Permits

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Permits are issued to ensure that construction plans meet local, state, and federal standards and that the work is inspected accordingly. This process helps protect the health, safety, and well-being of the community while also safeguarding your investment and project.

Due to a high volume of permit applications and staff resources, the time frame for plan review is currently longer than normal. We appreciate your patience as we seek additional support. The current average plan review time frames are 20-30 business days for the initial plan review and 10-20 business days for each subsequent review.

   

How To Apply For A Building Permit
Applying for a permit can be done in person or virtually via email.
  1. Download and fill out the appropriate application for your project. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, contact us.
     
  2. Email the application, drawings, and documents to the permitcenter@cupertino.gov. To prevent any delay during the submittal process, please follow our electronic submittal process(PDF, 277KB) prior to your submittal.

  3. Payment and Issuance 

    • Staff will send you a link to pay for permit or other fees.
    • If your project is ready to be issued, we will issue the permit shortly after payment.
    • Plan review fees are due prior to the plan review process.

  4.  Plan Review (if required)
    • If your permit requires plan review, staff will send you a link to start the review process.

 

Electronic Submittal Process

For a successful electronic plan submittal, please follow these format requirements. An electronic plan review will not begin until the submittal meets these requirements.

Submittal Requirements

Email us your submittal packet in a link via Dropbox, using Direct Download method. The project drawings and supporting documents as follows:

  • Place all files on the root folder; do not use sub-folders.
  • Only files for the current submittal are to be provided.
Format

Follow the formatting requirements outlined below.

1. PDF - Digital plans and documents must be PDF.

  • Drawing Files: Each sheet/page of the drawing shall be uploaded as a separate file and in landscape view. Drawing files will be rejected if uploaded as a multi-page document or incorrect orientation.
  • Supporting Document Files: All files required as part of the application submission, other than drawing files, e.g., Soil Reports, Structural Calculations, Energy Calculations, Calgreen Checklist, and Special Inspection Form, shall be uploaded individual multipage documents.

2. File Naming Conventions - All PDF plan sheet files should be named according to how they are listed in the Drawing Index provided on the Title/Cover Sheet of the plan set. All drawing files must be named as follow: Sheet Number Sheet Title.

Sheet Sheet Title/Name ProjectDox File Name
C1.0 Site Plan C1.0 Site Plan
A1.0 Floor Plan A1.0 Floor Plan
A2.0 Roof Plan A2.0 Roof Plan

Important: Please limit the number of characters in the file name to 25 characters or less – abbreviations are acceptable. Do not include “‐“(dashes) or special characters in the file name.

3. Unsecured setting - Choose “unsecured” on your security settings so that plan reviewers may mark up the documents or create notes.

Planning: planning@cupertino.gov or 408.777.3308
Building: permitcenter@cupertino.gov or 408.777.3228

Thank you for your help in reducing our environmental impact and improving customer service!

Questions about your permit application, or submission requirements?

We have staff available are to help answer your questions via email, phone, or in person. Appointments are not necessary, and walk-ins are always welcome.