Who issues the building permit for a Marin home?
It depends on whether the home is in a city or in unincorporated Marin. The County’s Community Development Agency issues permits for unincorporated communities such as Kentfield, Strawberry, Tamalpais Valley, Marin City, Lucas Valley and Marinwood. The County site has a lookup that confirms the jurisdiction for an address.
Homes inside a city or town go through that city’s building department:
- Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere and Sausalito
- Ross, Larkspur, Corte Madera and San Anselmo
- San Rafael and Novato
Does a kitchen or bath remodel need a permit?
In most cases, yes. Marin County says most construction projects need a building permit. Finish work such as painting, tiling, cabinets and countertops is exempt.
For unincorporated Marin, a non-structural kitchen or bath remodel of up to 400 square feet can use the County’s online Minor Improvement permit, without plans up front. Tiburon states that kitchen and bath remodels and window replacements need a permit.
When does design review apply?
Design review covers what the street sees, and each town sets its own trigger:
- Tiburon: any exterior alteration that requires a building permit.
- Belvedere: most exterior changes, even when no building permit is required.
- Mill Valley: demolition of 50% or more of the exterior surface, or additions over 35% of the existing floor area or 1,000 square feet.
If your remodel touches windows, siding or the roofline, ask your town about design review before you finalize the plans.
How long does permit review take?
The County lists 6 to 8 weeks for permits that need plans, with initial plan review of 2 to 4 weeks. Since January 1, 2026 the County no longer accepts paper submittals. The Town of Ross gives approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Other towns do not publish a timeline.
What fire rules affect a Marin remodel?
CAL FIRE released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps in 2025, and much of Marin falls inside a zone. The State Fire Marshal’s wildland-urban interface rules apply to new buildings in those zones. For remodels, the local building official decides what applies, so raise it at the first meeting.
The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority calls home hardening and defensible space the best ways to protect a home. A remodel is a good time to do both.
Are there energy rules for remodels?
In unincorporated Marin, updated green building rules took effect on January 1, 2026. Single-family remodels and additions of 500 square feet or more must meet a target energy score. The County is no longer enforcing its all-electric requirement for new buildings. BayREN offers a Home Energy Score rebate.
Why do older Marin homes need a careful scope?
The median Marin County home was built in 1967, according to the Census Bureau. Older framing, wiring and plumbing are common once walls are open. A written scope that names what will be checked, and how changes are priced, keeps those findings from becoming surprises.
