Building Permits in San Mateo
San Mateo's Building Division administers building permits, plan review and building inspections.
Current codes
San Mateo adopted its 2025 triennial building-code update by Ordinance 2025-09. The underlying 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) became effective statewide January 1, 2026, with San Mateo local amendments. Applicants should use the current municipal-code provisions together with Title 24.
Applications, inspections and fees
Permit requirements and exemptions depend on the applicable code and project scope; no exemption threshold is imported from another California jurisdiction. The Building Division provides an inspection line for scheduling, rescheduling and obtaining inspection results.
San Mateo Municipal Code §23.06.120 provides that permit, plan-check, inspection and reinspection fees are established by City Council resolution rather than one universal formula. The same section states that a plan-review application generally expires if no permit is issued within 180 days, subject to the City's stated extension provisions.
Special expedited rules published for small residential rooftop solar systems are not presented as general building-permit review deadlines.
Official sources
- San Mateo Building Division: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/220/Building
- San Mateo Ordinance 2025-09: https://law.cityofsanmateo.org/us/ca/cities/san-mateo/ordinances/2025/9
- San Mateo Municipal Code §23.06.120: https://law.cityofsanmateo.org/us/ca/cities/san-mateo/code/23.06.120
- California Building Standards Commission: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/codes
Disclaimer: Verify current City Council fee resolutions, local amendments and project-specific inspections with San Mateo Building Division before filing.