Permits & reach codes, handled for you.
Heat pump and HVAC work needs a permit in nearly every Bay Area city. Here's how permitting and local reach codes work — and why we take the paperwork off your plate.
Educational, not legal advice. This page explains how permitting and reach codes generally work for HVAC and heat pump projects. It is not legal advice and does not state any city's exact code sections, fees, or timelines — those vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always confirm current requirements with your local building department, or let us do it for you.
Why does a heat pump install need a permit?
A permit means your work is reviewed and inspected against code — protecting safety, efficiency, and your home's value (and your future resale). HVAC change-outs and heat pump installations require a permit in nearly every Bay Area city. As your licensed contractor (Plum HVAC, CSLB #1087978), we pull the permit, coordinate inspection, and keep the documentation.
What is an AHJ — and who's yours?
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is the government body that issues permits and enforces code for your address — usually your city's building department, or the county for unincorporated areas. Plum serves cities primarily in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, plus the adjacent Alameda County cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City.
What are reach codes?
A reach code is a local building code that goes beyond the state minimum. Across the Peninsula, a number of cities have adopted reach codes that favor or require electric heat pumps — part of the same direction as California's 2026 Title 24 rules. Whether a reach code affects your specific replacement depends on your city, so we confirm it before any work begins.
AHJ reference — cities we serve
The permitting authority for each service-area city. Exact code provisions, fees, and timelines vary by jurisdiction — we verify the current requirements for your address.
| City | County | Permitting authority (AHJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Atherton | San Mateo County | City of Atherton |
| Belmont | San Mateo County | City of Belmont |
| Burlingame | San Mateo County | City of Burlingame |
| Cupertino | Santa Clara County | City of Cupertino |
| Daly City | San Mateo County | City of Daly City |
| Emerald Hills | San Mateo County | San Mateo County (unincorporated) |
| Foster City | San Mateo County | City of Foster City |
| Fremont | Alameda County | City of Fremont |
| Hillsborough | San Mateo County | City of Hillsborough |
| Los Altos | Santa Clara County | City of Los Altos |
| Los Altos Hills | Santa Clara County | City of Los Altos Hills |
| Los Gatos | Santa Clara County | City of Los Gatos |
| Menlo Park | San Mateo County | City of Menlo Park |
| Millbrae | San Mateo County | City of Millbrae |
| Milpitas | Santa Clara County | City of Milpitas |
| Mountain View | Santa Clara County | City of Mountain View |
| Newark | Alameda County | City of Newark |
| Palo Alto | Santa Clara County | City of Palo Alto |
| Portola Valley | San Mateo County | City of Portola Valley |
| Redwood City | San Mateo County | City of Redwood City |
| San Bruno | San Mateo County | City of San Bruno |
| San Carlos | San Mateo County | City of San Carlos |
| San Jose | Santa Clara County | City of San Jose |
| San Mateo | San Mateo County | City of San Mateo |
| Santa Clara | Santa Clara County | City of Santa Clara |
| Saratoga | Santa Clara County | City of Saratoga |
| Stanford | Santa Clara County | Santa Clara County (unincorporated) |
| Sunnyvale | Santa Clara County | City of Sunnyvale |
| Union City | Alameda County | City of Union City |
| Woodside | San Mateo County | City of Woodside |
Authorities listed are the permitting jurisdiction; specific department names, fees, and reach-code provisions must be confirmed per city before work.
How Plum handles permitting for you
- We confirm the AHJ and any reach-code requirements for your address.
- We pull the permit as your licensed contractor — you don't file anything.
- We schedule and pass inspection, and hand you the documentation.
It's part of doing the job right — and it's why our reviews mention clean, fully-permitted installs handled start to finish.
Permitting FAQs
Do I need a permit for a heat pump or HVAC replacement?
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In nearly every Bay Area city, yes — HVAC change-outs and heat pump installations require a permit and inspection. Plum pulls and manages the permit for your project so the work is code-compliant and documented. Specific requirements vary by city.
Who pulls the permit — me or the contractor?
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Plum handles it. As your licensed contractor we file the permit, coordinate inspection, and keep the documentation — one less thing for you to manage. You should be wary of any installer who asks you to pull an owner permit for work they're performing.
What is a reach code and does it affect my replacement?
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A reach code is a local building code stricter than the state minimum. Many Peninsula cities have adopted reach codes that favor or require electric heat pumps, especially in new construction and major remodels. Whether one affects a like-for-like replacement depends on your city — we confirm before we start.
How long does permitting take?
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It varies by jurisdiction — some cities issue HVAC change-out permits quickly, others take longer. We factor permitting into your project timeline and keep you informed. Exact fees and timelines should be confirmed per city.
Last updated .
Let us handle the permits.
From the right permit to a passed inspection, Plum manages the paperwork so your install is code-compliant and stress-free.