New Home Construction in San Martin, CA
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Building a Home on San Martin Land
A new home in San Martin is a rural building project: well water or a water district connection, a septic system designed to the soil, access, and County zoning based on slope and acreage. Axiom Renovation (CA Lic. #1105006) builds custom homes and coordinates surveyors, septic designers, engineers and County reviews.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
The Approvals a New San Martin Home Needs
- Zoning and density review: Rural Residential uses a 5 to 20 acre variable slope density formula.
- Building site approval for the main house.
- Environmental Health septic approval; no new septic in the highly permeable Llagas Creek soils.
- Water supply: private or shared well, San Martin County Water District, or California American Water where available.
- SMPAC review if the project needs Planning Commission or Board approval.
- Building permit through the Public Permit Portal, with school and fire impact fees paid directly to those agencies.
- County Fire review and inspections.
San Martin Planning Advisory Committee (SMPAC) advises the County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, reviewing San Martin applications that need Planning Commission or Board approval and code or General Plan changes. It meets monthly, on the Wednesday before the Planning Commission’s first-Thursday meeting.
County Permit Office
Department of Planning and Development
70 W. Hedding Street, East Wing, 7th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110 · (408) 299-5700
Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.; Fridays limited building services for active permits. Applications go through the County Public Permit Portal. Environmental Health, Roads and Fire Marshal staff are at the permit center on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
County inspections: book through the VuSpex virtual inspection app, the Public Permit Portal or (408) 299-5700; requests before 3 p.m. on a workday get a next-day inspection. Fire Marshal inspections: (408) 341-4420. Request a final inspection on every related permit to close out the project.
The County’s all-electric reach code for new homes has not been enforced since July 2024; we confirm the current status at submittal.
Explore More
Other San Martin services: ADUs · Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · San Martin overview
Same service nearby: Morgan Hill · Gilroy
See our custom home builder page.
San Martin New Home Construction FAQ
How much land do I need to build in San Martin?
Rural Residential density uses a 5 to 20 acre variable slope density formula; cluster lots must be at least 1 acre.
Can I put a septic system anywhere?
No. New septic systems are prohibited in the highly permeable soils along Llagas Creek.
Is all-electric required for new homes?
The County’s all-electric reach code has not been enforced since July 2024.
Who issues building permits in San Martin?
Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development.