Building and Planning Departments

The Building Department is responsible for administering the California Building Code requirements through plan checking, building permits, and on-site inspections.

The Planning Department handles all land use development applications and land use policy items. New land use policies are also prepared by planning staff for consideration by the Site and Architectural Commission and City Council.

Counter Hours
The Building Department and Planning Department staff are generally available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at City Hall. Outside of these hours, please email or call the Building Department or the Planning Department staff.

Online Building Permit Services
Monte Sereno offers the following building permit services online at epermits.montesereno.org:

Obtain Minor Building Permits (no plans required, unless otherwise noted)

The following types of minor building permit can be obtained online:

  • Air Conditioning 
  • Electrical Panel Replacement 
  • Energy Storage System
  • EV Charger
  • Furnace Replacement
  • Photovoltaic System
  • Roof Replacement (Reroof)
  • Sewer Line Replacement
  • Temporary Power
  • Water Heater Replacement
  • Water Pipes Replacement

These minor permits can also be obtained in person at City Hall during normal business hours.

Apply for a Building Permit that Requires Plans

Effective January 3, 2024, all new applications for building permits that require a plan check shall be submitted online. The online submittals shall include electronic files of the plans/documents through a file share link, a completed Building Permit Application, and a plan check deposit fee.

Please note that resubmittals for building plan checks and revisions to building permits which were initially made with a hard copy plans/documents shall continue to be hard copies. These submittals can be made in person at City Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

View Plan Check Status

The status of a building permit plan check as well as the plan check comments are available.

Schedule a Building Inspection 

      Building inspections can be scheduled online.

 

Online Planning Application Services
Monte Sereno offers the following Planning Department application services online at epermits.montesereno.org:

Planning Department Permit Applications

All new Planning Department permit applications shall be submitted online. The online submittals shall include electronic files of the plans/documents through a file share link as well as payment of the application fee.

Tree Removal Permit Applications

Tree Removal Permit applications can be submitted online or in person at City Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.


Construction Hours
The allowable construction hours are as follows:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
No work is allowed on Sunday or Holidays

Holidays falling on Saturday are observed on Friday; holidays falling on Sunday are observed on Monday.

See the Hours of Construction and Holidays flyer for specific holidays.