Portola Valley, CA : Building Permit FAQs

Welcome to our Building Permit FAQs. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact Carol Borck, Planning Technician, at (650) 851-1700, ext. 211.

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When do I need an encroachment permit?
What work is exempted from obtaining a building permit?
When do I need a building permit?
How do I apply for a building permit?
How much does a building permit cost?

When do I need an encroachment permit?

What work is exempted from obtaining a building permit?

When do I need a building permit?

How do I apply for a building permit?

How much does a building permit cost?

Q: When do I need an encroachment permit? A: An encroachment permit is required whenever work is to be conducted in the public right-of-way. This includes paving driveways, trenching for utilities, installing approved landscaping, etc. An encroachment permit application must be completed and submitted to the Town Engineer for review along with the required plans and payment of fees and bonds prior to the commencement of any work.
Q: What work is exempted from obtaining a building permit? A: One-story detached accessory buildings not exceeding eight (8) feet in height and not exceeding 120 square feet projected roof area. Exterior decks or walkways that do not exceed 120 square feet and are not greater than thirty (30) inches in height from the deck-walking surface to natural grade. Wood fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the fence located on non-street frontage property lines. Retaining walls less than four (4) feet in height as measured from the base of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge. Painting, papering, and similar finish work. Keep in mind that all proposed work must conform to Town Zoning Ordinance and Design Guidelines whether or not a building permit is required.
Q: When do I need a building permit? A: A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure, or make any installation, alteration, or improvement to an electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system.
Q: How do I apply for a building permit? A: You will need to complete a Building Permit application, pay appropriate permit, plan check and any other applicable fees and deposits for review, and submit wet signed and stamped building plan sets, structural calculations, and Title 24 calculations.
Q: How much does a building permit cost? A: Building permit applications require a filing fee, plan check fee, construction traffic road fee, and sometimes additional fees and deposits for professional services. In addition, there may also be a construction and demolition fee and deposit. The costs vary based on the value of the proposed improvements and the plan reviews that will be required (e.g. Town Geologist, Town Planner, Health Officer).

Q: When do I need an encroachment permit?

An encroachment permit is required whenever work is to be conducted in the public right-of-way. This includes paving driveways, trenching for utilities, installing approved landscaping, etc. An encroachment permit application must be completed and submitted to the Town Engineer for review along with the required plans and payment of fees and bonds prior to the commencement of any work.

Q: What work is exempted from obtaining a building permit?

One-story detached accessory buildings not exceeding eight (8) feet in height and not exceeding 120 square feet projected roof area.
Exterior decks or walkways that do not exceed 120 square feet and are not greater than thirty (30) inches in height from the deck-walking surface to natural grade.
Wood fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the fence located on non-street frontage property lines.
Retaining walls less than four (4) feet in height as measured from the base of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Painting, papering, and similar finish work.

Keep in mind that all proposed work must conform to Town Zoning Ordinance and Design Guidelines whether or not a building permit is required.

Q: When do I need a building permit?

A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure, or make any installation, alteration, or improvement to an electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system.

Q: How do I apply for a building permit?

You will need to complete a Building Permit application, pay appropriate permit, plan check and any other applicable fees and deposits for review, and submit wet signed and stamped building plan sets, structural calculations, and Title 24 calculations.

Q: How much does a building permit cost?

Building permit applications require a filing fee, plan check fee, construction traffic road fee, and sometimes additional fees and deposits for professional services. In addition, there may also be a construction and demolition fee and deposit. The costs vary based on the value of the proposed improvements and the plan reviews that will be required (e.g. Town Geologist, Town Planner, Health Officer).

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