Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
Building Counter (650) 599-7310; Inspections (650) 599-7311; Code Compliance (650) 363-4825; general information (650) 363-1827
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.