New Home Construction in San Carlos, CA
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Building New in San Carlos
Compliance Review: since December 13, 2023, San Carlos reviews single-family projects against objective design standards. A staff-level Compliance Review, decided by the Community Development Director, applies to residential improvements in RS zones, and projects that meet the standards are approved with no public hearing. Additions inside the existing building envelope are exempt. Requests to deviate from the standards go to the Planning and Transportation Commission at a noticed hearing, and the applicant or adjacent and facing neighbors can request Director review within 10 days of a staff decision.
The City targets 4 to 6 weeks for plan check on a new single-family home.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
New-Home Requirements
Hillside Overlay (average slope of 20% or more): 35 feet overall height, with downhill street-facing elevations limited to 20 feet plus a 5-foot step-back; created slopes no steeper than 30%; at least 35% of the lot left natural; driveways at an 18% average grade or less. Wildland-urban interface construction rules apply south of San Carlos Avenue and west of Alameda de las Pulgas.
Fire sprinklers: required in residential reconstruction of 2,500 sq ft or more, such as replacing over 50% of the foundation or exterior wall framing, and when a one-story home becomes a two-story home over 2,500 sq ft. The Redwood City Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention administers the fire code for San Carlos.
Trees: “significant” trees 11 inches or more in diameter at 54 inches, redwoods at 15 inches, and heritage and required trees need a permit to remove or prune.
Sewer lateral: San Carlos requires a CCTV inspection, and repair if needed, of the private sewer lateral with permits that add toilets, create a new connection or cover more than 25% of the building. Occupancy is held until the lateral passes.
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Building (650) 802-4261, bu******@*************os.org · Planning (650) 802-4263, pl******@*************os.org (first floor; counter Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon by appointment, closed Fridays)
Submittals are digital only through the City’s Tyler EP&L Customer Self-Service portal. Building counter hours and inspection scheduling are by appointment, so call ahead. Construction hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; no work Sundays or holidays.
Explore More
Other San Carlos services: ADUs · Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · San Carlos overview
Same service nearby: Belmont · Redwood City · Menlo Park
See our custom home builder page.
San Carlos New Home Construction FAQ
Does a new home need a public hearing in San Carlos?
Not if it meets the objective design standards.
Are new homes all-electric?
The all-electric code is not currently enforced.
What are the hillside height limits?
35 feet overall, with downhill street elevations at 20 feet plus a 5-foot step-back.
How long is plan check?
4 to 6 weeks for a new single-family home.