Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling in Millbrae: Permits, Inspections and Mid-Century Homes

By ProRock Remodeling · CSLB #1154078 · Updated October 8, 2026

Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in Millbrae?

In most cases, yes. The City of Millbrae says a building permit is generally required to build or alter a structure, or to work on electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems. A real kitchen or bath remodel almost always touches at least one of those: a new circuit for the microwave, a relocated sink drain, a new bath fan.

Purely cosmetic work, like paint, may not need a building permit, but the line can be fine. If you're unsure, call the Building Division at (650) 259-2330 before you start demolition, not after.

How do you apply for a remodel permit in Millbrae?

Millbrae runs permitting through an online portal that's open around the clock, and the city states that hard-copy applications are not accepted. You register with an email address, and you can give your contractor or designer access to the project. The application walks through four pages: information, scope of work, the application itself and document uploads.

City staff screen the submittal first. If it's complete, you're notified of plan check fees, and review begins once they're paid. If something is missing, the application comes back for correction.

Taking out a wall or moving a beam takes you out of the streamlined lane and into a fuller plan review, so decide early whether that open-concept kitchen is worth the extra time.

Which building code applies to a Millbrae remodel?

California's 2025 Building Standards Code took effect statewide on January 1, 2026. At the time of writing, Millbrae's Building Division page still lists the 2022 editions, so confirm with the city which edition applies to your application date. Either way, expect the usual kitchen and bath items: GFCI-protected outlets near the sink and a bath fan controlled by a humidity control. Our California energy and water rules guide explains the details.

How do remodel inspections work in Millbrae?

Millbrae requires inspections for all permitted work. You or your contractor request each one by calling the Building Division at least one day ahead, and each phase has to pass before the next begins. In a typical remodel that means rough plumbing, electrical and framing checks before walls are closed, then a final.

Inspections are scheduled on weekdays, in morning and afternoon windows. The city's posted construction hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Your neighbors will appreciate a crew that respects them.

What should you know about remodeling a mid-century Millbrae home?

Millbrae incorporated in 1948 and grew quickly after the war, from about 8,972 residents in 1950 to 15,873 in 1960. After the Mills estate burned in 1954, its land was subdivided, much of it by the Trousdale Construction Company. That's why so many kitchens and baths here sit inside mid-century homes, from the flats near El Camino to hillside neighborhoods such as the Highlands.

A few things to plan for:

• What's behind the walls. Homes of this age can have original wiring, galvanized pipes and materials that should be tested before demolition. Our older-home hidden issues guide covers the rules.
• Hillside logistics. Steep driveways and narrow streets make deliveries and debris removal a real planning item.
• Fog and moisture. Summer night and morning fog is common, so a properly ducted bath fan earns its keep.

Is aircraft noise something to think about during a remodel?

Millbrae sits right next to SFO, and some homes are close enough to the flight paths that windows and doors matter. San Francisco International Airport runs a Noise Insulation Program; in 2025 it bid out acoustical work, including window and door replacement, for eligible homes in Millbrae, San Bruno and South San Francisco. Eligibility is set by the airport, so ask SFO's Noise Office before you buy new windows on your own. If you're not eligible, it's still worth discussing window and door choices with your contractor. The planes will keep coming; Millbrae has learned to finish its sentences between them.

Being the spot where BART meets Caltrain also makes Millbrae one of the easier towns on the Peninsula for a crew to reach. Compare nearby rules in Burlingame and San Mateo.

Who can handle a Millbrae remodel and permit for you?

ProRock Remodeling is a licensed general contractor (California CSLB #1154078) with more than 20 years in business, $1M general liability insurance and a 2-year workmanship warranty. We focus on kitchen and bathroom remodels, and also handle whole-home remodels, ADUs, design and permits from San Jose to South San Francisco. We pull the permits and handle inspections. See finished kitchens and baths in our project gallery, read our kitchen remodel timeline guide, or call (408) 991-4744 or request a free estimate.