Administrative overview · FIPS 06085
Santa Clara 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
Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development - Building Division
For a project in or near Santa Clara 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
Permit Center/Building Division (408) 299-5700; Fire Prevention construction inspections (408) 341-4420
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Permit Center, 70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, 7th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
Operating hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m., with Friday building services limited to active permits; closed Saturday-Sunday.
Review expectation
N/A for ordinary permit review; the County does not publish one standard plan-review timeline. A planning screening may be required before building review. Inspection requests submitted before 3:00 p.m. on regular workdays are generally scheduled for the next working day.
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 Santa Clara County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development - Building Division 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 Permit Center/Building Division (408) 299-5700; Fire Prevention construction inspections (408) 341-4420.
How long might review take?
N/A for ordinary permit review; the County does not publish one standard plan-review timeline. A planning screening may be required before building review. Inspection requests submitted before 3:00 p.m. on regular workdays are generally scheduled for the next working day.
How are inspections scheduled?
Inspections are required for permitted work. Request through the VuSpex GO mobile app, the County Public Permit Portal, or by calling (408) 299-5700. Requests received before 3:00 p.m. on regular workdays generally receive next-day inspections; requests may be made up to five days in advance. Fire Prevention construction inspections use (408) 341-4420.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2025 California Building Code (2024 IBC); 2025 California Residential Code (2024 IRC); 2025 California Electrical Code (2023 NEC); 2025 California Mechanical Code (2024 IMC); 2025 California Plumbing Code (2024 IPC); 2025 California Fire Code (2024 IFC); 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen); 2025 California Energy Code; and 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, with Santa Clara County amendments in Municipal Code Division C3. County examples of work exempt from a building permit include one-story detached accessory structures such as sheds and playhouses not exceeding 120 sq. ft.; fences not over 7 ft. high; and retaining walls not over 4 ft. measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge. The complete exemptions are in current California Residential Code Section R105 and California Building Code Section 105. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may still be required.