Residential Architect in Redwood City | Remodels, Additions, and Custom Homes
Redwood City has a specific requirement that surprises many homeowners: any second-story addition or second-story remodel involving exterior modifications requires an Architectural Permit from the Planning Division before a building permit application can be submitted. These are sequential processes. And because Redwood City has multiple residential zoning districts with different height limits, setbacks, and FAR thresholds, the first question on any project is always which district the property is in.
Regulations change and every property is different. This page reflects general conditions in Redwood City, not a substitute for a property-specific feasibility review.
Redwood City Homeowners We Work With
Homeowners in Redwood City come to us with a wide range of project types. Some own modest homes in Horgan Ranch or Friendly Acres and want to add a second story. Others own larger homes in Farm Hills or Emerald Hills dealing with hillside site conditions. A few are near historic districts and want to understand what that means for exterior modifications. Most share a desire to understand the Architectural Permit sequence before investing in design.
Redwood City's 2024 zoning code update clarified the Architectural Permit threshold: it is now required only when construction goes above one story, with exemptions for small residential additions and modifications such as balcony or window adjustments. This means some exterior modifications that previously required an Architectural Permit may now qualify for a simpler path. Confirming the current threshold for a specific project with Planning staff before design begins is worth doing.
Common Project Types
Home Remodels and Renovations
Redwood City has diverse housing stock: Spanish Colonial and Craftsman homes near the downtown core, postwar ranches in Horgan Ranch and Park Atherton, larger custom homes in the hills. Single-story additions that meet all zoning standards bypass the Architectural Permit and go through building permits only. Interior remodels that do not involve exterior changes avoid the Architectural Permit entirely. Historic status should be confirmed with Planning staff early: properties evaluated for potential historic significance require additional consultation before exterior modifications are designed.
Home Additions & Second Story Expansions
Second-story additions and remodels involving exterior modifications require an Architectural Permit from the Planning Division before building permit submittal. The Architectural Permit is a staff-level review for most projects, evaluated against Redwood City's Residential Design Guide. Projects requiring variances or involving historic properties may require Planning Commission review. Multiple zoning districts with different height, setback, and FAR standards: the applicable standards depend on the specific district, and confirming it before design begins is the baseline.
The structural review timeline in Redwood City is worth noting: once the Architectural Permit is obtained and the One-Stop plan review appointment can be scheduled, structural reviews are completed within 6 to 8 weeks. The One-Stop appointment is where building, fire, and planning staff review plans concurrently in a single session. This concurrent review is efficient once the Architectural Permit gate is cleared, but the Architectural Permit itself must come first.
Custom Homes and Rebuilds
New two-story homes require an Architectural Permit from Planning before the building permit application. Hillside neighborhoods in Emerald Hills and Farm Hills involve additional grading and slope permit considerations.
What Typically Creates Approval Friction in Redwood City
Discovering the Architectural Permit requirement mid-design. Projects designed without accounting for the sequential planning-then-building structure often need to pause while the AP application is prepared. Understanding the process before design begins prevents this.
Wrong zoning district standards. Multiple residential districts with different height, setback, and FAR limits mean a design developed under the wrong standards requires revision before approval. Confirm the district before scope is set.
Historic property status. Properties with potential historic significance require Planning staff consultation before exterior modifications are designed. This needs to happen before, not during, the design process.
The Approval Process in Redwood City
Architectural Permit from Planning required before building permit submittal for second-story work involving exterior modifications. Sequential, not concurrent.
Single-story additions meeting all zoning standards bypass the Architectural Permit and go through building only.
One-Stop plan review appointment can be scheduled once the Architectural Permit is obtained. Structural reviews completed within 6 to 8 weeks at this stage.
Multiple residential zoning districts with different standards. Confirm the district before design scope is set.
Historic status must be confirmed with Planning staff early. Properties with potential historic significance require consultation before exterior modifications are designed.
Total timeline from design start to permit: typically 7 to 12 months for second-story additions.
When to Start the Feasibility Conversation in Redwood City
The Architectural Permit requirement for second-story work in Redwood City means that planning approval is a gate that building plan check cannot open until it is cleared. A homeowner who completes drawings before understanding this sequence will need to pause construction planning while the Architectural Permit is prepared and reviewed. Confirming the applicable zoning district, the historic status of the property, and whether the proposed scope requires an Architectural Permit takes one to two weeks during feasibility and prevents that pause from happening mid-project. For hillside properties in Emerald Hills or Farm Hills, site conditions add additional complexity that makes early assessment even more important.
Working on a Project in Redwood City?
The Discovery Call is a simple first conversation about your property, your goals, and the path forward for the project before any design work begins.
Areas We Work In
We work throughout the South Bay and Peninsula, including the following cities. Each city links to a relevant project pathway and design and permitting context for that area.
Redwood City · San Carlos · Menlo Park · Palo Alto · Belmont · San Mateo · Atherton · Burlingame · San Jose