Small kitchen remodel in Redwood City, CA

Storage that works harder

Drawers in the base cabinets bring contents within reach. Upper cabinets that run to the ceiling add a shelf for seldom-used items. A narrow pull-out beside the range holds oils and spices, and toe-kick drawers use the space at floor level.

Right-sized appliances

An 18-inch dishwasher, a 24- or 30-inch range, a counter-depth refrigerator and a combination microwave and hood all save inches. Check door swings against nearby walls and other doors before ordering.

Small-kitchen terms

Counter-depth: a refrigerator built to sit nearly flush with standard 24-inch-deep cabinets. Appliance garage: a counter-level cabinet with a door that hides small appliances. Tall pantry: a full-height cabinet fitted with roll-out shelves. Scribe: trimming a cabinet or panel edge to fit an uneven wall.

Permits in Redwood City

Redwood City requires a building permit for any work that section 105.2 of the California Building Code does not exempt; the City's FAQ names painting, flooring and similar finish work as typical exempt residential items.
Applications are filed online through the City's eTRAKiT portal. Residential interior remodels can qualify for One-Stop plan review, in which Building Division staff review the plans with the applicant at City Hall.
The City says plan review takes 6 to 24 weeks depending on scope. A permit is valid for 365 days from issuance, and each passed inspection extends it another 365 days.

City of Redwood City Building Division · (650) 780-7350, [email protected]

Common questions

Can a small kitchen fit a full-size refrigerator?

Usually, if it is counter-depth and the door clears nearby walls. The remodeler measures this before the layout is set.

Does a small remodel need a permit?

The same rules apply at any size: finish work usually doesn't, while new circuits, moved plumbing or wall changes do.