Who Can Sign For a Permit?

Signing for a Permit

Once the City deems a permit is ready for issuance, the party who signs for the permit (or "pulls the permit") is responsible for all activities conducted under that permit. In many cases, a property owner or business owner cannot legally pull a permit.   

A planning permit can list any person as the applicant - a property owner, architect, contractor, etc. However, all permit applications require property owner signature. Since a planning permit does not authorize construction activity, a planning permit can be approved and issued to the property owner or applicant.

A public works permit can list any person as the applicant - a property owner, architect, contractor, etc. However, an excavation permit must be signed by (issued to) a California Licensed Contractor meeting minimum City insurance requirements. 

A building or fire permit can list any person as the applicant - a property owner, architect, contractor, etc. All building permits must be signed by a California Licensed Contractor, except for permits related to single-family home and duplex properties whereby an owner can elect to sign as an owner-builder.

If the permit is to be signed by someone other than the licensed contractor (the actual licensee listed on the contractor’s license by the State) or the property owner (as listed by the Santa Clara County Tax Assessor), then review the Necessary Paperwork below.

Contractors Authorized for Certain Permits

The State has different Contractor Licensing categories for different types of construction. For example, there are: General Building Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Plumbing Contractors, Re-roofing Contractors, and many others. By State law, these different types of contractors are limited as to the types of permits they can sign for and conduct work under. For example, a Plumbing Contractor cannot sign for an electrical permit, and an Electrician cannot sign for a plumbing permit. To verify the status or type of license of a Contractor, visit the Contractor State License Board (CSLB) website.

Necessary Paperwork

For Contractors

As a California licensed contractor, you will need the following paperwork in order to pull a permit:

• Your State Contractor’s License, generally the wallet card issued by the Contractors State License Board or other documentation that you are the licensee.
• Your Workers’ Compensation Insurance Certificate. If you have any employees, then you are required by State law to show proof of coverage at the time of permit issuance.
• A current City of Mountain View Business License. City staff will confirm the status of your business license in our system, so you don’t need to have your paperwork unless you paid for it within the last 3 business days. To submit for a City business license, visit our Business License application online.  

For Property Owners

As the property owner, you will need to complete the Owner Acknowledgement and Information Verification Form and provide proof of identification, such as a Driver’s License. If you have recently acquired the property and the County Tax Assessor does not yet list you as the owner, then you will need to show evidence that you are the actual owner.

In some cases the real estate transaction papers will confirm the ownership status. Other cases may require contacting a title company to confirm the ownership status. If you are not the property owner, then you will need to have a notarized "authorized agent form" which lists you as being authorized to pull the permit on behalf of the property owner. We recommend that you read the notes from the California State License Board about the risks of becoming the Owner/Builder of your project.

For Other Parties

• If you are a third-party permit service, then you will need a current City Business License and a notarized authorized agent form - contractor.
• If you are not the property owner, then you will need to have a notarized authorized agent form which lists you as being authorized to pull the permit on behalf of the property owner.

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