Administrative overview · FIPS 06081
San Mateo County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
San Mateo County Planning and Building Department - Building Permits and Inspections
For a project in or near San Mateo County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
Building Counter (650) 599-7310; Inspections (650) 599-7311; Code Compliance (650) 363-4825; general information (650) 363-1827
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Operating hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., closed 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch; closed Friday-Sunday and County-observed holidays.
Review expectation
N/A; the County states review is first-come, first-served and timing varies with project type, location, complexity, permit volume, and required discretionary planning review. Minor projects are reviewed separately and generally faster, but no standard number of days is published.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for San Mateo County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
San Mateo County Planning and Building Department - Building Permits and Inspections is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Building Counter (650) 599-7310; Inspections (650) 599-7311; Code Compliance (650) 363-4825; general information (650) 363-1827.
How long might review take?
N/A; the County states review is first-come, first-served and timing varies with project type, location, complexity, permit volume, and required discretionary planning review. Minor projects are reviewed separately and generally faster, but no standard number of days is published.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule online through the Accela Permit Center. Have the record number, contractor name and phone, project address including floor or suite, inspection type, and desired date. Inspections are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; after 7:30 a.m. on the inspection day, the portal shows a three-hour estimated window. Each inspection must be requested separately. Inspection phone: (650) 599-7311.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
San Mateo County Title 10 Building Regulations adopts the 2025 California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1-12), including the California Green Building Standards, together with applicable state-agency amendments, County building regulations, California Fire Code, and local fire-district requirements. County zoning and development rules are administered separately under Title 8 and related regulations; coastal-zone effectiveness can depend on Coastal Commission certification. N/A for a consolidated minor/cosmetic exemption list. The County organizes requirements by project-specific permit types, including decks, re-roofs, water heaters, remodels, accessory buildings, pools, and retaining walls; applicants should confirm whether a permit is required for the specific scope with the Building Counter. Minor projects may not require an architect, but that is not a permit exemption.