Departments » Community Development » Building Division
Building FAQs
Expand/Contract Questions and Answers
Yes, we provide complete permitting services online. Please visit the following link for instructions on submitting for permits: https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/community-development-and-transportation/building-inspection-code-enforcement/permit-submittal.
- Design for commercial and multifamily projects shall be performed by an appropriately licensed architect or engineer.
You cannot live in, sleep in, or rent your garage as a dwelling unit. A garage is non-habitable and does not meet the minimum code requirements to be considered a sleeping room. If you are interested in converting your garage into a dwelling unit, please see our ADU requirements.
- Construction for commercial and multifamily projects shall be performed by an appropriately California licensed contractor as required by the California Business and Professions Code.
- Contractors shall stand their inspections by having a qualified employee at the site with plans, permit, and job card ready for the inspector. If an inspection is not ready, or plans and permit card are not present, contractors are subject to additional inspection fees, in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. Lost or damaged plans or permit card shall be subject to duplicate copy fees, in an amount established by resolution of the City Council, and actual costs for new plans or a permit card. If work is being performed as owner/builder, the property owner shall stand the inspection with plans, permit, and job card ready for the inspector.
- All Municipal Codes are available on the Redwood City Municode website. The 2019 California Codes are available online and at the Building Department counter upon request.
- Property permit history is kept on site at the Building Department in the form of microfiche and digital records. Microfiche and digital records are open to the public for review, and is available during normal Building Counter hours.
- Preconstruction meetings will be scheduled by the permit technician assigned to your project. If a preconstruction meeting has not been scheduled for you, please call the Building Department at (650.780.7350).
- Plan review status is available here, or by calling the Building Department at 650.780.7350.
- Through an approved debris management company. A minimum of 65% of all construction debris must be recycled and documentation of that recycling must be provided to the Building Department within 3 months (90 days) of the permit's approved final inspection.
- Building permits are issued upon approval of project plans and documents. To begin this plan review process, an application for the permit must be submitted to the Building Department and plan review fees must be paid. Current review times can range from 6-24 weeks, depending on the project scope.
- Dumpsters, PODs, and other similar items may not be place on the street at any time. Unless an item is on wheels or otherwise moveable, it must be stored on site (driveway, yard, etc.)
- A permit must be obtained to legalize any work completed without permits. Plans must be made for all work and submitted for review and approval. Once the permit is issued, the work will be fully inspected to verify code compliance. Inspectors may require demolition of finishes and wall coverings to ensure the work matches the approved plans and complies with current code requirements.
- Please call the Code Enforcement complaint phone at (650.780.7577) and leave a message with the nature of the issue, the address of the property in question, and your contact information. You can also log onto MyRWC by logging onto the city Website
- One-Stop appointments may be scheduled by calling the Building Department at (650.780.7350) or emailing permits@redwoodcity.org.
- RVs can be parked on private property as long as they are registered as "operable."
The City Code limits the number of animals any household may house or keep in the City.
Dogs and Cats:
You many keep: up to two (2) dogs; or, one (1) dog and up to three (3) cats; or, two (2) dogs and up to two (2) cats; or, up to four (4) cats at any property.
Fowl and Rabbits:
You may keep up to three (3) live fowl (chickens, roosters less than four (4) months old, geese, ducks, turkeys or similar fowl); or up to three (3) rabbits; or a combination of up to three (3) fowl or rabbits at any property.Other Animals:
No stallion, swine, bull, ram, goat, monkey, reptile, or other animals not typically domesticated may be kept at any property.
There is no specific limit on the number of cars permitted, however all cars must be parked in legal paved parking spaces and must be currently registered. If the vehicles are operable (currently registered with tags affixed, and able to legally operate on a California highway); they can be parked on the public street, in a private driveway or garage, or in the backyard. They cannot be parked in the front yard where you would normally find landscaping (such as a lawn area).
- The City of Redwood City does not regulate the number of people that may live in a house. California case law has established that cities and counties may not say what constitutes a family. Therefore, as long as there are no Health and Safety violations, the City does not limit how many people may live in a home.
- If there is not room for a construction debris dumpster on site, consider using a dump-truck or some other mobile means of removing debris from the project site.
I'm doing a bathroom remodel and replacing my bathtub with a shower. What are the requirements for a new shower?
Please see our handout for bathroom remodels, which includes specifications for shower dimensions and finishes.- Depending on the scope of work, fire sprinklers may be required for your addition and remodel. Please see the 50% Rule Policy for more information regarding fire sprinkler requirements.
- Construction shall begin no earlier than 7 AM and be complete by 8 PM, Monday through Friday. It is prohibited for contractors to work Saturday, Sunday, or City-observed holidays unless they submit a request 30 calendar days before the commencement of construction and receive written approval from the Building Official or their designee. Resident complaints may result in denying requests to work on Saturdays, Sundays, or City-observed holidays. After hours, work may be performed for emergencies. Only residential property owners may work weekends and holidays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Overgrown weeds, inoperable vehicles, construction work without permits, blight on private property, inoperable vehicles on private property.
- If a permit was issued within the current code cycle, and there are no complaints or issues with the project, the permit may be eligible for a one-time extension of 365 days for a fee in the amount of the current minimum permit fee.
- A copy of the front of the permit card shall be posted on the site in a weather proof sleeve. The permit shall be visible from the street in public view.
- Please see the EV charging station installation checklist (here) for information regarding our expedited EV charger policy.
- Solar permit plans should contain, at a minimum, the following items: Site plan to show location of the solar array / Roof plan / Electrical line diagram / Load calculations / Manufacturer's specifications for all proposed items (solar modules, inverter(s), mounting system).
- An RFI is a Request for Information. All requests for information are considered revisions, which must be submitted to the Building Division for review and approval. RFIs are subject to additional plan review fees, in an amount established by resolution of the City Council.
- Scheduling a One-Stop appointment is the fastest way to obtain a permit to install solar panels.
- For residential windows, the maximum prescriptive U-factor is 0.32, and the maximum prescriptive SHGC is 0.23.
- Permit records vary from property to property. Depending on the age of the property, the records may include original permit applications, plans, and associated documents for the original building.
- You will receive a $100 citation for the first day, $200 for the second day, and $500 for the third and each subsequent day that it is parked there.
- A permit is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance. Every passed field inspection extends the permit for an additional 365 days from the date of inspection.
- A building permit is required for all work not specified in CBC 105.2. This includes typical residential items such as fences 7' tall and under, painting, flooring, and similar finish work, etc. Please review the entirety of CBC 105.2 for all work exempt from permits.
- Contact Redwood City Code Enforcement (650) 780-7577 to report multi-unit apartment complex smoking ban violations, or for more information, go here.
- Contact Redwood City Code Enforcement at (650) 780-7577.
- Contact the Redwood City Police Department at (650) 780-7100 to report abandoned vehicles.
- Contact Redwood City Code Enforcement at (650) 780-7577 to report illegal construction or construction outside of normal construction hours. For after-hours complaints, contact the Redwood City Police Department at (650) 780-7100.
- A building permit belongs to the property owner. The contractor acts as an agent of the owner and shall give the original permit card to the owner.