eTRAKiT

12/22/22 update: 

Any user can register as a "public user".

If you are a contractor, and you received a confirmation email then you would login using your LICENSE number as the username.  

We appreciate your patience as we transition to the online permit system. We are working on issues with contractor registration and credit card payments. Online payments will be enabled as soon as possible. If you have any other issues with the system, please let us know! building@cityoflarkspur.org  

The most efficient way to contact Building Department staff is by email.

• Please check the Building Department Forms and applications for other forms that may be needed but are not linked here.
• Payment may be made by credit card or echeck through eTRAKiT (there is a 3% credit card processing fee). Or, checks can be mailed to 400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA Attn: Building or dropped in the exterior box on the wall to the right of the front door of City Hall at 400 Magnolia Ave. Payment may also be made in person during open counter hours.
• Digital submission is required for every permit type, all permit materials must be pdf format and uploaded on eTRAKiT (no pictures or jpegs accepted), CD/DVD submissions are not accepted, thumb drives may not be returned. 
• If you cannot apply online, contact staff to email documents. Document sharing services like googledocs, WeTransfer, dropbox, and others are the most efficient way to email digitally especially large files.
• There is no over-the-counter plan review/permit issuance at this time due to staffing levels. All commercial projects are subject to large project submission requirements below.
• Fire permits are also submitted through eTRAKiT for the Central Marin Fire Department for addresses in the City of Larkspur and Greenbrae are administered by the Building Department and generally are handled like the small project permit requirements below. Fire permits issued through the Building Department are under separate permit include:  sprinklers, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, and firelines. The fire protection contractor is to put their contractor information under the contractor portion of the application.  Fire protection contractors must have a Larkspur business license through Avenu Insights and Analytics (find website under "doing business"). 

Simple Permit Requirements 

Reroof, water heater, furnace replacement, AC new and replacement with site plan, electrical service change, window replacement like-for-like, siding replacement like-for-like,  residential roof-mounted solar PV (with plans), battery back-up for existing solar arrays, simple mechanical/electric/plumbing.

Simple permits can generally be issued within 2-5 working days once the City determines the submission to be complete (please make sure the application is completed in full including property owner phone number and email). 

If you are unable to apply online through eTRAKiT:

1. Application (2 pages) – All permit submittals require a building permit application completed and signed by the contractor. Property owner information, including phone number and email, are required on the application.

• If the property owner is going to pull the permit then complete the property owner-builder form in addition to the building permit application. The City and California State License Board encourage property owners to check with their insurer to understand their coverage as it relates to "owner-builder" permits. Some Homeowner Associations require that a licensed contractor pull the permit, especially for condominiums, please check your Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR's).

2. Payment is due at submission. See payment information above.  

Small Project Permit Requirements 

A small project is a project that requires plans and the plans can easily read when printed on 11 inch x 17 inch paper such as: kitchen and bath remodels like-for-like without structural changes, interior residential remodels without structural changes or addition of square footage, permanent generator installation, residential and commercial fire sprinklers, fire alarm, replacement decks that are conforming to zoning regulations, etc.

Please keep in mind that any project with civil engineering or extensive site plan will likely require a submission under Large Project Requirements.

Small project permits review takes approximately 7-10 working days. Some small project permits may be categorized as large project after initial review. (The determination of small vs large project is solely the City of Larkspur's). 

If you are unable to apply online through eTRAKiT the requirements below can be emailed to Building@cityoflarkspur.org or the printed package (applications, 3 sets of plans, 2 sets of supporting documentation) and a check for the plan check fee can be mailed or dropped off.

1. Application (2 pages) – All permit submittals require a building permit application completed and signed by the contractor. Property owner information, including phone number and email, are required on the application.

• If the property owner is going to pull the permit then complete the property owner-builder form in addition to the building permit application. The City and California State License Board encourage property owners to check with their insurer to understand their coverage as it relates to "owner-builder" permits. Some Homeowner Associations require that a licensed contractor pull the permit, especially for condominiums, please check your Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR's).

2. Payment is due at submission. There is a 3% credit card processing fee. Checks and small envelopes can be put in the exterior box on the wall to the right of the front door of City Hall. 

• Plan check fees are calculated based on the valuation-generated of base permit fee, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy analysis, CalGreen, and accessibility (commercial only).  Plan check fee is 65% of the summation of these fees. Contact the Building Department electronically with digital architectural plans, a very detailed scope of work, and the contract valuation of the work (includes design, material, and labor) and we will calculate the fees due at submission.

Large Project Permit Requirements

Larger or more complicated projects, such as all commercial tenant improvements, residential additions and extensive remodels, any project that has been approved by the Planning Commission, etc. All permit materials, plans, and supporting documentation are required to be submitted digitally on eTRAKiT.

Please check the building submittal checklist and email specific questions to Building@cityoflarkspur.org 

If you are unable to apply online in eTRAKiT:

1. Application (2 pages) – All permit submittals require a building permit application completed and signed by the contractor. Property owner information, including phone number and email, are required on the application.

• If the property owner is going to pull the permit then complete the property owner-builder form in addition to the building permit application. (This applies to residential only). Commercial projects require the owner's approval (see agent authorization-owners).

2.  Complete, stamped and/or signed plans digitally.  In some cases the City may requires paper submission.  

3. Payment of plan check fees are due at submission. Check payment for the plan check deposit should be submitted with the permit package (permit processing and plan review will not begin until payment is made). Or the fee can be paid by credit card (3% processing fee). Checks and small envelopes can be put in the exterior box on the wall to the right of the front door of City Hall. 

• Plan check fees are calculated based on the valuation-generated of base permit fee, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy analysis, CalGreen, and accessibility (commercial only).  Plan check fee is 65% of the summation of these fees. Contact the Building Department electronically with digital plans, completed application, and the contract valuation of the work (includes design, material, and labor) and we will calculate the fees due at submission.

NOTE: Plans will not be reviewed or processed until the fees due at submission are paid.

Large Project Plan Review

Once a complete submittal package and fees due at submission are paid:

• The initial plan review is approximately 3-4 weeks once the City determines that the submission is complete.  If reviews are completed before that time the applicant will be notified.
• The plan review on resubmittal (response to comments) is approximately 2-3 weeks. If reviews are completed before that time the applicant will be notified. Response to comments require the re-submission of revised architectural plans digitally.
• The Planning Department reviews all projects for zoning compliance and/or conformance to any discretionary Planning approval. We encourage you to review your plans with a planner prior to submitting, in case discretionary review is required.
• Plan reviews are done by the Planning, Building, Public Works, and Central Marin Fire Departments. Some projects may require to make separate submissions to outside agencies such as: applicable school district, Marin County Health Department, Ross Valley Sanitary District (RVSD), Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Marin Water, PG&E, and others. 
• Any project that involves work in, on, or near anyway waterway will have a special multi-jurisdictional review process, including multiple State, Federal, County, and District agency review.  You should check with the Building or Planning Department early in the project development process for information about that type of submission.
• Once all Departments have reviewed the plans a comment letter will be emailed to the applicant/contractor/property owner. 

Permit/Plan Issuance

When your permit is ready you will be contacted with instructions.  Plans submitted via eTRAKiT or email will be issued on eTRAKiT or email. 

Permit pickup is available Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 4 pm from the box marked plan pick up/drop off in the second floor lobby next to the elevator.  Please request the pickup one working day prior to pick up.  For a Monday pickup please request no later than noon on Thursday to ensure your request can be received and confirmed. Please include a timeframe (1-2  hours) for permit pickup so that those wanting no-contact permit pickup can be accommodated.  You will receive an email confirmation with the day, date and time-window for the pick up. 

All permit requirements, documentation, including signatures on applications, construction, and demolition forms, etc., must be submitted digitally, prior to requesting permit/plan pick up.

All payments must be made before requesting a pickup. Pay on eTRAKiT by credit card or echeck. You can mail a check, or drop the check into the box on the wall to the right of the front door at City Hall.  Checks and small envelopes can be put in the exterior box on the wall to the right of the front door of City Hall. 

Permit/Plan Drop off

If you are unable to use eTRAKiT, compete building permit submissions (see requirements above) can be submitted Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 4 pm in the box marked plan pick up/drop off in the second floor lobby next to the elevator. Incomplete submissions will not be processed.  When submitting large projects be prepared to pay the fees due at submission. Due to limited space we cannot "hold onto" incomplete submissions while applicants complete them. Feel free to email the Building Department Building@cityoflarkspur.org with questions.