Building Permit
Overview
The City's Online Permitting Portal is accessible 24/7. A Building Permit application is required to build or alter a structure, install, repair, or modify electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems, or demolish any construction that does not first require a separate Planning Application approval.
The City requires all permits be submitted in the Online Permit Portal. Hard-copy applications are not accepted. When submitting a new application, the online Building Permitting application process consists of the following four pages. Except for the Information page, all other pages are must be completed:
- Information - Provides pertinent information about City requirements and conditions for online permits
- Scope of Work - Applicant must select options to declare the proposed type of work
- Application - Applicant must provide information such as the property address and individuals related to the project (e.g. Contractor, Owner, Architect).
- Submittals - Applicant must submit required electronic documents for staff review.
Once the online application is submitted by the applicant, City staff will review the application. When the application is accepted, the applicant will be notified for any required plan check fees to commence the plan review process; if there are missing documents or other concerns with your application, the application will be returned and can be resubmitted once corrected.
Quick User Guides
Detailed User Guides
To start using the system, you will be required to register an account with your email. When accessing the system, each user will have access to their own projects while being able to provide access to other authorized users (e.g. architects, contractors) as needed.
For any questions regarding the building permit e-portal or to schedule a building inspection, please email the Building Division Permit Technician or call 650-259-2330.
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Tabitha Romero
Permit TechnicianPhone: 650-259-2330
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Building Division
Phone: 650-259-2330
Hours
Monday through Friday
9 am to 4 pmAll Building inspections are conducted:
Monday through Friday
9 am to Noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm
- What do I need a building permit for?
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Property owners wishing to build upon or remodel existing structures on any property within the City of Millbrae must acquire a building permit from the City’s Building Division.
- When is a building permit not required?
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- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
- Residential wood fences not over 7 feet in height.
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
- Replacement of existing sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.
- Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground.
- Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
- Window awnings of Group R-3 and U occupancies supported by an exterior wall, do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall, and do not require additional support.
- Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet - 9 inches in height.
- When is an electrical permit not required?
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An Electrical Permit shall not be required for the following:
- Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an approved receptacle when the Electrical Code permits that cord or cable.
- Repair or replacement of motors, transformers, and controls within fixed approved appliances of the same type and rating in the same location.
- Temporary decorative lighting.
- Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contactor, or control device.
- Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets, therefore.
- Replacement of any overcurrent device less than 1200 amps of the same capacity in the same location.
- Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.
- Taping joints.
- Removal of electrical wiring.
- Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.
- The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.
- Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
- Low-energy power, control, and signal circuits of class II and III as defined in the Electrical Code.