permits, each permit and each needed inspection must be requested separately. Work must match approved plans. The responsible contractor or representative must be present with approved plans, permit card, prior correction notices, and any required field reports.

Additional Resources

• Building code: California Building Code
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• County Fee Schedule
• Property Profile Tool
• Development Permit Resubmittals
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement