If you are planning any kind of construction, renovation, addition, deck, fence, roof replacement, pool, solar installation, or other building work in unincorporated Santa Clara County, California (including areas near San Martin, parts of Stanford, and other county territories outside city limits), you will need a building permit from the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development – Building Section.
Many homeowners and contractors search for clear answers about how to apply for a building permit in Santa Clara County, what the fees are in 2026, and how to use the Public Permit Portal (Accela) for faster applications, payments, status checks, and inspection scheduling.
This guide explains the entire process in simple language so you can understand what to do, what to expect, and how to avoid common problems that slow things down.
Whether you are a homeowner doing your own work or a contractor handling a larger job, the steps are the same and the goal is to get your permit approved smoothly and on time.
Santa Clara County Building Department Contact Information 2026
- Address: 70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, 7th Floor, San José, CA 95110
- Phone: (408) 299-5700
- Fax: (408) 289-9198
- Email: e-permits@pln.sccgov.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Permit Center counter hours; Saturday closed)
Official Page: Santa Clara County Building Section
Santa Clara County Building Permit Search 2026
Official Portal: Santa Clara County Public Permit Portal (Accela)
- Go to the Public Permit Portal.
- Search by property address or permit number.
- View the current status, approved plans, fees paid, and inspection history.
How to Apply for Santa Clara County Building Permits 2026
Here is the clear step-by-step process that most people follow to get their permit approved as smoothly as possible.
- Go to the Public Permit Portal and create or log into your account.
- Complete the Development Services Intake Form and prepare all required documents.
- Submit plans (to scale, 18″ x 24″ to 24″ x 36″) and supporting files through the portal following digital submittal requirements and naming conventions (files ≤ 100 MB, separated by discipline).
- Pay plan check and planning fees at the time of application (other fees paid when permit is issued).
- Check your account regularly and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or corrections during review.
- Once approved, pay remaining fees and display the permit at the job site before starting work.
- Schedule inspections through the portal.
Santa Clara County Building Permit Fees 2026
- Official Fee Schedule (FY 2025-2026 and Proposed FY 2026-2027): Download the Building Fee Schedule and Building Fee Valuation Table from the Department of Planning and Development website.
- Fees are calculated based on project size, type, and valuation; plan check and planning fees are due at application.
- Online payments accepted via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) or eCheck (no fee for eCheck); minimum transaction fee applies for small card payments.
- Separate fees apply for mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and other trade permits.
- Additional charges include information technology fees (3%) and other county surcharges.
- Work started without a permit can result in doubled fees plus possible fines or a Stop Work Order.
Required Documents Checklist
- Completed Development Services Intake Form and online application
- Detailed construction drawings and specifications (to scale)
- Site plan showing existing structures and proposed work
- Proof of contractor license and insurance
- Owner-Builder documents if applicable
- Any required trade permit applications or supporting calculations
How to Schedule Inspections in Santa Clara County
Schedule inspections through the Public Permit Portal. Plan check and planning fees must be paid at application; other fees are due when the permit is issued. Have your approved plans and the permit ready when the inspector arrives. Re-inspection fees may apply for failed or missed inspections.
Contractor Registration & Owner-Builder
Contractors must be properly licensed. Homeowners can apply as owner-builders but must take full responsibility for code compliance and job safety. The Building Section enforces the California Building Code with Santa Clara County amendments.
Local Insider Tips That Really Help
- Use the Public Permit Portal (Accela) for online applications, fee payments, status checks, and inspection scheduling — it is the one-stop shop for most services.
- Follow the digital submittal requirements and naming conventions exactly to avoid rejection or delays (files ≤ 100 MB).
- Pay plan check and planning fees at the time of application for faster review.
- Call (408) 299-5700 during business hours for questions or status checks.
- Review the current Building Fee Schedule and Valuation Table before submitting to budget accurately, including information technology fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for existing building permits in Santa Clara County?
Use the Public Permit Portal by property address or permit number.
How to apply for a Santa Clara County building permit?
Submit plans and documents through the Public Permit Portal following digital submittal requirements. Pay plan check and planning fees at application.
What are the Santa Clara County building permit fees in 2026?
Fees are based on project size, type, and valuation. Download the Building Fee Schedule and Valuation Table (FY 2025-2026 and proposed FY 2026-2027) from the Department website. Plan check and planning fees are due at application.
Can I pull my own permit as an owner-builder in Santa Clara County?
Yes. You can apply as an owner-builder, but you must take full responsibility for code compliance and job safety.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Santa Clara County?
Processing time depends on the completeness of your submission. Simple projects can move faster with complete online submittals.
Official Resources
- Santa Clara County Public Permit Portal (Accela)
- Building Section Homepage
- Fees & Schedules (including FY 2025-2026 and Proposed FY 2026-2027)
- Apply for a Building Permit
- Permit Center & Digital Submittal Requirements
Updated April 2026 using only official Santa Clara County sources. Use the Public Permit Portal for faster submission and real-time tracking.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.