This page is a quick summary of resources a homeowner may want to investigate when considering a project that involves a contractor and a permit in the City of San Mateo
San Mateo Plumbing Services and Project Types
| Water | Sewer | Electrical Conduit | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Leak Repairs (typically no permit) Water Line Replacements and Upgrades Backflows | New Cleanouts Adding new connections to existing sewer line Backwater Valves New connections to the main | Installing new conduit, usually as part of an electrical upgrade | Includes septic systems, sewage pumps, water pumps, storm drains, French drains, foundation waterproof protection, water storage tanks, water wells |
| Permits: Building, Public Works when touching public assets, Utility when touching a private utility property | Permits: Building or no permit | ||
Permits
A permit is an official document issued by local governments and utility providers that grants permission to construct or alter a property. Its primary purpose is to ensure that construction projects comply with local building codes, zoning laws, and safety regulations.
As the property owner, you usually have the option to obtain a permit for projects solely on your private property. While getting a permit may add to the cost and timeline of your project, it also provides peace of mind, knowing that your project has been reviewed by an expert in local building codes.
Anytime your project involves a public or utility-owned asset, you must obtain a permit.
If you hire us to assist with your project, we will file for any necessary permits. Typically, our clients pay the cost of the permit directly to the issuer, but they save on the time and expense of filing, which is part of our service.
There are three types of permits we generally work with.
| Building | Public Works (aka Encroachment Permits) | Utility Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Generally easy to file for and not very expensive for the types of projects we do. They cover projects on private property. | Public Works Permits can be a lengthy and time-consuming task to obtain. We are experienced in filing for these types of permits and recommend you allow us to provide that service to you. | When the City/Town provides the utility service, it is included with a building or public works permit. If the utility is managed separately, the property owner must obtain permission and adhere to the utility’s building codes. |
As a licensed contractor in California with significant experience delivering projects in the local communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, our construction practices and materials comply with the California Building Code (CBC). We encourage our clients to get permits but doing so is not required.
City of San Mateo Links
| City of San Mateo Building Dept The City of San Mateo Building Department encourages self-service for obtaining building permits. They offer extensive resources to guide you through the process. | https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/477/Building |
| City of San Mateo Public Works Dept Use the City of San Mateo’s Public Works page to navigate to other pages to find information on the encroachment permit process. | https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1072/Permit-Application-Center |
| Water Utility Calwater is the water supplier for City of San Mateo residents. San Mateo is in their Bayshore Water District. If your project touches the water or beyond into the street, you need to call Calwater to start the permit process. You do not need to engage Calwater if your project is only on your side of the meter (this would be a building permit). | https://www.calwater.com/district-information/?dist=bay Customer Service, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (650) 558-7800 |
| Sewer Utility The City of San Mateo manages sewer services for its residents. To repair or upgrade a sewer line at the property line cleanout and towards the main, residents must obtain a permit through the Engineering Division of Public Works. The City also offers a Private Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program, which can help offset the cost of sewer lateral repairs, especially for the portion in the public right-of-way. Their program usually funds during the Summer and runs out within a couple of months. Check the link to the program to determine if this is something you can take advantage of. | https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1084/Storm-Sewer Private Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1910/Citywide-Private-Lateral-Cost-Sharing-Pr |
Note that some homes may have a City address but are not serviced by Utilities in the above list. As a homeowner, you likely already know who you pay your water and sewer fees to but if you are not sure, you can check the above links and then check your County for sewer and www.calwater.com for water.