City of Palo Alto Homepage
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Design Element
Contact Us
Location:
285 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto CA 94301
Telephone:
Phone: 650-329-2496
Fax: 650-329-2240
Hours:
WEEKDAYS: Open 8am–4pm
Planning Review

Planning review takes place before building permits are issued, and is intended to ensure new development is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and environment. You will also find information on land use regulations that affect your property.

On this page:

1. Single-family/Duplex Information
2. Multi-family/Commercial Information
3. Subdivision, Parcel Maps, and Certificates of Compliance
4. Regulations for Special and Conditional Uses
5. Trees
6. Fees
7. Maps
8. Baylands Information
9. El Camino Real Design Guidelines
1. Single Family and Duplexes
Forms and information for property owners in single-family and two-family neighborhoods.
Application Form
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Application Withdrawal Form
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Fence Code
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Fences in the Public Right of Way Policy
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Flood Zone Information
Revision Date: 06/16/2007
Grading and Drainage Guidelines for New Single-family Residences
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Hearing Request and Appeal Form
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Home Business Limitations
Revision Date: 08/12/2011
Home Improvement Exception (HIE) Process
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Home Improvement Exception (HIE) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Individual Review (IR) Process
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Individual Review Guidelines
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Individual Review Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Sample Parcel Report
Sample Parcel Report
Revision Date: 11/07/2007
Single-family Zoning Technical Manual
Revision Date: 07/30/2007
Variance Process
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Variance Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
2. Multi-family and Commercial
Forms, applications, and information for multi-family and commercial developments:
Application Form
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Application Withdrawal Form
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Architectural Review (Minor) Process Handout
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Architectural Review (Major) Process Handout
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Architectural Review (Major) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Architectural Review (Minor) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 01/26/2011
Architectural Review (Preliminary) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Architectural Review (Sign) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Commercial Sidewalk Encroachments (including Outdoor Eating Areas)
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Downtown University and California Avenue Special Paving Treatments of Public Sidewalks
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Downtown Urban Design Guidelines: Part 1, pp 1-19
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Downtown Urban Design Guidelines: Part 2, pp 20-56
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Downtown Urban Design Guidelines: Part 3, pp 57-A10
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
El Camino Real Sign Guidelines
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Environmental Impact Assessment Worksheet
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Hearing Request and Appeal Form
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Planned Community Zone Change
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Sign Code
Revision Date: 06/16/2011
Site and Design
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Variance Process Handout
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Variance Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
What uses are allowed in what zone…
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Zone Change
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
3. Subdivisions, Parcel Maps, Certificates of Compliance
Application for Certificate of Compliance
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Certificate of Compliance Submission Checklist
Revision Date: 08/16/2011
Lot Line Adjustment Information
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Lot Line Confirmation Information
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Lot Line Removal Information
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Overview and Guidelines for the Review of Subdivision Projects
Revision Date: 12/03/2007
Soils Report Waiver Form
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
4. Special and Conditional Uses
Accessory Structures - e.g. garages, sheds, A/C units, etc…
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Conditional Use Permit ( CUP) Process
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Development and Construction Near Streams - Guidelines and Standards
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Process and Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Wireless Facilities Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 08/01/2011
Wireless Facilities: Checklist To Determine Whether a Wireless Facility is Categorically Excluded
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
5. Trees
Protected Tree Removal Application Form
Revision Date: 08/29/2007
Protected Tree Removal Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 12/15/2010
Tree Disclosure Statement
Revision Date: 01/31/2012
6. Planning Fees
City of Palo Alto Development Impact Fees
Revision Date: 10/12/2011
Citywide Transportation Impact Fee - Informational Handout
Revision Date: 11/05/2007
Citywide Transportation Impact Fee - Request for Estimate
Revision Date: 11/05/2007
Cost Recovery Agreement
Revision Date: 09/20/2011
Parkland Dedication Requirements
Revision Date: 07/08/2008
Planning Fee Schedule
Revision Date: 10/25/2011
Santa Clara County CEQA Filing Fees Notice
Santa Clara County CEQA Filing Fees Notice
Revision Date: 01/12/2010
7. Maps, Zoning
A. Zoning Districts Index Map
Key Index Online Zone Map
Revision Date: 08/15/2007
B. Zoning Districts Map Legend
Zone District Map Legend
Revision Date: 07/18/2006
C. Zoning District Map Revision List
Zoning District Map Revision List
Revision Date: 06/24/2011
D. Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation Map
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation Map
Revision Date: 08/08/2007
E. Planning Staff Review District Map
Planning Staff Project Review Districts
Revision Date: 07/29/2011
Zone List
Revision Date: 07/18/2006
8. Baylands Information
Baylands Nature Preserve Site Assessment and Design Guidelines
Baylands Site and Design Guidelines
Revision Date: 09/03/2008
9. El Camino Real Guidelines
El Camino Real Design Guidelines
Revision Date: 03/09/2010
South El Camino Real Design Guidelines
Revision Date: 03/09/2010
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City of Palo Alto City Hall - 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Main Telephone Number 650-329-2100 8am-5pm M-Th, Alt Fridays