County or equivalent · 06081
San Mateo County, California
Annual housing permits and reporting coverage
- Published estimate · 2025
- 2,216
- Reported only · 2025
- 2,043
- Added by estimation · 2025
- 173
Reported and estimated units by year
| Year and source | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Census file | 1,173 | 1,067 | 106 |
| 2024 Census file | 1,088 | 993 | 95 |
| 2025 Census file | 2,216 | 2,043 | 173 |
2024 to 2025 · published estimate +1,128 units · reported only +1,050 · added by estimation +78. This split describes the difference between the published columns.
What types of housing were authorized?
| Units in building | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| One unit | 457 | 426 | 31 |
| Two units | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| Three or four units | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Five or more units | 1,708 | 1,566 | 142 |
Local housing and rent context
| Measure | Estimate and margin |
|---|---|
| Housing units · Census table B25001 | 287,184 ± 144 |
| Median gross monthly rent · Census table B25064 | $2,922 ± $40 |
| Gross rent at least 30% of income · Census table B25070 | 48.4% ± 1.4 percentage points |
| Gross rent at least 50% of income | 24.9% ± 1.1 percentage points |
| Estimated households with a computed rent-to-income ratio | 105,260 |
The 2025 permit estimate amounts to 7.7 authorized units per 1,000 housing units in the ACS estimate. The numerator and denominator cover different periods.
The Vintage 2025 Census housing stock estimate changed from 290,639 in 2024 to 292,930 in 2025 (+2,291 units). This is a separate model-based inventory estimate.
Permit offices listed under this county code
Use the office pages for their own histories and source coverage notes.
- Atherton townPermit office 06022000 · San Mateo County · 22 authorized units
- BelmontPermit office 06036000 · San Mateo County · 3 authorized units
- BrisbanePermit office 06050000 · San Mateo County · 2 authorized units
- BurlingamePermit office 06053000 · San Mateo County · 13 authorized units
- Colma townPermit office 06083000 · San Mateo County · 0 authorized units
- Daly CityPermit office 06104000 · San Mateo County · 244 authorized units
- East Palo AltoPermit office 06122000 · San Mateo County · 5 authorized units
- Foster CityPermit office 06147000 · San Mateo County · 7 authorized units
- Half Moon BayPermit office 06169000 · San Mateo County · 16 authorized units
- Hillsborough townPermit office 06181000 · San Mateo County · 43 authorized units
- Menlo ParkPermit office 06265000 · San Mateo County · 66 authorized units
- MillbraePermit office 06269000 · San Mateo County · 150 authorized units
- PacificaPermit office 06316000 · San Mateo County · 8 authorized units
- Portola Valley townPermit office 06347000 · San Mateo County · 8 authorized units
- Redwood CityPermit office 06356000 · San Mateo County · 236 authorized units
- San BrunoPermit office 06381000 · San Mateo County · 366 authorized units
- San CarlosPermit office 06383000 · San Mateo County · 33 authorized units
- San MateoPermit office 06402000 · San Mateo County · 197 authorized units
- San Mateo County Unincorporated AreaPermit office 06403000 · San Mateo County · 183 authorized units
- South San FranciscoPermit office 06448000 · San Mateo County · 585 authorized units
- Woodside townPermit office 06508000 · San Mateo County · 29 authorized units
Sources and definitions
How to read these figures
- The Census Building Permits Survey counts new privately owned housing units authorized by permits. One permit can cover multiple units. The counts describe authorizations, a stage before starts and completions.
- The published estimate includes reported units and Census estimates that fill gaps. The difference is calculated from those two columns. Reported-only units can include records from approved alternative sources. A missing report can leave an office without a usable count.
- County and state totals come from their own Census files. Permit offices can cover places across county lines or areas served by another jurisdiction. The office’s county field is used for navigation.
- ACS housing inventory and rents are survey estimates for 2020–2024. Gross rent includes rent and separately paid utilities or fuels. Rent burden is the share paying at least 30% of income among cash-rent households with a computed ratio. Margins are at 90% confidence. The margin for rent burden is approximate.
- Vintage 2025 county housing stock is a separate Census series. Its model uses building-permit data alongside other inputs. Read stock change and permits as separate measures.
Public sources retrieved November 10, 2026. Building Permits Survey annual data · Survey methodology · American Community Survey data · Download the comparison