Building

NEW  FOR 2024

NOTICE OF INCREASE IN DEVELOPER FEES IN EFFECT 7/14/2024: On May 14, 2024, the Jefferson Union High School District Board of Trustees approved the increase in the Developer Fees for residential and commercial/industrial development. Check out more information on the Notice of Increase in Developer Fees on the Building Handouts and Forms webpage. 

NEW OUTDOOR LIGHTING REGULATIONS IN EFFECT 3/1/2024: New outdoor lighting, including lamps and fixtures, that is installed on or after March 1, 2024 will have to comply with the City's new outdoor lighting ordinance. By March 1, 2025, existing lighting should be adjusted to comply with some aspects of the new regulations. All existing lighting in commercial districts will have to comply with the ordinance by March 1, 2029, and residential districts will have to comply by March 1, 2034. Check out more information on the Dark Sky Ordinance webpage.

Electronic Building Permit Application Submittal Required

All building permit applications must be filed electronically via the City of Brisbane’s Building Permits webpage.  Note that due to current circumstances plan review times may be longer than normal, and your understanding is appreciated. Issuance of Building Permits are done remotely as well. 

• View your property's permit activity, apply for a building permit, estimate building permit fees, or file a code enforcement complaint online at the GreenVue Permit Center

Inspections

To request an inspection, call the Building division during business hours at (415) 508-2120 or email building@brisbaneca.org. Inspection requests must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the desired inspection date. Inspections for residential and most commercial construction activity are performed in the afternoon Monday-Thursday and morning on Friday.  The City has the capability to perform certain commercial inspections remotely via Face Time or Zoom if arranged in advance.

Related Reference Webpages 

• Brisbane Building Efficiency Program: Identify opportunities to save money and contribute to a more efficient, safe, and comfortable environment by reviewing resources available to help during Program compliance and beyond. Buildings of all sizes can benefit from benchmarking and improvements in resource use. Reporting for benchmarking of energy and water is due annually by May 15. Please review the Building Efficiency Program for more information.
• Building Electrification Requirements: Section 15.04.043 of the Brisbane Municipal Code requires all new construction in the City to be all-electric subject to certain exceptions. However, in 2023 a Ninth Circuit federal appellate court determined that federal law preempts state and local laws prohibiting or unreasonably limiting the installation of new natural gas infrastructure in new construction. The City of Brisbane is within the Ninth Circuit and therefore the City Attorney’s Office has advised the City’s Building Department that Brisbane’s limitations on new natural gas infrastructure are not enforceable. It is the City’s preference is that all new construction be all electric, not a requirement. Finally, the City’s requirement that new construction be prewired for electric appliances remains in force (e.g., if a builder proposes to only have natural gas piping).
   Please refer to our handout on why and how you should go electric! 
• Grading: If your project involves site grading of more than 5 cubic yards, check with the Dept. of Public Works for grading permit requirements. For larger projects, Planning Commission review is required prior to Public Works approval of a grading permit. Please contact the Community Development Department for any grading projects within the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan Area or involves more than 50 cubic yards of material.
• Housing Services, Information, & Resources: Housing resources, such as healthy homes information, rental unit habitability, and housing rehabilitation and repair programs are available from brisbaneca.org/housing-resources
• Solar Energy: Solar energy generation systems are required for all new construction in Brisbane.  Additionally, if you are interested in installing rooftop solar on your existing home or duplex, your application may be eligible for streamlined processing and inspection. Visit the Residential Rooftop Solar page to view the eligibility criteria and download the required checklists and forms. If your application isn’t eligible for streamlining, check out the Solar Energy Systems page for guidelines for non-streamlined applications. 
• Stormwater: The California Water Board has requirements that the cities are required to enforce through the municipal regional permit.  These apply to new and existing projects that meet certain thresholds. Visit the Stormwater webpage for more information. 
• Tree Removal and Landscaping:  Refer to the Tree Removal and Landscaping webpage for applicable requirements; these can be stand-alone projects or part of a site development application package.