Virtual & Online Services

Building Division

• Alternate Material, Design, or Method of Construction
  A permit application and review process that can be used to propose an alternate means of code compliance. This process is separate and in addition to any other permit application made for a project.
• Building Permit
  A building permit must be obtained before you construct, enlarge, alter, move, replace, repair, improve, convert, or demolish any building or structure.
• Demolition Permit
  As well as a Building Permit, a Demolition permit is necessary in order to demolish an existing structure.
• Drainage Permit
  If your project is creating more than 2,000 square feet of net new impervious area or changing an existing drainage pattern, a drainage permit is required.
• FEMA - Change Special Flood Hazard Zone designation
  If your project proposes to change your Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Zone designation, FEMA has created a process of preliminary approval.
• FEMA - Remove a Structure
  To remove a structure from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Zone, an application to amend (Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)), or revise due to the inclusion of fill (Letter of Map Revision-Fill (LOMR-F)), the limits of the flood zone is required by FEMA.
• Fire Marshal Permits and Clearances
  Various permits and clearances issued by the Fire Marshal's Office.
• Generator Application for Residential Use​
• Grading Permit
  After your project has received Grading Approval from the Planning Office, you are authorized to apply for a Grading Permit.
• Grading or Drainage Permit Modification
  If you need to modify your existing Grading or Drainage Permit.
• Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Permit
  Information and Permitting requirements for a Photovoltaic (PV) Solar System
• Post Approval Monitoring
• Renewable Energy Permits
  Information and procedures to apply for an Electric-Vehicle charging station, Wind Turbine system, or Fuel Cell Power Generating System
• SB9 Urban Lot Splits
  A parcel/lot within a single-family residential zoning district and within a U.S. Census defined urbanized area is potentially eligible for ministerial approval of 1) two dwelling units on a parcel (Urban Two-Unit Development), and/or 2) two-lot subdivisions, each lot permitted with two single-family dwelling units (Urban Lot Splits).
• SolarApp+
  County of Santa Clara and SolarApp+ provide near instant PV Solar permits for Residential Rooftop systems.
• Stormwater Quality Permit
  If your project creates more than 2,500 square feet of new impervious area, or changes the existing drainage pattern on the property, a stormwater quality permit is required.
• Subdivision Maps and Improvement Permit
  After the Tentative Map​ is approved in the Planning Office, Tract/Parcel Maps for recording and Improvement Plans require review and approval prior to recording.
• Temporary Residence
  A bonding procedure to allow for the limited-time occupancy of a mobile home or recreational vehicle during the permitted construction of a dwelling or following a casualty event.
• Underground Utility Waiver
  A petition to evaluate special circumstances that may warrant an exception to the requirement for the underground installation of utilities.