Gutters and Roofing in San Mateo County
From Daly City in the north to Portola Valley in the south, between the bay shore and the Pacific coast at Half Moon Bay. Family-owned since 2002.
San Mateo County, in short
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in San Mateo County?
Yes. Inside most cities and towns, the city or town’s own building department issues it. In the unincorporated areas of the county, the County’s Planning and Building Department does. If you wish, we can also pull the permit for you.
The story of San Mateo County
From the bay shore, over the ridges, to the Pacific coast.
San Mateo County was formed on April 19, 1856, out of the southern part of what was then San Francisco County.
In 1769 the Portolá expedition climbed Sweeney Ridge, between San Bruno and Pacifica, and saw San Francisco Bay for the first time. The County’s Ohlone-Portolá Heritage Trail Project is planning a trail along the expedition’s route, and says its work will include telling the history of the Ohlone people who lived in the area and supported the expedition.
The county’s first sawmill was built in 1847 by Charles Brown, on the banks of Alambique Creek near Woodside. In the County’s account, the Peninsula’s redwoods helped to build a booming San Francisco.
By 1864 daily trains ran along the Peninsula from San Francisco to San Jose, and wealthy businessmen began to buy large tracts of land to build estates.
Fire safety
Your fire department sets its own rules
The County says: “San Mateo County has numerous fire departments throughout the County, each with specific fire code and building code requirements.”
Roofs and gutters kept clear
CAL FIRE’s defensible space page tells owners to “Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.”
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The County’s fire hazard severity zone map
The County’s Fire Severity Zones page shows “The Official Map of the San Mateo County Fire Department Fire Hazard Severity Zones”. The map file is a State Fire Marshal map of the unincorporated Local Responsibility Area, dated February 24, 2025.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
Need a hand with this? Gutter guards
Culture and history
The Sanchez Adobe, Pacifica
The State’s marker says the adobe was built in 1842-46 and that the County of San Mateo bought it in 1947 to preserve it as a public museum. The County’s page says the San Mateo County Historical Association operates it for the Department of Parks.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
The Woodside Store
The State’s marker says the store was built in 1854 among sawmills and redwood groves, and that the County opened it as a public museum on September 7, 1947.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
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Pigeon Point Light Station
The State’s marker says the brick lighthouse was built to incorporate a French first-order Fresnel lens, and that it first flashed over the Pacific in November 1872.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
Community
County parks and trails
The County Parks Department says: “We operate 24 separate parks, encompassing over 16,000 acres, and 190 miles of county and local trails, including three regional trails.”
Checked Oct 14, 2026
The San Mateo County Fair
The Fair’s own history page says it began in 1926 as the “Little Flower Show”, and that its primary mission is to promote and educate the community about culture, technology, the science of agriculture, horticulture, arts, and sustainability.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
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CuriOdyssey, Coyote Point
CuriOdyssey describes itself as a non-profit science museum and zoo, and says that in partnership with San Mateo County Parks it has helped children learn about and care for the natural world at its science playground and zoo in Coyote Point Park.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
County rules
The County’s re-roof permit fee
In the unincorporated areas, the County’s fee schedule lists a re-roofing permit at $197 for the first 1,000 sq. ft. and $119 for each additional 1,000 sq. ft. or fraction.
Fee schedule effective April 1, 2026
A form to waive the tear-off inspection
The County’s re-roof page offers a form to ask that the tear-off inspection on a re-roof be waived. It does not waive the roof nailing inspection when new sheathing goes on, and the owner and the contractor both sign.
County form updated May 23, 2023
Need a hand with this? Roof installation
Storms, flood and drainage
Rain, from the bay to the coast
NOAA’s 1991-2020 yearly normals at the county’s weather stations run from 19.02 inches at Redwood City, by the bay, to 31.88 inches at Pacifica, on the coast.
Most of it November to March
About 80 percent of the year’s rain falls from November through March, according to the County’s 2021 hazard plan.
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Clear gutters and downspouts before winter
OneShoreline, the county’s flood district, tells households: “Clear leaves from gutters, downspouts, and the storm drain nearest your home.” The County’s Public Works tips say: “Check roof drains and down spouts to make sure they are clear of debris.”
Heavy rain meets high tides
The County’s 2021 hazard plan says the County is already exposed to coastal flooding when large rain events coincide with high tides on the San Francisco Bay.
Need a hand with this? Gutter cleaning
Programs, loans and insurance
Free sandbags in the unincorporated areas
County residents in unincorporated areas may pick up pre-made sandbags (limit 15 per winter season) free of charge, and the County provides loose sand and bags around the clock for people to fill their own. Inside city limits, each city has its own site.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
Rain barrel rebates
BAWSCA and participating water agencies offer rebates of up to $200 per rain barrel or cistern. The program’s page says the new rebated amounts are effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for San Mateo County.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
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Free neighborhood chipping
FIRE SAFE San Mateo County’s Neighborhood Chipper Program works on a “you cut, we chip” model: residents cut, gather and pile vegetation from around their homes at a roadside location, and chipping crews do the rest at no cost. Neighborhoods are chosen using a risk-and-asset model for communities in unincorporated areas. It does not take loose leaves, pine needles or yard clippings.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
Free home assessments in the Woodside district
Woodside Fire Protection District says it “offers a very detailed home assessment of residential properties”, and: “This is a complimentary service that we offer to all residents in our district.” The district’s pages name Woodside, Portola Valley, Emerald Hills, Ladera, Los Trancos, Skyline and Vista Verde.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
No-cost minor home repairs
Rebuilding Together Peninsula, a nonprofit, says its Safe at Home service “is provided at no cost to qualifying homeowners”. Its application page asks for a home in San Mateo County, the owner’s primary residence, and household income not higher than the county’s “low” limit (80% AMI), and says larger repairs such as roof replacement are typically not covered by its funding.
Checked Oct 14, 2026
Where we work
Towns in San Mateo County
Cities and towns
Atherton
Fire: Menlo Park Fire Protection District
Page on its way
Belmont
Fire: San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department
Page on its way
Brisbane
Fire: North County Fire Authority
Page on its way
Colma
Fire: Colma Fire Protection District
Page on its way
Daly City
Fire: North County Fire Authority
Page on its way
East Palo Alto
Fire: Menlo Park Fire Protection District
Page on its way
Foster City
Fire: San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department
Page on its way
Hillsborough
Fire: Central County Fire Department
Page on its way
Millbrae
Fire: Central County Fire Department
Page on its way
San Bruno
Fire: San Bruno Fire Department
Page on its way
San Carlos
Fire: Redwood City Fire Department
Page on its way
South San Francisco
Fire: South San Francisco Fire Department
Page on its way
Where we work
San Mateo County and the 20 towns we serve
Why homeowners call us
- Family-owned since 2002.
- Licensed, bonded and insured: CSLB #1053780.
- Gutters and roofs, from cleaning and repairs to new installations.
- We cover all nine Bay Area counties.
Our services: gutter services (cleaning · installation · gutter guards) · roofing (roof installation)
What our customers say
Get a free estimate
We reply the same business day. Quotes in Spanish on request. Other counties: Service Areas.