Confirm the parcel
A mailing city or ZIP code does not prove the permitting jurisdiction. Confirm whether the address is inside city limits or in an unincorporated county area.
02 / Find the right jurisdiction
City permit directory
Start with the agency responsible for your parcel. Browse a detailed San Mateo and Santa Clara county index, plus county starting points for the other areas YKCA serves.
Describe the work
Use a short scope: what changes, what stays, which equipment is added and whether work affects the structure, exterior or utility service.
Choose the application path
Ask whether the scope qualifies for a simpler permit, needs drawings, or requires planning, fire, public works or utility coordination.
Find the official starting point.
Search a city or county. These are agency resources, not city-specific YKCA service pages. The Colma entry is marked for a fresh contact check.
37 jurisdictions
Atherton
Separate upload links are provided for new submissions and existing projects.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Belmont
The eTRAKiT guide identifies express residential permits and record searches.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Brisbane
Use the Clariti portal; commercial tenant improvements can benefit from the city’s pre-application meeting.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Burlingame
Start with building submittal guidelines and the relevant project checklist.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Colma
Official town website. The building page could not be rechecked during this review; confirm the current application route with the town.
Open official town website ↗Limited verification · October 3, 2026Daly City
Find building services, inspection instructions and the city’s permit resources.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026East Palo Alto
The Building Services page explains how to submit applications and supporting documents.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Foster City
Official permit and project portal; read its document requirements before applying.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Half Moon Bay
Contact the building team here and check whether the site also needs planning or coastal review.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Hillsborough
Official building links include online permitting and inspection scheduling.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Menlo Park
The city portal separates limited plan check from the building pre-application route.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Millbrae
Review building guidance, fee resources and the current permit submission links.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Pacifica
Use the department’s Building Division link and confirm any planning or coastal requirements.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Portola Valley
Start with Planning & Building applications and checklists for the exact scope.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Redwood City
Building & Code Enforcement provides current application instructions and inspection resources.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026San Bruno
SB Permits uses MyGovernmentOnline; older permits may have different inspection instructions.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026San Carlos
The city uses a Customer Self-Service portal and digital submittals.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026San Mateo
Review project requirements and use the city’s online permit center.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026South San Francisco
The permit center distinguishes permits with plans from eligible over-the-counter work.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Woodside
Review building submittals alongside any separate planning, engineering and fire requirements.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Unincorporated San Mateo County
Use county permit types for parcels outside incorporated cities, including county communities.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Campbell
The Building page is the starting point for the city’s permit process and requirements.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Cupertino
Online services list eligible permits and instructions for other applications.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Gilroy
GO Permit provides online permits and inspection services.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Los Altos
The city distinguishes simple online permits from electronic plan submittals.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Los Altos Hills
Electronic building applications are submitted through the town’s eTRAKiT process.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Los Gatos
Use the town’s building guidance and permit application resources.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Milpitas
The online permitting guide links to applications and status information.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Monte Sereno
The department page lists online permit services and planning requirements.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Morgan Hill
Start with Building & Fire Prevention and the appropriate submission instructions.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Mountain View
Select the building permit type; expedited paths have specific scope limits.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Palo Alto
Planning & Development links to permit services; coordinate separately with city utilities when needed.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026San José
Start by selecting the property and project type before choosing the permit route.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Santa Clara
The permit center coordinates Building, Planning, Public Works and Fire information.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Saratoga
Use the Building Division and its project-specific guides and handouts.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Sunnyvale
The permit center links to applications, fees and the building safety team.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026Unincorporated Santa Clara County
County building guidance applies to county-jurisdiction parcels; confirm the parcel before using a nearby city portal.
Open official permit resource ↗Official resource · October 3, 2026No matching jurisdiction. Check the city spelling or choose both counties.
A useful first inquiry
“The project address is ____. We plan to ____. The work will affect ____. Which permit type, drawings and outside approvals are required, and where should we submit?”
Attach a simple scope and existing-condition photos when the agency accepts them. Keep personal documents in the official submission system.
Have these ready
- Project address and parcel number, if available.
- Owner or authorized applicant information.
- Scope, existing/proposed equipment and location.
- Site sketch and relevant existing permit records.
- Drawings, calculations and product sheets required by the agency.
- A question list for planning, fire, utility or right-of-way work.
Ask about the finish line, too.
A submitted application, approved plans and an issued permit are different milestones. Ask what is needed for inspection scheduling, utility release and final permit closure before work starts.
Map the approval sequence →Additional county starting points
Elsewhere in YKCA’s service area?
The detailed city index above covers San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. YKCA also accepts projects in other approved locations across these seven counties. A county office generally serves its jurisdiction, not every incorporated city within the county; confirm the parcel’s reviewing agency.
Alameda County
County Public Works Agency permit resources. Confirm whether the parcel is under county or city authority.
Open official county resource ↗Contra Costa County
County permit information and ePermit Center. Confirm the building-service jurisdiction for the parcel.
Open official county resource ↗Marin County
County Building & Safety. Incorporated city and town projects may have a different reviewing agency.
Open official county resource ↗Santa Cruz County
County Unified Permit Center. Confirm city limits before starting a county application.
Open official county resource ↗San Joaquin County
County building permit starting point. Check whether the project belongs to an incorporated city.
Open official county resource ↗Stanislaus County
County Building Permits Division and construction permit resources. Confirm the responsible jurisdiction.
Open official county resource ↗City and County of San Francisco
Department of Building Inspection for San Francisco. Confirm the building, planning and trade-permit route for the work.
Open official county resource ↗
FROM THE YKCA JOURNAL
Make this page useful for your project.
Does the permit directory tell me which permit my project needs?
It provides official starting points. Confirm parcel jurisdiction and send the agency your actual scope to establish the required permit, documents and outside approvals.
