What is the Application for Design Review Exemption?

It is an application for a proposed project seeking exemption from design review. It collects owner, applicant, parcel, project, and building-material information.

What materials must accompany the application?

The form lists three sets of plans, one reduced plan set, applicable application forms, an Environmental Information Form, and fees set by resolution. Photographs may be requested, and additional information may be required during review.

Do I need a notary for the Application for Design Review Exemption?

No. The owner and applicant sign and date the application without a notary. The form lists supporting materials but no notarized or sworn attachment.

How do I submit the Application for Design Review Exemption?

Submit the application and required materials to Planning and Building at 455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Mail Drop PLN 122, Redwood City, CA 94063.

San Mateo County, CA · San Mateo County

No notary required

Application for Design Review Exemption

Property owners or applicants use this form to request a design review exemption for a proposed project in San Mateo County.

At a glance

Issued by: City of San Mateo County · San Mateo County, San Mateo County, California
Notarization: Not required: file this form without a notary.
Official source: smcgov.org
Blank form: Download the PDF
Catalogued: Oct 5, 2026
Machine-readable: JSON record · about the forms index

What this form is

This application requests an exemption from design review for a proposed project. It asks for owner and applicant contact details, parcel and project information, a description of the work, and proposed building materials and finishes. The county requires three plan sets, reduced plans, applicable application forms, an Environmental Information Form, and fees as set by Board of Supervisors resolution; photographs may be requested.

Who needs it

Property owners or applicants seeking a design review exemption for a project in San Mateo County should complete and submit this application.

How to submit it

Submit the application and required materials to Planning and Building, 455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Mail Drop PLN 122, Redwood City, CA 94063. The form lists fees as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

About notarization

This application is signed and dated by the owner and applicant without a notary; it lists supporting materials, but no notarized or sworn attachment.

How to submit this form

1
Download the Application
Download the Application for Design Review Exemption PDF.
2
Complete the Form
Fill in owner and applicant details, parcel and project information, the project description, and proposed materials and finishes.
3
Gather Required Materials
Include the plan sets, applicable forms, Environmental Information Form, and fees listed on the application. Provide photographs if requested.
4
Submit to the County
Send the application and materials to Planning and Building at the address listed on the form.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Application for Design Review Exemption?: It is an application for a proposed project seeking exemption from design review. It collects owner, applicant, parcel, project, and building-material information.
What materials must accompany the application?: The form lists three sets of plans, one reduced plan set, applicable application forms, an Environmental Information Form, and fees set by resolution. Photographs may be requested, and additional information may be required during review.
Do I need a notary for the Application for Design Review Exemption?: No. The owner and applicant sign and date the application without a notary. The form lists supporting materials but no notarized or sworn attachment.
How do I submit the Application for Design Review Exemption?: Submit the application and required materials to Planning and Building at 455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Mail Drop PLN 122, Redwood City, CA 94063.

Need something notarized?

This Application for Design Review Exemption doesn’t need a notary, but if you have another San Mateo County form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.