San Marino houses and what that means for a remodel
San Marino is a city of about 12,500 people (2020 census) on 3.77 square miles, incorporated in 1913 and almost entirely residential. It's divided into seven zones by minimum lot size, from about 4,500 square feet to more than 30,000, and most of its homes were built between 1920 and 1950. That combination shows up in the work: large houses with several baths, original period kitchens and plumbing that has rarely been fully replaced.
What San Marino reviews, and what it doesn't
| Work | Design Review Committee? |
|---|---|
| Interior kitchen or bath remodel | Not typically; building permit |
| Replacement windows from the Pre-Approved Window Material List | No |
| Windows not on that list | Yes |
| Replacement roof material not on the Pre-Approved Roof Material List | Yes |
| One-story addition for a bigger kitchen or bath | Certain ones, yes |
| Any two-story addition | Yes |
| Modifications visible from public view | Certain ones, yes |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
City of San Marino, Planning & Building FAQ, read October 2026. Variances and conditional use permits go to the Planning Commission.
Inspections and planning tools
- Inspection requests through the City's online form, at least 24 hours ahead
- Building inspector office hours 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Monday to Thursday, 626-300-0753
- The Plan Information Sheet calculates maximum livable area and ground coverage before you plan an addition
- Variances and conditional use permits go to the Planning Commission under strict findings
Typical San Marino kitchen and bath projects
Larger houses tend to mean bigger scopes: a primary bathroom rebuilt with a double vanity and a larger shower, a period kitchen replaced or restored, and powder rooms and secondary baths brought up to the same standard. The kitchen remodel page covers the circuits and ventilation most period kitchens lack. Published prices for the area are on the bathroom and kitchen cost pages, and the neighboring permit offices are compared in the permit guide.