Kitchen Remodeling in Santa Clara, CA
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Kitchens and Silicon Valley Power
Santa Clara kitchens often need more electrical capacity for induction ranges, wall ovens and EV charging, and the city has its own electric utility, Silicon Valley Power. We plan the panel and service upgrade to SVP’s requirements along with the kitchen design.
Silicon Valley Power: Santa Clara has its own electric utility. Service upgrades need a single main disconnect and a surge-protective device, exterior panels must be NEMA 3 or 3R, and only SVP may disconnect its service conductors. After inspection, the inspector authorizes SVP to reconnect.
Kitchen Projects
Gas or Electric in a Santa Clara Kitchen
A kitchen remodel in an existing home can replace a gas range with another gas range. But if the kitchen is part of a larger project that the City treats as new construction, the home must convert to all-electric.
All-electric (Ordinance 2056, since January 2023): all new buildings must be all-electric, and an addition counts as new construction if it removes more than 50% of the exterior walls or raises more than 50% of the wall plate height, in which case gas is removed and appliances converted. Replacing a gas appliance with another gas appliance is allowed.
Permit Path
City Hall, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Permit Center (408) 615-2420 · Building (408) 615-2440 · Planning (408) 615-2450
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Planning unavailable Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.); walk-ins and appointments. Applications go through the Permitting Online Portal (POP).
- Building plans: site plan, floor plans, structural details for removed walls, Title 24 forms printed on the plans, CALGreen checklist, and a title sheet showing flood zone and sprinklers yes or no.
- Exterior changes need Architectural Review first.
Inspections are booked in POP up to 10 business days ahead. After 8 a.m. on inspection day, POP shows a two-hour arrival window, and someone must be on site. Cancel by 2 p.m. the business day before.
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Other Santa Clara services: Bathrooms · Additions · New Homes · Santa Clara ADU builder · Santa Clara overview
Santa Clara Kitchen Remodeling FAQ
Can I keep my gas range in Santa Clara?
Yes, gas-for-gas replacement is allowed unless the project counts as new construction under the all-electric ordinance.
Who handles my electrical service upgrade?
Silicon Valley Power, the City’s utility; only SVP may disconnect and reconnect service.
Do kitchen remodels need Architectural Review?
Remodels and additions go through Architectural Review when they change the exterior.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Construction usually runs a couple of months.