San Mateo, CA · San Mateo County
Building Permit Application Form
Property owners, agents, contractors, and other applicants use this form to apply for a building permit for work at a San Mateo property.
What this form is
Use this application to request a building permit for work such as additions, alterations, reroofing, demolition, or other projects. It asks for the project address, description, valuation, proposed and existing uses, and contact and license details for the owner, applicant, contractor, and design professional, as applicable. Contractors must also complete the workers’ compensation declaration; it is not required for owner/builder permits.
Who needs it
Property owners, agents, contractors, and other listed applicants seeking a building permit for work at a property in San Mateo need this application.
How to submit it
Apply online through the Customer Self-Service Portal at https://css.cityofsanmateo.org. For online applications, complete the workers’ compensation declaration and upload it as a PDF attachment.
About notarization
This application is signed without a notary; the contractor’s workers’ compensation declaration is made under penalty of perjury, and the signer signs and dates it.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download The Application
Download the Building Permit Application Form.
- 2
Complete The Form
Enter the project details and the requested owner, applicant, contractor, and design professional information, as applicable.
- 3
Complete The Contractor Declaration
Contractors should complete the workers’ compensation declaration; it is not required for owner/builder permits.
- 4
Submit To The City
Apply online through the Customer Self-Service Portal and upload the completed declaration as a PDF attachment.
Frequently asked questions
- What work does this building permit application cover?
- The form lists electrical or mechanical additions, alterations or remodeling, plumbing, reroofing, garage work, demolition, and other miscellaneous work.
- Do I need a notary for the Building Permit Application Form?
- No. The application is signed without a notary. Contractors make the workers’ compensation declaration under penalty of perjury and sign and date it.
- How do I submit the Building Permit Application Form?
- Apply online through the Customer Self-Service Portal. For online applications, complete the workers’ compensation declaration and upload it as a PDF attachment.
- What information does the application request?
- It asks for project details and contact information for the owner, applicant, contractor, and architect or designer, as applicable. Contractor information includes license and workers’ compensation details.