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Office Hours:
Development Review Center Hours: Monday thru Thursday
Planning Counter: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm call (650) 363-1825
Building Counter: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm call (650) 599-7311
for 24 hr. Automated Inspection Scheduling System, call (650) 306-8415
Public Works Counter: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm call (650) 363-4161
Appointments are available.
(see our Location Map)
Online Permit Center
General Procedures When Applying for
a Planning or Building Permit
How do I apply for a planning
or building permit?You apply at the Development Review Center (DRC), Second Floor, 455 County Center, Redwood City. Counter hours at the DRC are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday thru Thursday. No appointment is necessary.
The DRC handles permit applications for all unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. If your property is within the boundaries of any incorporated city or town, contact that city rather than the DRC.
For more detailed information about how the DRC will assist you with your project, we suggest that you read the booklet A User's Guide to the Development Review Center. You may pick up a copy at the DRC, or you may call us and we will be glad to mail you a copy.
What's the first step in this process?
The DRC has pamphlets that describe the steps required to secure a permit for each kind of project, e.g., building a house, remodeling a house, or requesting a variance. Before you fill out an application, study the pamphlet that applies to your project to determine which approvals you will need and what plans and other documents you must submit with your application.
Once you are familiar with your project’s requirements, we recommend that you prepare some very preliminary plans and bring them to the DRC counter so that we can review them before you submit your application. An informal meeting at this stage may save you considerable time and money later on. The goal of every staff member at the DRC is to help you get your project approved. After seeing very preliminary plans, the counter staff can help you by spotting potential problems and pointing out what kinds of changes, if any, you might have to make. Then you can create your formal plans and submit your application.
If you are new to San Mateo County, you may also wish to make an appointment to meet with staff as part of the County’s Early Assistance Meeting Program. Early assistance meetings are designed to acquaint owner/builders, contractors, architects, and other professionals who are new to the area with our permit system, the different agencies involved, and the various costs and requirements. There is no charge for the meeting, which you can schedule with the Planning Division by calling (650) 363-1825. Meetings are currently available. Please call for details.
What happens after I apply?
The staff reviews your plans and routes them to several other departments for their review, including:
- Environmental Planning
- Health
- Building Inspection
- Fire
- Public Works
- Public Utilities
Once you have made any required changes and all departments have given their approvals, we will send you a card telling you that you may pay your permit fees and receive your permit.
What fees must I pay?
The fees for a permit, plan check, and other services vary depending upon a number of factors. You may get a current fee schedule and pay your fees at the DRC counter.
Fee Schedule Document for FY '02/03 requires
General Procedures Brochure requires
San Mateo County Planning & Building Division
County Office Building
455 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4161
Fax: (650) 363-4849