Kitchen wall removal in Mountain View, CA

First question: does it carry load?

A wall that holds up ceiling joists or roof framing needs a replacement beam sized by an engineer. A partition that carries nothing can often come out with routine framing work. Only a look at the framing above settles it.

Utilities inside the wall

Switches, outlets, supply lines, drains and heating ducts often run through the wall that is coming out. Relocating them is part of the scope and part of the permit.

Plan review time

Structural changes get full plan review, and the City's comment cycle is longer for renovations: about three weeks per review round, compared with three business days for like-for-like work. Building that time into the schedule avoids idle crews.

Structural terms

Header: a short beam over an opening. Flush beam: a beam set within the ceiling plane. Drop beam: one that hangs below the ceiling. Point load: weight concentrated where a post lands. Shoring: temporary supports that hold the structure while the wall is removed.

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

How long does a permit to remove a kitchen wall take in Mountain View?

The City lists 2 to 3 months as the typical time to receive a permit for a kitchen renovation that removes walls.

Can I remove a wall in a post-and-beam house?

Often, because many interior walls carry little roof load, but some brace the house against lateral forces. An engineer or an experienced remodeler confirms before demolition.