Los Gatos has a written policy for work done without a permit, and it starts with an inspection report from a professional before the Town looks at anything. Here is how legalizing unpermitted work goes in Los Gatos, what the Town charges, and why owners of pre-2020 units should cite state law rather than the Town code.
- The Town's fee schedule charges double the current application fee for work completed without a permit.
- Its written policy starts with a special inspection report from an architect, engineer or home inspector.
- The Town says inspectors may need walls opened at final inspection.
- The Town's ADU code still uses a January 1, 2018 cutoff, but state law covers units built before January 1, 2020.
What Los Gatos charges
The Town's FY 2026-27 fee schedule lists "Applications for Work Unlawfully Completed" at double the current application fee. The schedule does not say whether that doubling reaches plan review, trade permits or planning fees, and the Town's older written policy describes the process without a penalty, so get the number from the Building Division in writing before you budget.
How the Town's process works
The Town's Work Without a Permit policy has the owner hire an architect, engineer or home inspector to inspect the unpermitted work and write a report, which goes in with the permit application. Once the permit is issued, a Town building inspector makes the final inspection to verify that report, and the policy says plainly that "Discovery may be necessary at inspection (opening walls, etc.)." Plan for some opening, and agree the scope with the inspector before work starts.
ADUs built before 2020
The Town's own ADU code has a legalization section for units built before January 1, 2018. State law (Government Code 66311.7) moved that date to January 1, 2020: a city may not deny a permit to legalize an ADU or junior ADU built before then unless it fails the state health and safety standard. The Town has been working on a rewrite of its ADU rules. Until it is adopted, a unit built in 2018 or 2019 should rely on the state law directly. See our guide to California's ADU amnesty.
What it usually takes
Expect the professional's report, as-built drawings, plan review, and inspections. The correction work the inspector finds is usually the bigger cost, more than the doubled fee. Hillside lots and older homes can add structural and drainage questions, so we look at the site before pricing.
How we handle it
We pull the Town's permit record, look at the work in person, coordinate the inspection report and drawings, and carry the job through the Town's final inspection. For other nearby cities, see the penalty rules by city.