Hillsborough, Burlingame Luxury Homes Real Estate

Occasionally, I have clients ask me what they can and should do to improve their homes. I tell them it's the usual stuff, paint, landscape, keeping things in working order and updating where feasible.  In Foster City almost anything you do will require a permit from the City.  I can't begin to guess how many people out there haven't done that.  It's likely to be a large number because I'm going to list everything you must get a permit for below.  But before I do that, there at 8 things that also require an Architectural Review permit, as well!  And, if you live on the water, you might also need a Use Permit, as well.

Here's what Foster City requires a Building Permit for:

1. An Air Conditioning Condensing Unit - new or replacement
2. Bathroom remodel - new sink, tub, shower, toilet, floor and lighting all require it
3. Electrical panel - new or replacement
4. Fence - new or replacement
5. Foundation repair
6. Furnace - new or replacement
7. Garage Door
8. Hot Tub
9. Kitchen remodel - new sink, cabinets, stove, oven, flooring, lighting
10. Pipes - ONLY if replacing with copper
11. Roof - new or repair
12. Room Addition
    
13. Shed
14. Skylights
15. Solar Panels
16. Solarium
17. Trellis or Patio Cover
18. Water Heaters - including tankless water heaters
19. Window Replacement - same size
20. New Windows - different size

Some things also require an Architectural Review Permit:

1. Fence
2. Room Addition for non-waterfront house
3. Room Addition for waterfront house
4. Shed
5. Skylights
6. Solarium
7. Trellis or Patio Cover
8. New windows of a different size

A Use Permit may also be needed as well if you own a:

1. Waterfront house and want to add a room
2. Add a Solarium larger than 200 sq. feet on a waterfront house
   

So what happens if you've done one of the above and not taken out that permit?  The City can come and make you take your improvement out.  They might fine you, or do nothing.  When you are ready to sell you house, you MUST disclose all improvements you have made on the house and indicate whether you had them done with permits.  Sometimes you don't know if you had them, since a contractor takes care of all of that.  So, before you make any improvement on your house, ask your contractor if they are getting permits for the work.  Just to be safe, it's good to know.  If necessary, go to City Hall and get the permits yourself.  Inspectors will come out upon completion of the work and check that all work was done to code. 

It's cheap insurance for you and your home.  And, it doesn't hurt your resale , either.