Bolthole Index

Santa Clara County, California

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Campbell, California

Inside Campbell, California, the city issues building permits for construction and administers its own zoning12. Santa Clara County Environmental Health, not the city building counter, issues septic permits where public sewer service is unavailable3. RVs cannot be used for camping except under Campbell's narrow camping rules4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction; apply through Campbell's MGO system15
Zoning
Campbell has its own zoning code and residential districts2
Septic
Santa Clara County Environmental Health permits onsite systems where sewer is unavailable3
RV living
An RV cannot be used for camping except under the city's limited camping rules4
Yard camping
Limited residential-yard camping is allowed, but not in a motor vehicle or trailer6
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption may apply, but city building permits still do71
Tiny home
City-lot occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Campbell Planning before buying8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Campbell Building Division

Building permits, plan review and construction questions for projects inside Campbell city limits

(408) 866-2130

[email protected]

City Hall- Upper Level, 70 North 1st Street, Campbell, CA 95008

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

City of Campbell Planning Division

Zoning, land-use review and planning permits for property inside Campbell city limits

(408) 866-2140

[email protected]

City Hall- Upper Level, 70 North 1st Street, Campbell, CA 95008

Online permits →

Septic permits

Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health

General Environmental Health contact for the county program that issues onsite wastewater treatment system permits and inspects installations where public sewer is unavailable

(408) 918-3400

[email protected]

1555 Berger Drive, Building #2, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95112

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Campbell means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Campbell, California?

Yes. Campbell says a building permit is required to do construction inside the city1. The broader city guidance says a Campbell building permit is required for all new construction and, in most cases, for demolition, replacement, additions, expansions, alterations and remodeling9.

The City of Campbell Building Division approves plans and issues construction permits within city limits10. Santa Clara County's building-permit rules cover unincorporated land, so the county building counter is not the starting point for a Campbell parcel11. California's owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing; an owner-builder still has to obtain required city building permits and pass inspections7.

Who issues building permits in Campbell, and how do you reach them?

The City of Campbell Building Division issues building permits for construction inside Campbell10. Call (408) 866-2130, email [email protected], or visit the upper level of City Hall at 70 North 1st Street, Campbell, CA 9500810.

Campbell directs applicants to create an account in MGO Connect, choose the proper application group and upload the required documents5. Planning approval may be a separate step, so zoning questions go to the Campbell Planning Division at (408) 866-2140 or [email protected]8. Septic approval is also separate and remains with Santa Clara County Environmental Health3.

Does Campbell have zoning, and what does it mean for lots and homes?

Yes. Campbell has its own zoning code and residential zoning districts for land inside city limits2. The Planning Division manages development review and is the right office to confirm a parcel's district, allowed use and project-specific standards before design work starts8.

Standards depend on the district. In Campbell's R-1 single-family residential district, maximum lot coverage is 40%12. Campbell also has a Mobile Home Park zoning district intended for mobile homes, modular homes and supporting or comparable uses13. The city materials reviewed did not establish a general minimum dwelling size or a specific tiny-home occupancy rule, so ask Planning to classify the proposed unit and site before relying on a listing or seller's description8.

How do septic permits work inside Campbell?

Santa Clara County Environmental Health issues permits for new onsite wastewater treatment systems and repairs to existing systems where public sewer is unavailable3. The county program also reviews proposed designs, evaluates sites and oversees soil testing, and inspects installations14.

A permit from Environmental Health is required before constructing, reconstructing or repairing an individual septic system in Santa Clara County15. For new development, Environmental Health clearance comes before the building permit, and the applicant must contact Environmental Health to schedule required installation inspections1516. Campbell's Building and Planning divisions do not replace that county health approval108.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Campbell?

Do not treat a parked RV as a legal dwelling in Campbell. The city says recreational vehicles may not be used for camping except in compliance with its limited camping chapter4. Residential-yard camping may occur for no more than 7 days in a calendar month and no more than 4 nonresidents at once, but it cannot involve a motor vehicle or trailer and must meet the other listed conditions6.

We could not confirm a Campbell rule specifically allowing occupancy of a tiny home on a private lot. California requires a tiny home used for occupancy to fit an approved classification and to be placed where that classification is allowed17. Ask the Campbell Planning Division to confirm zoning and the Building Division to confirm construction classification before purchase810.

Building a home in Campbell: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Campbell Planning Division to confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed residential use and development standards28.
  1. Confirm public sewer service; if an onsite system is proposed, begin Environmental Health review and obtain septic clearance before the city building permit15.
  1. Create an MGO Connect account, select the correct Campbell building-permit application group and upload all required documents5.
  1. Complete city plan review and obtain the building permit before construction starts110.
  1. Arrange required construction inspections with the city, and arrange separate septic inspections with Environmental Health if the project has an onsite wastewater system1610.

What stays with Santa Clara County, and what should you check before buying?

Campbell decides zoning and building permits inside city limits, while Santa Clara County Environmental Health handles septic permits where public sewer is unavailable213. A Valley Water permit is required before covered well drilling, modification, repair or destruction within the district's service area; water-supply well applications also require county Environmental Health approval18.

Before buying, have Campbell Planning confirm the parcel's zoning and intended use, and ask the Building Division about the proposed structure810. If the plan involves moving a property line or dividing land, Campbell regulates subdivisions, parcel maps, lot-line adjustments and lot mergers19. Private-well permitting inside Campbell was not confirmed, so verify the address with Valley Water and Environmental Health before assuming a well is available1814.

Watch-outs

  • Santa Clara County's unincorporated zoning and building rules do not govern a parcel inside Campbell; use the city Planning and Building divisions20810.
  • Campbell does not allow an RV to be used for camping except under its limited camping rules, and residential-yard camping cannot involve a motor vehicle or trailer46.
  • A septic approval is separate from the city building permit and comes from Santa Clara County Environmental Health where public sewer is unavailable315.

Sources

  1. Building | Campbell, CA (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  2. Campbell Municipal Code § 21.08.020, Residential zoning districts (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS), quoted and re-checked
  4. Campbell Municipal Code § 21.28.120, Recreational vehicle parking (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  5. Building | Campbell, CA (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  6. Campbell Municipal Code § 6.40.010, Camping prohibited (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  7. California Business and Professions Code Section 7044, quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Campbell Planning Division (campbellca.gov)
  9. Business Basics Guide | Campbell, CA (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Campbell Building Division (campbellca.gov)
  11. Apply for a Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  12. Campbell Municipal Code § 21.08.050, Residential development standards (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  13. Campbell Municipal Code § 21.08.020, Residential zoning districts (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  14. Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (deh.santaclaracounty.gov)
  15. Other approvals that may be needed for construction, quoted and re-checked
  16. Application for septic/OWTS clearance for new development, quoted and re-checked
  17. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Well Permits and Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  19. Land Development | Campbell, CA (Campbell), quoted and re-checked
  20. Planning Services, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Campbell

Campbell’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction inside Campbell city limits, including new construction and most demolition, additions, expansions, alterations, and remodeling.

    • The city states 'In most cases,' so exceptions may exist.
    “You must have a building permit to do construction.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Construction inside Campbell city limits; the city administers local building permits under local regulations and the California Building Code.

    • Specific projects may also be subject to other adopted state or local codes.
    “In most cases, a Campbell Building Permit is required for demolition and replacement of existing construction, additions, expansions, alterations, or remodeling, and is required for all new construction to ensure compliance with local regulations and California Building Code.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New non-residential buildings or additions and interior tenant improvements inside Campbell city limits.

    • A new non-residential building or addition is shell-only and does not include an occupancy clearance; a separate tenant-improvement permit is required to secure a Certificate of Occupancy.
    “A separate permit for interior tenant improvement (TI) work is required to secure a Certificate of Occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Campbell city limits; Campbell has its own zoning code and residential zoning districts.

    “The purpose and zoning district map symbols of individual residential zoning districts are as follows:”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district in Campbell.

    • The table lists a maximum lot coverage of 40% for R-1.

    maximum lot coverage: 40 percent

    “Maximum Lot Coverage 40% N/A Minimum Required Open Space 750 sq. ft.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle parking and occupancy in Campbell residential zoning districts.

    • RV must be on private property, not over a public sidewalk, not in a posted-prohibited public right-of-way, on a paved surface, and cannot impede safe entry, exit, or emergency access. RVs may not be used for camping except under Chapter 6.40.
    “Recreational vehicles shall not be used for camping purposes, except in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 6.40 of the Campbell Municipal Code.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on public or private property inside Campbell city limits.

    • Camping is prohibited except for specified city-sponsored events and limited residential, business, public-assembly, and driveway situations. Residential-yard camping is limited to seven days per calendar month, four nonresidents, and cannot involve a motor vehicle or trailer; additional consent, licensing, restroom, notice, nuisance, HOA, and zoning conditions apply.

    residential-yard camping limit: 7 days per calendar month · residential-yard nonresident limit: <= 4 people

    “Camping shall be allowed: (1) In the yard of a residence with the consent of the owner and occupant of the residence, where the camping cannot be seen from the street and does not involve a motor vehicle or trailer, provided that no parcel shall be used for camping under this provision for more than seven days during any one calendar month, and no more than four people who are not residents of a permanent residential structure located on the parcel may camp on the parcel at the same time;”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes inside Campbell city limits.

    • Campbell has a Mobile Home Park zoning district intended for mobile homes and modular homes; flood-hazard placements are subject to additional anchoring and elevation standards.
    “The mobile home park zoning district is intended for mobile homes, modular homes, and uses in support of, and comparable to, such land uses.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, parcel maps, lot-line adjustments, lot mergers, and related land-development actions inside Campbell city limits.

    • Projects are subject to the Subdivision Map Act, Campbell Municipal Code, and other applicable regulations; public improvements and access conditions may be imposed.
    “Any proposal to subdivide property or modify existing property lines is subject to the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, the Campbell Municipal Code, and any other applicable regulations:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Campbell building-permit applications.

    • Applicants must use the MGO online system, create an account, upload required documents, and use the correct application group; land-use approval is generally required before a building permit for commercial construction.
    “Create an account in our user portal MGO Connect platform and Apply for your permits by uploading all the documents required.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Campbell or Santa Clara County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder treatment for building construction inside Campbell city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Campbell residential districts.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes inside Campbell city limits.
  • Well permit — Private well permitting inside Campbell city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Potential agricultural exemptions inside Campbell city limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Campbell publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Santa Clara County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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