Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

For Information on ADU

Email: planner@CityofPaloAlto.org
Phone:  (650) 617-3117

ADU Ordinance 5507(PDF, 436KB)
ADU Handout 2020(PDF, 421KB)
JADU Deed Restriction Agreement(PDF, 185KB)
JADU Deed Restriction Agreement Process(PDF, 351KB)

Recent & Upcoming Events

State law adopted in the fall of 2019 led to the City's preparation and adoption of an Interim Urgency Ordinance which was effective until January 31, 2021. Staff presented the new ADU ordinance to City Council on October 5, 2020 and it was formally adopted – replacing the Interim Urgency Ordinance. The new ordinance (5507) was effective 30 days after the second reading of the adopted ordinance on October 26, 2020. In the meeting on October 5, 2020, Council directed staff to return to the PTC regarding outstanding items that members of the community had requested Council adopt. In February 2021 and May 2021, staff presented potential ordinance changes to elicit feedback from the PTC members on language and policies to be included in a formal ordinance. Staff returned to the PTC July 13, 2022 with a formal ordinance update; the PTC continued the matter to August 10, 2022.