How do I know if I'm in a city or unincorporated?
Your property tax bill or the county assessor's parcel lookup shows it. Mailing addresses can mislead: a "Redwood City" or "Half Moon Bay" address may be in an unincorporated area served by the county.
Updated November 11, 2026. Every incorporated city and town in this area is listed, plus each unincorporated county. A dollar fee is shown only when that jurisdiction publishes a reroof or residential permit fee on an official page or fee schedule; otherwise the table links the official schedule or building department.
San Mateo County
| Jurisdiction | How the permit works | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Atherton Building Department |
| Belmont | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Belmont Building Division |
| Brisbane | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Brisbane Building Division |
| Burlingame | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Burlingame: permits |
| Colma | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | Town of Colma Planning & Building |
| Daly City | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Daly City Building Division |
| East Palo Alto | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of East Palo Alto Building Division |
| Foster City | Apply through the city's Online Permit Center (eTRAKiT). | Set by the city | City of Foster City Online Permit Center |
| Half Moon Bay | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Half Moon Bay Building Division |
| Hillsborough | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | Town of Hillsborough Building Division |
| Menlo Park | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Menlo Park Building Division |
| Millbrae | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Millbrae Building Division |
| Pacifica | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Pacifica Planning & Building |
| Portola Valley | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | Town of Portola Valley Building Department |
| Redwood City | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of Redwood City Building Inspection |
| San Bruno | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of San Bruno Building Division |
| San Carlos | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of San Carlos Building Division |
| San Mateo | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of San Mateo Building Division |
| South San Francisco | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | City of South San Francisco Building Division |
| Woodside | The city's building department issues reroof permits. Apply through the permit office or the city's online portal. | Set by the city | Town of Woodside Building Department |
| Unincorporated San Mateo County | The county building department issues reroof permits for unincorporated areas. Apply through the county permit office or online portal. | Set by the county | San Mateo County Planning: building |
What should the roofer submit?
Expect the number of squares, the roofing material and its fire rating, whether it's a tear-off, and whether any decking will be replaced. Foster City takes applications through its online permit center (eTRAKiT); other cities have their own portals or counters.
What does it cost?
We haven't verified a published residential reroof fee for any Peninsula city, so we link each official office instead of quoting a number. Ask your roofer to put the permit fee in the written bid.
What about cool roofs?
The Peninsula cities we checked are in climate zone 3, outside the zones where the 2025 Energy Code prescriptively requires a cool roof on a home reroof (CEC 2025 compliance manual).
Every roofer we work with is licensed, insured and highly reviewed by Bay Area homeowners.
Get a free replacement quoteFrequently asked questions
Does unincorporated San Mateo County issue reroof permits?
Yes. The county Planning and Building department handles unincorporated areas.
Who pulls the permit, me or the roofer?
Usually the licensed roofer. Make it a line item in the contract.
Do I need a cool roof in San Mateo County?
Not prescriptively in climate zone 3. Confirm your address's zone with the roofer.
Sources
Sources reviewed November 11, 2026. Figures are published estimates and official fees, not quotes. Confirm prices, permits and requirements with your contractor and building department. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice.