Galley kitchen remodel in Mountain View, CA

Getting more from the corridor

Full-height pantry pull-outs at one end, deep drawers in place of base shelves, under-cabinet lights and one continuous counter material make the room work harder without moving walls.

Aisle width

Mountain View's kitchen requirements call for at least 36 inches of clear passage between counter fronts and appliances or walls. In a narrow galley, appliance sizes and door swings matter as much as the cabinet plan.

Opening one side

Removing one wall can turn the galley into a peninsula kitchen facing the dining area. If the wall carries load, it needs engineering, and every utility inside it has to be rerouted.

Galley terms

Pass-through: an opening cut into the wall between kitchen and dining room. Counter-depth refrigerator: a model that sits nearly flush with the cabinets. Pull-out pantry: a tall cabinet that slides out on rails. Single-wall conversion: rebuilding a galley as one run of cabinets. Swing clearance: the space a door needs to open fully.

Permits in Mountain View

Mountain View requires a building permit, issued before construction starts, for any kitchen remodel that replaces the cabinets. Replacing countertops or refacing the existing cabinets does not need one.
Depending on the scope, separate electrical or plumbing permits may apply, and replacing a range hood that vents outdoors needs a mechanical permit. The application includes an 11-by-17-inch plan of the existing and proposed kitchen and an electrical load calculation.
If the remodel changes the outside of the house, the Planning Division reviews it before the building submittal. The City lists about 5 business days to receive a permit for a like-for-like replacement and 2 to 3 months for a renovation that removes walls.

City of Mountain View Building Division · 500 Castro Street, (650) 903-6313

Common questions

Should I keep my galley layout?

If one person usually cooks, a well-planned galley is efficient and avoids structural work. Opening a wall makes sense when you want the kitchen connected to the living space.

What is the minimum aisle in a galley?

Mountain View's kitchen requirements list a 36-inch minimum clear passageway between counter fronts and appliances or walls.