14 permits · verified 2026-10-09
What permits do you need to open a auto repair shop in San Mateo County?
In short
A auto repair shop in San Mateo County, CA has 1 permit that applies to every business of this type, plus 13 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division charges $20 per filing, biennial for the statement of information (llc). 8 of the 14 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-09 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a auto repair shop in San Mateo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | The annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount. | annual | 2026-10-09 |
| Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount. | annual | 2026-10-09 |
| Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services | The annual fee, charged for the first underground tank and each additional tank, and for aboveground petroleum storage by tier of total capacity, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount. | annual | 2026-10-09 |
| Weighing and Measuring Device Registrationonly if it applies to you | San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures | Location fee: $120 for each business location (or each vehicle) with at least one weighing or measuring device, plus a device fee: computing scales and electronic counter scales interfaced with a cash register or point-of-sale system $25 each (total annual fee capped at $1,200 per location); weighing devices of 100 to under 2,000 lb capacity $50 each; jewelry and prescription scales $80 each; wholesale and vehicle meters $75 each; stationary and truck-mounted CNG and LPG meters $185 each; all other commercial weighing or measuring devices $26 each (total capped at $1,200 per location). A late charge of 50% of the registration fee may apply when payment is more than 60 days after the invoice. A state administrative fee per device is also billed. | calendar year; permits expire December 31 (Ordinance Code §5.124.010(c)) | 2026-10-09 |
| Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire Marshal | Each annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount. | annual | 2026-10-09 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
Local permits that apply to every type of business in San Mateo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Planning and Building Department | Varies — formula on the San Mateo County page | per project (one-time) | 2026-10-09 |
| Use Permit / Kennel-Cattery Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to you | San Mateo County Planning and Building Department | Varies — formula on the San Mateo County page | per permit; renewals and inspections billed when due | 2026-10-09 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
CA registrations that apply to every type of business
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $20 per filing, biennial | biennial | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $70 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due biennially | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $100 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due annually | 2026-09-03 |
| Statement of Information (Corporation)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $25 per filing, annual | annual | 2026-09-03 |
| Seller's Permitonly if it applies to you | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | No fee — no fee to apply | no expiry while actively engaged in business as a seller | 2026-09-03 |
| Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxonly if it applies to you | California Franchise Tax Board | Varies — formula on the CA page | annual, until the entity is cancelled | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — California position (city or county, not state) | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | No fee | set by the issuing city or county | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
How much does it actually cost to permit a auto repair shop in San Mateo County?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 14 records listed for a auto repair shop in San Mateo County, CA, 1 apply to every business of this type and 13 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.
8 of the 14 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 1 has no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:
Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA): The annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.
Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA): The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.
Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA): The annual fee, charged for the first underground tank and each additional tank, and for aboveground petroleum storage by tier of total capacity, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.
Weighing and Measuring Device Registration: Location fee: $120 for each business location (or each vehicle) with at least one weighing or measuring device, plus a device fee: computing scales and electronic counter scales interfaced with a cash register or point-of-sale system $25 each (total annual fee capped at $1,200 per location); weighing devices of 100 to under 2,000 lb capacity $50 each; jewelry and prescription scales $80 each; wholesale and vehicle meters $75 each; stationary and truck-mounted CNG and LPG meters $185 each; all other commercial weighing or measuring devices $26 each (total capped at $1,200 per location). A late charge of 50% of the registration fee may apply when payment is more than 60 days after the invoice. A state administrative fee per device is also billed.
Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area): Each annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount.
The other 3 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page.
Which offices issue these permits in San Mateo County?
Permits for a auto repair shop in San Mateo County, CA come from 7 separate offices: San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures, San Mateo County Planning and Building Department, San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire Marshal, California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Franchise Tax Board. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.
- San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesIssues 3 permits on this page: Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA), Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA), Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA)2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403 · (650) 372-6200smcehs.my.site.com/s/?language=en_US
- San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and MeasuresIssues 1 permit on this page: Weighing and Measuring Device Registrationwww.smcgov.org/agwm/device-and-point-sale-system-registration
- San Mateo County Planning and Building DepartmentIssues 2 permits on this page: Building Permit (unincorporated area), Use Permit / Kennel-Cattery Permit (unincorporated area)455 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 · (650) 363-4161www.smcgov.org/planning/fees
- San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire MarshalIssues 1 permit on this page: Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area)(650) 345-1612www.smcgov.org/san-mateo-county-fire
- California Secretary of State, Business Programs DivisionIssues 5 permits on this page, including Statement of Information (LLC), Articles of Organization (LLC), Articles of Incorporation(916) 657-5448bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
- California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationIssues 1 permit on this page: Seller's Permitonlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov
- California Franchise Tax BoardIssues 1 permit on this page: Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxwww.ftb.ca.gov
What does a auto repair shop need in San Mateo County that other businesses do not?
Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA)
San Mateo County Environmental Health Services' CUPA page says EHS 'was designated by the State Secretary for Environmental Protection as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for San Mateo County in 1996', and that a facility regulated under any CUPA program must 'obtain a permit by registering your facility with San Mateo County Environmental Health Services'; reports are filed electronically through the state's CERS system. An auto-repair shop or a contractor's yard storing fuels, oils, solvents or compressed gases at or above the state thresholds files a Hazardous Materials Business Plan, as does a restaurant or coffee shop whose carbon dioxide beverage system reaches the threshold. The annual fee is tiered by quantity stored under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule, which adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Because the CUPA is countywide, the permit comes from EHS in every city and the unincorporated area.
Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA)
An auto-repair shop or contractor with an underground fuel or waste-oil tank needs an Underground Storage Tank permit, and one storing petroleum in aboveground tanks at or above the state threshold falls under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act program; the EHS CUPA page lists both among the countywide CUPA programs it runs. Underground tanks are charged for the first tank and each additional tank, and aboveground storage by tier of total capacity, under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule, which adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901; §5.64.070 also charges the EHS fee for plan review of new or modified tanks. Because the CUPA is countywide, the permit comes from EHS in every city and the unincorporated area.
Weighing and Measuring Device Registration
The county's Device and Point-of-Sale System Registration page says that 'Any device used to weigh or measure products or services for direct sale must be an approved type and annually registered with the County Department of Weights and Measures', naming gasoline pumps, grocery and deli counter scales and other devices. A deli, coffee shop or store selling by weight, or an auto-repair shop with fuel-dispensing meters, therefore registers each device; a business that sells nothing by weight or measure has no device to register. Under Ordinance Code §5.124.010 the permit expires December 31 and must be renewed by March 1. The figures are from §5.124.020 as amended by Ordinance 4896 (19 November 2024), which is in force; Business and Professions Code §12240 is the state authority for county device registration fees.
Shared with other businesses in San Mateo County
- Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA) — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, The annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount., annual. Also required for salons and barbers, veterinary clinics and contractors and trades; what it involves is set out on the contractors and trades page.
- Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area) — San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire Marshal, Each annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount., annual. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios page.
The other 2 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in San Mateo County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the San Mateo County permits page. The 7 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across CA and are covered on the CA state page.
How does a auto repair shop compare with other businesses in San Mateo County?
The closest match is a contractor or trade, which shares 3 of these permits. A auto repair shop also needs Weighing and Measuring Device Registration and Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area). A contractor or trade needs Contractor License, which a auto repair shop does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a auto repair shop | Only a auto repair shop needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractors and trades | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Restaurants | 9 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Coffee shops | 10 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Fitness studios | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Veterinary clinics | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Salons and barbers | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Food trucks | 7 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Retail stores | 10 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Childcare centres | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
Sources
Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the contractors and trades page and fitness studios page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Environmental Health Services FeesSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Ordinance No. 4901 — amending the Environmental Health Services fee schedule and authorizing automatic annual adjustment (adopted 10 December 2024)San Mateo County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.64 — Fees for Enforcement of State Public Health LawsCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Hazardous Materials Program / Countywide Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.124 — Registration Fees for Weighing and Measuring DevicesCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- Device and Point-of-Sale System RegistrationSan Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
- California Business and Professions Code §12240California Legislative Information · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.