Areas Served
Trusted Contractors in Santa Clara
Brother and Brother Builders is proud to be the go-to contractor in Santa Clara, CA, for homeowners looking to upgrade, expand, or reimagine their living space. We understand the architectural diversity and permitting requirements unique to Santa Clara homes and neighborhoods.
Santa Clara Homes
Remodels Planned Around Santa Clara Rules
In Santa Clara, the size of your project decides how it gets reviewed. That’s why we:
- Check whether a second story or larger addition triggers an Architectural Review hearing.
- Confirm whether your home is on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory before design starts.
- Look at the Pre-Approved ADU Plans Program first when you’re adding a backyard unit.
Cities Near Santa Clara We Also Serve
- San Jose – As Silicon Valley’s largest city, San Jose offers a variety of housing, from downtown condos to hillside homes. We deliver kitchen remodels, whole-house upgrades, and smart home solutions that fit this dynamic, tech-driven environment.
- Sunnyvale – This thriving residential hub is ideal for growing families and professionals. We specialize in open-concept remodels, energy-efficient upgrades, and ADU construction for flexible living in Sunnyvale.
- Cupertino – Home to Apple HQ, Cupertino combines modern architecture with established neighborhoods. Our team handles everything from complete rebuilds to kitchen and bathroom renovations that match the area’s contemporary style.
- Los Gatos – Nestled near the foothills, Los Gatos is known for luxury homes and historical character. We provide high-end remodels, custom home builds, and additions that honor the community’s aesthetic.
- Saratoga – With spacious properties and unique zoning, Saratoga homeowners benefit from our experience navigating design standards, permits, and upscale renovation requirements.
Expert Remodeling Services
Why Santa Clara Homeowners Choose
Brother and Brother Builders
- Permit-Compliant Construction: We navigate Santa Clara’s complex building codes and ensure every project passes inspection with ease.
- Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Our team incorporates sustainable building practices and energy-saving features tailored to California standards.
- Licensed, Bonded, and Insured: Clients gain peace of mind knowing they’re working with a fully credentialed contractor committed to professional workmanship.
- Local Expertise: With more than 1,000 projects since 2006, including work across Santa Clara’s diverse neighborhoods, we understand zoning laws, architectural styles, and homeowner needs.
- Transparent Estimates and Planning: Our process includes in-depth consultations, line-item estimates, and clearly defined project milestones to ensure clarity from start to finish.
- Dedicated Project Management: From permits to punch lists, our in-house team coordinates every detail to deliver results on time and on budget.
Remodeling Services Tailored for Santa Clara Homes
Kitchen Remodeling
Our kitchen remodeling services enhance the heart of your home. We provide thoughtful kitchen design, high-quality kitchen cabinets, durable countertops, clean backsplash installations, and smart cabinet refacing options.
Bathroom Remodeling
From simple updates to full luxury transformations, our bathroom remodeling includes shower remodels, tub-to-shower conversions, vanity replacement, and modern bathroom design with function in mind.
Home Remodeling
Whole-home home remodeling services include interior painting, drywall repair, flooring installation, tile replacement, and interior decorating.
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Room & Home Additions
Add more living space with room additions tailored for growing families. We offer garage conversions, second-story additions, and ADU construction that comply with Santa Clara zoning regulations.
New Home Construction
Build your dream home in Santa Clara with our new home construction expertise. Services include custom homes, green building, modern home design, smart upgrades, and floor plan development.
Design & Build
Our all-in-one design-build model streamlines the entire process. We handle architectural services, detailed 3D home designs, open-concept remodeling, and walk-in closet design.
Santa Clara Building Permits and ADU Rules
Permits in Santa Clara are issued by the City of Santa Clara Building Division, part of the Community Development Department, through its Permit Center at City Hall, 1500 Warburton Avenue. The City requires a building permit before you erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, repair, improve, convert or demolish a building or structure. Smaller outdoor projects are covered too:
| Project | Permit needed when |
|---|---|
| Decks | Over 30 inches high |
| Sheds | Over 120 square feet (any new electrical work needs a permit regardless of size) |
| Fences | Over 7 feet high |
| Retaining walls | More than 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall |
| Patio covers | Permit required |
A few rules that shape a Santa Clara remodel schedule:
- Online only. All applications and plans are submitted electronically through the Permitting Online Portal.
- Current codes. Applications received on or after January 1, 2026 are reviewed under the 2025 California codes, including the Residential, Energy and Green Building Standards codes.
- Simple vs. regular permits. Some residential projects qualify for a Building Simple Permit, which the City says is usually approved within 1-2 business days. Everything else goes through regular plan review.
- Expiration. Permits stay valid for 365 days from issuance or the last passed inspection, so a stalled project can lose its permit.
For ADU construction, Santa Clara runs a Pre-Approved ADU Plans Program. The lot must be zoned residential with an existing single-family home or duplex, and it cannot be in a flood zone or on a historic property. With a complete site-specific plan set, the City says plan review is done within 10 business days of receiving the fee payment. Larger changes to a pre-approved plan can disqualify it from expedited review. Source: City of Santa Clara Building Permit Information and Pre-Approved ADU Plans.
Santa Clara's Mission-Era Roots, Historic Homes and Design Review
Santa Clara grew up around Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded in 1777, and Santa Clara University, established on the mission grounds in 1851. For about a century the local economy centered on orchards and vegetable farms. The semiconductor industry that took root around 1960 changed the city, and little of its agricultural past remains. Source: Wikipedia: Santa Clara, California.
That history shows up in remodel planning in two ways:
- Historic status. The City keeps a Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) of architecturally or historically significant properties, with an interactive HRI Map. The City notes that many structures have never been surveyed, so the list is not complete. Demolition or alterations to an HRI property go to a public Development Review Hearing, and applicants may need a qualified historic consultant. Source: Historic Properties & Preservation.
- Design review for bigger homes. Architectural Review applies to new development, remodels and exterior changes. A single-family project goes to a hearing instead of staff review if it adds a new second story or expands an existing one, results in five or more bedrooms or bathrooms, or adds two or more bedrooms with direct exterior access. Plans are checked against the City’s Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines. Source: Architectural Review.
If you are weighing a second-story addition or a larger room addition, check your parcel on the City’s zoning and HRI maps first. Those two answers decide whether design review is handled by staff or at a hearing.
Areas We Serve
Brother & Brother Builders
3109 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117
Phone: (888) 412-2632
Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM – 5PM
Most remodeling projects in Santa Clara—including room additions, structural changes, and garage conversions—require permits from the city’s Building Division. We handle all necessary paperwork and inspections to ensure your project stays compliant.
Kitchen and bathroom remodels in Santa Clara typically take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the scope, material availability, and permitting process. We’ll provide a detailed timeline during your consultation.
Yes. We regularly work with Santa Clara homeowners’ associations and are familiar with their design guidelines, approval processes, and documentation requirements for exterior and structural renovations.
Yes. Santa Clara allows ADU construction on qualifying lots. Our team will assess your property, guide you through city regulations, and design an ADU that meets your needs and local codes.
As licensed remodeling contractors familiar with Santa Clara neighborhoods, we offer local insight, code knowledge, and a streamlined design-build process that minimizes delays and surprises.
Absolutely. We specialize in green remodeling options, including smart home upgrades, energy-efficient windows, low-VOC materials, and solar-ready electrical planning tailored to Santa Clara’s sustainability goals.
Usually yes. Under the City’s Architectural Review rules, a single-family project that adds a new second story or expands an existing one goes to a Development Review Hearing. So do projects that result in five or more bedrooms or bathrooms. Hearings are held on scheduled Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Many smaller remodels are reviewed by staff without a hearing.
Possibly. The City’s Pre-Approved ADU Plans Program requires a residentially zoned lot with an existing single-family home or duplex, and the lot cannot be in a flood zone or be a historic property. You still need a site-specific plan set. If it is complete, the City says plan review is done within 10 business days of receiving the fee payment.
Check the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) and its interactive HRI Map, or ask the Planning Division at 408-615-2450. Demolition or alterations to an HRI property go to a public Development Review Hearing, and HRI properties cannot use the pre-approved ADU program. The City notes many buildings have never been surveyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Clara Permit and Remodeling Questions
Have questions about remodeling your home? We’ve got answers. From budgeting and timelines to permits and design choices, our FAQs cover the most common concerns. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how we make your remodel smooth, transparent, and stress-free.
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