New Construction

Permits are required to construct a new single-family home or duplex.

1. Provide one (1) set of plans, which shall include onsite and offsite improvements (in one PDF file, see requirements).
2. If applicable, include Findings Report in plan set with response to each condition.
3. Complete the Mountain View Green Building Code Worksheet and incorporate into plan set.
4. Project manual and specifications
5. Structural calculations
6. Energy calculations, which shall be included in plan set
7. Survey required. Structures within 6’ of a property line or required setback shall provide a site survey certificate and obtain approval from the City prior concrete pour. Present wet-signed certificate to field inspector for verification
8. Per the Mountain View City Code SEC. 8.51(C) a minimum of 200 amps electrical service panel (or service disconnect) is required for a single-family home and 125 amps panel is required for each duplex unit.
9. Title Report or Grant Deed showing current property ownership
10. Change of Address Request Form, if requesting a change in address.

Permits Required

The following permits are required to construct a new home or duplex:

• building permit
• electrical permit
• mechanical permit
• plumbing permit
• demolition permit
• excavation permit

Additional permits that may be required, depending on the scope of work:

• flood permit, if located in a flood zone
• tree removal permit, if removing a heritage tree or street tree
• planning permit, if located adjacent to a creek on a lot 10,000 square feet or greater in size 

Cost

Permit fees (including inspections):

For New Single-Family Home:

• building permit fees of $9,500 to $12,000, which is based on a construction valuation (cost of labor and materials) of $350,000 to $900,000.
• an excavation permit fee of up to $12,000, depending on the amount of utility improvements and construction in the public right-of-way.

For Duplex Unit:

• building permit fees of $9,500 to $12,000 per unit ($19,000 to $24,000 total), which is based on a construction valuation (cost of labor and materials) per unit of $350,000 to $900,000.
• an excavation permit fee of up to $12,000, depending on the amount of utility improvements and construction in the public right-of-way.

The following fee is not collected or calculated by the City, but may be required for your project:

• School Impact Fees: All new residential square footage (new construction or conversion of existing square footage) greater than 500 square feet will be subject to School Impact Fees, which is due to the School District(s) prior to building permit issuance to start construction. The City requires proof of payment to the School Districts prior to issuing the building permit.

Timeline

Typical Time to Receive Permit: 5 to 8 months

Process

1. City staff encourages you to review your preliminary plans with the Planning Division prior to preparing detailed building plans. A Planner can confirm your project complies with minimum zoning requirements, which can streamline your building permit review. Contact the Planning Division at 650-903-6306 or planning.division@mountainview.gov.  
2. Submit your permit online.
3. After your submission (during prescreen), City staff will contact you with the fee amount owed, based on your project scope, and instructions for online fee payment.
4. City Staff will conduct a Completeness Review of your permit application in 2 weeks to confirm you have provided all necessary information. If you are missing any required information, City staff will provide your comments regarding the missing information. 
5. You will need to reply to City's comments and provide any missing information as part of your resubmittal online.
6. The City has 2 weeks for completeness review to confirm you have submitted all missing or incomplete information. If additional reviews and resubmittals are required due to missing or incomplete information, each additional cycle of completeness review is 2 weeks for the City to provide comments on missing or incomplete information.
7. Once your application is determined to be complete, City staff will begin code Compliance Review of your permit. City staff has the following timelines:
   • 4 weeks to provide comments and corrections on the first compliance review by the City
   • 3 weeks to provide comments and corrections on the second compliance review by the City
   • 2 weeks for any subsequent compliance review thereafter.
8. Additional permits that are required by the City include:
   • A fire sprinkler permit to install a new, or modify an existing, fire sprinkler system in the ADU. This permit can be obtained after you receive your building permit, during the construction of your project
   •  A demolition permit can be submitted at any time during your building permit but you must receive the demolition permit before you start construction or demolition activity.
   •  An excavation permit for any new or upgraded utility connection or for construction work in the public right-of-way. This permit must be obtained in tandem with obtaining your building permit.
9.  Set up your account in the Construction and Demolition Waste Tracking system. If you have questions regarding Construction and Demolition Waste Tracking & Diversion Requirements, please contact Public Works at 650-903-6311 or public.works@mountainview.gov.
10.  Once you have a complete and compliant permit, the city will issue you a building permit. This allows you to start construction of your project.
11. During construction, your contractor can schedule City inspections at each stage of construction.
12.  On-site inspections will be required to be completed by a City Building Inspector, a Fire Protection Inspector (for fire sprinklers) and a Public Works Inspector (for excavation permit). The building permit is finaled and occupancy of the new home is granted upon completion of construction and a final inspection by the City Building Inspector.

Zoning Standards

For Single-Family Homes

For Duplexes

Requirements

Building Plan Sheet Organization

The following information must be included in your building plans in the following order:

• Cover Sheet
• A blank cover sheet (page 0) labeled “City Approvals” 
• Dimensioned Site Plan
• Architectural Plans
• Structural Plans
• Civil Plans
• Electrical Plans
• Mechanical Plans
• Plumbing Plans
• Blueprint for a Clean Bay
• Support Documentation
• Tree Protection Measures
• Landscaping Plans
• Title-24/Energy Calculations
• Findings report from Planning (if applicable)

The cover sheet must include:

• Applicable Codes
• Construction type(s)
• Designer/Architect contact information
• Fire sprinklers status
• Occupancy type(s)
• Project address
• Owner/Tenant contact information
• Detailed written scope of work
• Zoning district of the property (search by address for Zoning)
• Show compliance with Mountain View Green Building Codes
• Deferred submittal for Fire Sprinklers

The architectural plans must include:

• Existing construction
• New construction
• Existing and proposed floor plans
• Proposed roof plan
• Proposed foundation plan
• Details & sections
• Elevations and exterior finishes
• Door and window schedules
• Equipment schedules
• Accessibility upgrades (if applicable)

The site plan shall include:

• All existing buildings, including any accessory structures to remain (e.g. sheds, trellis, etc)
• All building setbacks
• All building square footage on-site of each structure and a cumulative total
• Building square footage calculations, which shall list garage/carport area, each level of living space, and new square footage separately
• Lot coverage calculations
• North Arrow
• Lot size
• Parking areas
• Property lines, bearings and distances, and easements
• Street orientation and site access
• All new utilities proposed
• All existing trees, trees proposed for removal, and proposed new trees