Marin County, California Building Permit Guide

Building permits for unincorporated Marin are issued by the Community Development Agency’s Building and Safety Division, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 308, San Rafael CA 94903, phone 415-473-6550, open Mon-Thu 8:00 am-4:00 pm and Fri 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Addresses inside an incorporated city go to that city instead. Communities served by the County include Black Point, Bolinas, Dillon Beach, Forest Knolls, Ignacio, Inverness, Kentfield, Lagunitas, Lucas Valley, Marin City, Marinwood, Nicasio, Paradise Cay, San Quentin, St. Vincent’s, Strawberry, Tamalpais Valley, Tocaloma and Woodacre; the County has an online property jurisdiction lookup.

This guide covers unincorporated Marin. The County’s base-fee tables could not be checked, so no fee figures are given; the City of San Rafael’s contacts are below.

What requires a building permit in Marin County?

The County sorts permits by how much review they need:

• Maintenance permits: like-for-like electrical, plumbing, mechanical, re-roof, siding and same-size window work, issued online without plans up front.
• Minor improvement permits: rooftop solar, energy storage, backup generators and non-structural kitchen and bath remodels up to 400 sq ft, also issued online without plans up front.
• Plan review projects: additions, ADUs, decks and pools, for example, take 6-8 weeks.

Work on County roads needs an encroachment permit from the Department of Public Works Land Development Division under Marin County Code §13.12.

California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments

Who handles permitting in Marin County?

Inspection holds can be placed by the fire department, Building & Safety, Public Works, Planning, the school district or a sanitation or water district.

Septic systems and wells in Marin County

Environmental Health Services oversees percolation testing, permits new and replacement septic systems, and issues permits for new wells and borings. On septic-served properties, maintenance and minor improvement permits can use the Voluntary Septic System Zero Impact Certification Form, and repairs or replacements of existing permitted decks, pools, spas, foundations or retaining walls can use a self-certification form instead of EHS review.

Marin is rewriting its septic rules (Local Agency Management Program), with adoption targeted to the end of 2026; until then the program runs as a Tier 2 local agency under county code last amended in 2011. A new well must be at least 50 feet from any sewer and 100 feet from a watertight septic tank or leaching field, and a well used for drinking water also needs a permit to operate as a domestic water supply.

Marin County permit costs and fees

Every Marin County permit starts with a base fee. The total can add state taxes, Community Development Agency fees (technology, affordable housing), and Building & Safety, Planning, Public Works, Environmental Health Services and fire department fees. The County takes payment only through ProjectDox notifications, website prompts, Permit Fee Payment forms or personal check, never by wire, Zelle, Venmo or PayPal.

A County road encroachment permit has a $65.00 non-refundable application fee plus inspection fees, and needs liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate naming the County.

How to get a building permit in Marin County

A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the Marin County Building and Safety Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Inspections in Marin County

Inspections are booked on the automated 24-hour request line, 415-473-6560 (or by text to 877-410-7201), or online for permits starting with “B”, using the permit number, address and 3-digit inspection code. The inspector calls or texts between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the inspection day with a 2-hour window.

The system will not book an inspection while permit holds are pending; most projects carry a foundation hold or a close-in (4-R) hold.

Building permits in San Rafael

The City of San Rafael, the county seat, issues city permits through its Building Division, 1400 Fifth Avenue, Top Floor (office (415) 485-3367, inspection line (415) 485-3365). Since February 17, 2026 inspections, and since February 23, 2026 all new applications, go through the city’s OpenGov system.

Official Marin County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Marin County Building and Safety
• How to apply for a building permit
• Schedule an inspection
• Estimate permit costs
• Environmental Health Services
• Public Works encroachment permits
• City of San Rafael Building Division

Frequently asked questions

Does Marin County take paper plans?

No. Since January 1, 2026 every submittal starts with the Part A Application and Submittal Checklist in the online portal.

Why can’t I book my Marin inspection?

The system will not book an inspection while permit holds are pending, for example a foundation or close-in (4-R) hold.

Does a kitchen remodel need plans up front?

A non-structural kitchen or bath remodel up to 400 sq ft is a minor improvement permit, issued online without plans up front.

Simplify Marin County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether the parcel is in the County’s area or inside a city, and which County offices must sign off
• Prepare the application, plans and forms in the format the County portal accepts
• Track plan review, pay fees and book inspections within the County’s cut-off times

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Marin County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.