Permit Center

Most construction requires a building permit to be obtained prior to the start of work. For some smaller items, these may be issued "Over the Counter." All other permits require a plan check, in which Town departments will review your plans for code compliance. All permits are applied for online on the line below. For more detail please read: 

Understanding the Permit Process.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT:

  • All permits are applied for online through the link above (eTrakit). Only digital plans and documents (PDFs) are accepted.
  • The Permit Submittal Checklist is required to be completed and submitted with ALL permit applications that need plan review. 
  • You will need an eTrakit account to apply for a permit. 
    • Home Owners or those acting on behalf of the homeowner can set up a Public account. Input home owner information and applicant information. 
    • Contractors need to have their accounts set up by staff. Email permits@townofsananselmo.org with the following information:
      • Business Name.
      • Business Address
      • Business Email and Phone Number
      • CSLB Number. YOU MUST BE A LICENSED CALIFORNIA CONTRACTOR TO DO WORK IN SAN ANSELMO.
  • Please see the "How To" page for tutorial videos. 

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION:

  • All inspections are scheduled online through the link above (eTrakit). 
  • Inspections are scheduled Monday through Friday. Morning or Afternoon placement may be requested but is not guaranteed. Morning time slots are usually 8:30am - 12pm, and afternoon time slots are usually 12:30pm - 3pm.
  • Please choose AM or PM.  
  • The inspector is available by phone for questions Monday through Friday from 7:30-8:30am, and usually return return voicemails within 1-2 business day(s).
  • Please see the "How To" page for tutorial videos.

About the Permit Process:

Most construction requires a building permit to be obtained prior to the start of work. For some smaller items, these may be issued "Over the Counter." All other permits require a plan check, in which Town department will review your plans for code compliance. All permits are applied for online on the line above. For more detail please read Understanding the Permit Process.

Additional fees may apply for repeated inspections or plans not meeting submittal requirements:

  • Included in permit costs are fees that cover plan checking and inspections. The fees are based on the size and cost of the project and a portion of those fees are allocated to plan checks and inspections. Based on this, permit applications will only get two plan checks per submittal and additional fees will apply for more than two plan checks. Additional inspections due to no shows by the applicant, repeated inspections for poor quality work not meeting code or industry standards will also have additional fees based on the number of additional inspections. 
  • See Plan Submittal Checklist and Understanding the Permit Process links above for plan submittal requirements.
  •  If you are submitting plans for review, a plan check fee must be paid for prior to your application being reviewed. This is the line item “Plan checks with Building,” and sometimes “Fire plan check”  fees ONLY and can only be paid via check. Do NOT drop off total amount due. Please confirm fees with town staff prior to dropping off a check.

New Businesses

San Anselmo provides great opportunities for starting a new business or relocating your business. We want to help you start a business in our Town. 

For additional information and free pre-application meeting scheduling, please see our New Business Guide

Public Works Department

Please read the information below carefully, failure to provide required documentation may result in delays to your permit reviewing process.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT  

  • Effective April 1, 2017, we only accept online permit applications (encroachments, trees, fences, grading, etc.) and digital plan submissions.
  • You will need an eTrakit account to apply for a permit. 
    • Home Owners can set up their own accounts. 
    • Contractors need to have their accounts set up by staff. Email permits@townofsananselmo.orgwith the following information:
      • Business Name.
      • Business Email.
      • CSLB Number. YOU MUST BE A LICENSED CALIFORNIA CONTRACTOR TO DO WORK IN SAN ANSELMO.
  • All required forms and plans must be attached during the online application process.
  • Visit the Public Works Department page for additional information and forms.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION

  • Effective December 4, 2017, we will only be accepting inspection requests online.

Encroachment Permits*:

  • Any work in the public Right of Way (ROW) be it roads or sidewalks, requires a permit. That includes blocking traffic lanes, putting debris boxes on the street, etc. 
  • All encroachment permits in the Right of Way(ROW) require a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) to be attached during the online application process. 
  • A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is a document that shows temporary signs, cones, and flaggers to safely direct traffic around your work zone.  ’Traffic’ includes vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and mobility devices such as wheelchairs. 
  • *If there is a street cut - road bond refunds require before and after inspections as well as compaction test results for most pavement restoration jobs. Failure to request an inspection or to provide compaction test results may lead to delays in the refund process of the road bond.
  • Restoration Requirements for Street Cuts

Motion Picture/Photography Permits:

Tree Work Permits:

  • All current tree work notices can be found in this section.
  • Planting a tree in, upon, or along any public street, sidewalk, or walkway.
  • Cutting a heritage or a street tree down or trimming more than 25%. 
  • All tree work permits require a licensed arborist report supplemented with photos of the tree.
  • Tree Application Supplemental Questionnaire (required with all tree work permits)

Fence Permits:

  • All fence permits require a site plan and a side-view diagram of the fence.  
  • Refer to this diagram to comply with line of sight fence height requirements near driveways. 

Other Forms and Information: