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ALERT!

TO ALLOW FOR CITY-WIDE MEETING, PERMIT CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 BETWEEN 8:45A.M. TO 10:15A.M.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Update to the all-electric construction requirements in new buildings.

The adverse health and environmental impacts of natural gas in homes and other buildings continues to be a concern for the City. However, due to the recent Ninth Circuit’s decision, the Cupertino City Attorney and City Manager’s office have directed the Building Division to suspend the enforcement of Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 16.32 which required all-electric construction in new buildings. City staff will work to promptly bring an ordinance to the City Council for consideration that advances the City’s adopted policy of pursuing building electrification. More information on the 2022 Council-adopted Ordinance can be found here.

The City of Cupertino has adopted the 2022 California Code of Regulations, Title 24 with certain amendments. These codes and amendments are effective on January 1, 2023. All projects submitted after January 1, 2023, must comply with the 2022 California Codes of Regulations and the City of Cupertino amendments. All projects under the 2019 California Codes of Regulations and amendments must be submitted prior to December 22, 2022.

The Building Division safeguards the health, safety and welfare of residents, workers and visitors to Cupertino by effective administration and enforcement of building codes and ordinances adopted by the City, and by providing field inspections, plan checking and public information services related to new construction.

In-Person Counter Hours

M: 7:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:00
T: 9:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00
W: 7:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:00
Th: 9:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00

Virtual Counter Hours
F: 7:30-12:00 & 1:00-3:00

Building Division over-the-counter plan reviews are available between 10am-12pm Monday through Thursday.

Fire Department virtual over-the-counter plan reviews are available between 11am-12pm Tuesday and Thursday.

Due to a high volume of permit applications and staff resources, the time frame for plan review is currently longer than normal. We appreciate your patience as we seek additional support. The current average plan review time frames are 20-30 business days for the initial plan review and 10-20 business days for each subsequent review.

Telephone/Online Inquiries: To reduce exposure to yourself, staff, and others, telephonic or online assistance is available. Please call 408.777.3228 or email permitcenter@cupertino.org.

Field Inspections: Field Inspection can be scheduled online. For technical help, call 408-777-3228 or email us at permitcenter@cupertino.org. If you have any questions regarding inspections, please contact buildinginspectors@cupertino.org.

Online Permitting: The Building Division currently offers the following online permits to licensed contractors for minor residential projects: Electrical Panel Upgrade, Furnace Replacement, Siding Replacement, Water Heater Replacement, Whole House Re-Pipe, Re-Roof, Temp Power Pole, Electric Charging Station, and Solar Permit with SolarApp+. For Owner-Builders, please email your permit application to permitcenter@cupertino.org.

For all other permit application submittals, please complete an application and email to permitcenter@cupertino.org for processing. The permit center team will process and assist you through the electronic process for fee payment and plan/document uploads.

To streamline the permit process, please create an account for the online permitting portal at: https://aca.accela.com/CUPERTINO/Default.aspx

To assist with setting up this account, please use the manual provided at the following link: https://www.cupertino.org/home/showdocument?id=26126

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Building Division staff at permitcenter@cupertino.org or 408-777-3228.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation and understanding during this time as we continue our efforts to protect members of the public and city staff and to allow the City to provide services without extended interruptions.

Contact Us

Phone: 408-777-3228

For permit applications and inquiries: permitcenter @cupertino.org

For inspection inquiries: buildinginspectors@cupertino.org

FAQs

How do I view building permit records?
For permits information, please visit either of the following webpages.
1. Laserfiche
  
  Research online public records.
  
  To browse building permits, navigate to Public Records > Building Department > Building Permits, then select the folder with the correct street name, and then select the street address number.
  
  To search building permits, select Template search, select the building template, and search by the fields in the template.
2. buildingeye
Explore a map of Cupertino showing the location, status and details of Building and Planning Permits. Set up notifications for new permits in specific areas.

To review plans and supporting documents, you will need to complete and submit a Request for Research form. The City of Cupertino will complete the research within (10) business days from the date of the submitted request.
Do I need a soil report if I want to build an addition to my house?
The following examples of work may not require a soil Investigation report:
1. Residential Additions/Remodels: One-story additions 750 s.f. or less on level, undisturbed grade to an existing single family dwelling or a second-story additions 750 s.f. or less to an existing single family dwelling with engineering design, and non-structural remodels.
2. Detached Residential Accessory Structures: Detached residential accessory structures, such as garages, carports, recreation rooms, storerooms, workshops, stables, barns, playhouses, patio structures, gazebos, trellis, equipment sheds, animal enclosures and similar structures not exceeding 750 square feet in area.
3. Non-Habitable Accessory Structures: Miscellaneous structures such as free standing fences not exceeding 8 feet in height, decks no greater than 4 feet above grade at any point, retaining walls which retain no more than 5 feet level surcharge, photovoltaic systems, barbeques and other similar structures.
For additional information, you can download our Modification Requests for Foundation and Soils Investigations form.
What can I build without a permit?
Permits are not required for the following when related to single family homes which do not encroach over a subsurface drain system, public utility easement, or into required setbacks from property lines:

Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and not attached to the house. Any electrical work done will still require an electrical permit. Please contact the Planning Department for any questions on property setbacks at (408) 777-3308.
2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
5. Sidewalks and driveways.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
8. Swings and other playground equipment.
9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
10. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4. Please contact the Planning Department for any questions on property setbacks at (408) 777-3308.
Electrical:
1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles (but not the outlets).
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
Gas:
1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Plumbing:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

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