To maintain service quality during temporary staffing shortage, effective November 4, 2024, the Community Development Department will have new walk-in counter hours as follows.

  • Monday through Thursday:
    • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday: By appointment only

To schedule an appointment, call 650-738-7341 or email PlanningDivision@pacifica.gov.

The Building Division of the Pacifica Community Development 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.

 

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).

  • Update on Reach Code Enforcement
    • Due to recent legal developments, the City of Pacifica has temporarily paused enforcement of portions of its Reach Code that require new buildings to be all-electric.
  • 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 FAQs

  • 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

 

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

*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.