The Building Division of the Pacifica Planning Department reviews and issues permits for construction and demolition. To find out if you need a permit or for additional information, please call (650) 738-7341 or contact us via email at permittech@pacifica.gov.

• 2019 Building Inspection Hotline Notice (Inspection Hotline voicemail number 650-737-1000)

• 4-30-24 Inspections Inspections cannot be requested more than one week out.

Building Codes

As of January 1, 2023 the building code will be changing to the 2022 versions of the California codes, including but not limited to: Residential Code, Building Code, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, as well as CalGreen. For more information, please contact the Building Department at 650-738-7344 (voicemail line).

• Green Building in Pacifica
  • On January 1, 2023, the 2022 California Building Code including Green Building Standards Code (GBSC) and local amendments took effect. You can find the local amendments to the GBSC in Pacifica Municipal Code (PMC) Title 8, Chapter 7.

Building Permits and Protected and Heritage Trees

Tree encroachment, protection and preservation plans are required when engaging in new construction within fifty (50') feet of a protected tree or heritage tree. The plan must be prepared by a qualified arborist, horticulturist, landscape architect or other qualified person. See sections 4-12.06, 4-12.08 and 4-12.11 of the Pacifica Municipal Code for specific rules regarding tree protection and preservation  plans and building permits. To measure: Diameter at breast height, or DBH, is the standard for measuring trees. DBH refers to the tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. Tree Ordinance page

Building Review Process

1st review takes about 3-4 weeks. If there are comments from any of the departments, they will be released to the applicant when all reviewers have completed the review.

Resubmittal reviews take about 2-3 weeks each.

Solar review of 34kw or less system takes 3 days.

When the project is approved by all departments, the project will be in the processing stage, which can take up to a week from when the last reviewer completed the review. This process consists of collating all the submitted files to create an approved set of plans and docs, stamping the files, and calculating the final fees.

Applicants will be notified of the next steps after the processing stage through their permit account.

Check your spam/junk folder for the notifications from the online permit system "donotreply@csgengr.com".

If adding a bedroom, the Park Facilities fee may apply.

If adding 500 square feet or more you may need to pay fees to the Jefferson Union High School District.

Apply for a Building Permit / Revision online (or check current building permit applications)

Building Permitting Tools

• Online Permit Portal Submittal Procedures
• Do I need a Building Permit?
• When is a Licensed Professional required?
• When is a Building permit not required (2022 CRC code section and additional City notes)
• Deck Requirements
• Construction, Deconstruction & Demolition Information Guide
• Construction and Demolition Debris Waste Management Plan (CWMP)
• Construction Hours of Operation Municipal Code (choose Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 8-1.05)
• Courtesy Notice-PG & E Lead Times
• EV Charging Checklist for Permitting
• Managing PCBs in Building Demolition Data Collection Summary
• 2018 BASMAA PCBs Demolition Program Applicant Package
• Building Demolition PCBs Screening Assessment Form
• Smoke detector-carbon monoxide form
• Special inspection form
• Pools, Hot Tubs, and Drinking fountains BMPs

Second Units

Interested in building a second unit (Accessory Dwelling Unit)? Through a partnership with 21 Elements and Home for All, a second unit resource center has been created with a very helpful step-by-step workbook for homeowners. These workbook takes homeowners from vision to permitting to what to know when becoming a landlord for the first time.

Additional Building Resources

• Hours of Construction
• Commercial Building Permits and Business Licensing - Disability Access Requirements and Resources
• Important information about landslide preparedness
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• PG&E Rebate and Energy Saving Programs
• USEPA Water Sense
• Construction Stormwater BMP's
• San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program Website
• Flood Insurance Maps/Information
• Seismic Retrofit Standard (Plan Set A)*
• Solar Assessment Tools - CA Energy Commission

*Note: Plan Set A can be used by homeowners in obtaining quotes for retrofitting, by contractors when obtaining building permits, and by cities and counties as a basis for a minimum prescriptive retrofit standard. This standard applies to wood-framed residential structures not more than two stories in height and containing not more than two dwelling units, on relatively flat sites, and with cripple walls 4 feet in height or less.

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