Building Inspection

You can check their license information on the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website. 

CSLB Web Site

Once it has been verified that there are no inspection records available for the work in question, the code compliance process can be initiated by the applicant. The process consists of:

1. Following the instructions in this handout.

2. Securing the required outside inspections, plans, and letters.

3. Submitting the required documents with a completed permit application to the Building Inspection Division.

4. Building division review, approval and permit issuance.

5. Scheduling of inspection by applicant.

6. Job card final; upon completing required field inspections the job card is signed off and the City's records are updated showing compliance.

That depends on the scope of work being reviewed and legalized, also how quickly you can secure the necessary outside inspections, plans, and letters.

Once the required outside documentation has been submitted and approved, the Building Inspection Division can process your application in a few days.

Permits and plan checks are valid for 180 days per the California Building Code.  Each time you call for a valid inspection, it automatically extends the life of your permit another 180 days.

Yes, but to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion, the Building Inspection Division recommends that you contact a City inspector to discuss your specific situation. We are located at 500 Castro Street on the first floor in City Hall and can be reached at (650) 903-6313. Our counter hours are Monday—Friday from 8:00 am—4:00 pm. Our phone hours are 8:00 am—5:00 pm daily.  You can also check our Work Exempt From Permit section of the Building Division website.

You will need to contact the Building Division at (650) 903-6313.  Permits are valid for 180 days.  If you happen to let your permit lapse you can apply for a new permit to be issued.  The new permit description will state that it has been issued to final out the expired permit. You may have to provide new plans for this request as all of the original plans have been stamp EXPIRED and digitally imaged as permanent documentation for that site.

Permit fees for a lapse in excess of 180 days will be equal to half of the original fees paid. 

Permit fees for a lapse in excess of 360 days will be equal to original fees paid.

There is a Code Compliance Process for that exact situation. 

If the work completed has added square footage to a building you would need to contact the Planning Division at (650) 903-6306.  Planning will determine whether or not the addition can legally remain.

Please look at our process on our web site Code Compliance Process and then contact the Building Division at (650) 903-6313 for any questions that you may have.

A licensed engineer or architect must investigate the work and provide the Building Inspection Division with the following:

1. Three sets of plans covering the scope of work under investigation. Each set must include a site plan, title block with the building construction type, occupancy, address, and a complete floor plan with the area of work under investigation clouded. Two sets of structural calculations and Title 24 Energy Calculations when applicable.  Two sets of plans and required calculations must be wet-signed by the engineer or architect responsible for their preparation.

2. A letter of investigation certifying that the work is in compliance with all the current codes being enforced by the City of Mountain View. This letter shall be on the architect's or engineer's letterhead and include the date of inspection and shall be wet stamped and signed. The letter shall be directed to the City of Mountain View, Building Inspection Division.

3. Approvals from other City Departments, if required. The Building Inspection counter person can direct you to the proper departments for questions regarding additional approvals.

A licensed contractor must investigate the work and provide the Building Inspection Division with the following (the original contractor cannot handle this process):

1. Three complete sets of plans which detail the scope of work. These plans shall include the job address and the current contractor's name, license number and address. Two sets must be be wet-signed by the party that prepared them. Plans will not be required for the following types of installations:

• Water heaters
• Reroofing
• Furnaces
• Dishwashers/Disposals
• Plumbing fixture installations
• Less than 5 electrical outlets

2. A contractor's letter of investigation certifying that the work is in compliance with the current codes being enforced by the City of Mountain View. This letter cannot be completed by the original contractor who did the work. The letter shall be on the contractor's letterhead and include the date of inspection, contractor's license number and contractor's signature. The letter shall be directed to the City of Mountain View, Building Inspection Division. The items listed above which do not require plans are only required to submit a letter of investigation.

3. Two copies of Title 24 Energy Calculations are required for additions of habitable space, both sets must be wet-signed by document author.

4. Approvals from other City Departments, if needed. The Building Inspection counter person can direct you to the proper departments to have your questions answered regarding additional approvals. Note: Residential construction involving significant structural changes may require verification by a licensed architect or engineer.

When there are no authorized records available to verify that the scope of work in question has either been permitted or inspected. Authorized records can consist of:

• The owner's properly signed off job card
• The owner's copy of the building permit issued by the City
• Copies of the Building Inspection Division's records or microfiche verifying that the proper permits were issued and the required inspections were performed.

The attached PDF form is the application for all Building and Fire permits.

The 2013 CBC, Section 1.8.4, requires a permit and proper inspections for any construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, erection, demolition, or repair of any building or structure regulated by the code.