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Location:
285 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto CA 94301
Telephone:
Phone: 650-329-2496
Fax: 650-329-2240
Hours:
Hours
M-F 8:00 am-noon, 1:00--4:00pm
Wed. open at 9:00am
Building Permits

A building permit is required before you undertake most types of construction. On this page you will find application forms and information, as well as additional information you may need to submit prior to obtaining a building permit, or starting construction. For more regulations that may affect your project during construction, including permits or plans you may be required to submit before you commence certain types of work, visit our “During Construction” page.

On this page:

1. Most used forms and information
2. Other forms and information commonly needed for building permit submittal
3. Permit fees
4. Tree protection forms and tree information
5. Public Works Department specifications (e.g. sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacement)
6. Flood zone information
7. Utility Forms and Handouts

1. Most Used
Below are the most commonly used forms and information when applying for a building permit.
Building Permit Application
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Building Permit Plan Revision
Revision Date: 01/16/2008
Demolition Permit Application
Revision Date: 07/21/2008
Reroofing Permit
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Single Family Construction Guide (City of Palo Alto)
Revision Date: 01/16/2008
Single Family New Home/Addition Plan Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 05/16/2008
Tenant Improvement Checklist
Revision Date: 01/16/2008
Use and Occupancy Certificate Application
Revision Date: 07/25/2007
Use and Occupancy Information
Revision Date: 11/06/2007
2. Other Forms
Other forms you may need when applying for a building permit:
Utility load sheets and temporary utility requests
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Address Change
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Development and Construction Near Streams - Guidelines and Standards
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Grading and Drainage Guidelines for New Single-Family Residences
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Green Building Guidelines for New Homes (2005)
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Green Points Checklist 2005 (Excel format)
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Green Points Checklist 2005 (PDF)
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Handicap Hardship Exception
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Hazardous Materials Disclosure Statement
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Hazardous Materials Inventory
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Impervious Area Calculation Worksheet
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Outside Plan Check
Revision Date: 08/06/2008
Overview of the Fire and Building Permit Process
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Permit Expiration Policy
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Plan Set Requirements
The number of plan set you must provide depends on a number of conditions. This worksheet will help you to determine how may plan sets you must supply.
Revision Date: 01/16/2008
Public Works Department Information for Residential Construction
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Special Inspection & Testing Forms
Revision Date: 02/06/2008
Water Heater Information
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Wildfire High-Risk Areas - Building Regulations and Products
Revision Date: 02/25/2008
3. Fees
Building Fees
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Electrical Permit Fees
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Fire and Hazardous Materials Fees
Revision Date: 08/16/2007
Mechanical Fees
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Plumbing Fees
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Public Works
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Utility Connections: Dark Fiber Connection Fees
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Utility Connections: Electric Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Utility Connections: Gas Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Utility Connections: Sewer Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Utility Connections: Water Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
4. Tree Protection
Forms and information related to trees on the property:
Chapter 8:10 Tree Preservation and Management Regulations
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Frequently Asked Tree Questions
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Inspection Schedule
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Overview
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
SD#503 - Street Tree Well Detail - Sidewalk Location
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#504 - Street Tree Detail - Planter Strip Location
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Street Tree Verification
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Tree Disclosure Statement
Revision Date: 06/08/2006
Tree Grate Installation Details
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Tree Protection during Construction - Detail 605
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Tree Protection Instruction Sheet T-1
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Tree Protection Specifications
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Tree Protection Warning Sign
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Tree Technical Manual
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
5. Public Works Specifications
Driveway Approach Design & Construction Requirements
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Paving of Parking Areas Adjacent to Edge of Pavement in Unimproved Street Areas
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#120 - Driveway Approach Detail for Vertical Curb
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#121 - Driveway Approach Detail for Rolled Curb
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#133 - Vertical Curb and Gutter Detail
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#134 - Rolled Curb and Gutter Detail
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#141 - Sidewalk Construction Detail
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#301 - Catchbasin for Type A Curb
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#301 - Catchbasin Hood Frame and Grate
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#302- Catchbasin for Type B Curb
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#311 - Storm Drain Manhole Frame and Cover
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#312 - Storm Drain Manhole
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#321 - Curb Outlet Detail for Gravity Flow
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
SD#401 - Trench Detail
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Special Paving Treatments of Public Sidewalks
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
6. Flood Zone
FEMA Elevation Certificate
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Is my property in a flood zone?
Revision Date: 06/16/2007
Lateral Additions to Structures in the SFHA Handout
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements (Detached Garage)
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements (Slab Floor)
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Request for Temporary Elevation Benchmark
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Residential Structure Value Determination Worksheet
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Special Building Requirements for Structures in a SFHA
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Substantial Improvement and Market Value Definitions
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
7. Utility Forms and Handouts
Electrical Load Sheet - Multi-Family and Commercial
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Electrical Load Sheet - Single-Family Residential - Overhead Electric Service
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Electrical Load Sheet - Single-Family Residential - Underground Electric Service
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Temporary Electrical Service - Overhead
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Temporary Electrical Service - Underground
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Water-Gas-Wastewater Utility Load Sheet
Revision Date: 08/29/2007
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