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Forms and Permits

Where do you begin finding out what paperwork you need to start a business or develop a property?Right here!

Questions about a green building project? Ask An Expert!
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Development Center
Find the answers to many questions about the Palo Alto Development Center.
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Flood Zone Descriptions
Here's an explanation of the meaning of the various flood zones.
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Utility Service Application Forms & Guidelines
Utility Service Application Forms & Guidelines links

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Development Center
Building Permits
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: 08/08/2008
Use and Occupancy Information
Revision Date: 11/06/2007
2. Other Forms
Other forms you may need when applying for a building permit:
<a class="fbFileNameB" href="#7. Utility Forms and Handouts">Utility load sheets and temporary utility requests</a>
Revision Date: 03/04/2008
Address Change
Revision Date: 08/08/2008
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: 08/08/2008
Electrical Permit Fees
Revision Date: 08/08/2008
Fire and Hazardous Materials Fees
Revision Date: 08/16/2007
Mechanical Fees
Revision Date: 08/08/2008
Plumbing Fees
Revision Date: 08/08/2008
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
Development Reports
Periodic reports on development in Palo Alto.
Building Permit Activity - October 2008
Revision Date: 11/25/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 08/11
Revision Date: 09/02/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 08/18
Revision Date: 09/11/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 09/15
Revision Date: 09/26/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 09/23
Revision Date: 10/06/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 09/30
Revision Date: 10/14/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 10/01-10/30
Revision Date: 11/04/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 6/16
Revision Date: 06/16/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 6/2
Revision Date: 06/02/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - 6/9
Revision Date: 06/09/2008
Demolition Permits Issued - July 28, 2008
Revision Date: 07/28/2008
Demolition Permits Issues - 07/28
Revision Date: 08/07/2008
Demolition Permits Issues - 11/14
Revision Date: 11/20/2008
New Building Permits over $250,000 - October 2008
Revision Date: 11/25/2008
New Planning Applications - 11/11
Revision Date: 11/20/2008
New Planning Applications - 07/28
Revision Date: 08/07/2008
New Planning Applications - 08/11
Revision Date: 08/11/2008
New Planning Applications - 08/18
Revision Date: 08/18/2008
New Planning Applications - 08/25
Revision Date: 09/02/2008
New Planning Applications - 09/08
Revision Date: 09/16/2008
New Planning Applications - 09/15
Revision Date: 09/26/2008
New Planning Applications - 09/23
Revision Date: 10/06/2008
New Planning Applications - 09/30
Revision Date: 10/06/2008
New Planning Applications - 10/07
Revision Date: 10/14/2008
New Planning Applications - 10/14
Revision Date: 10/21/2008
New Planning Applications - 10/21
Revision Date: 10/30/2008
New Planning Applications - 10/28
Revision Date: 11/04/2008
New Planning Applications - 11/04
Revision Date: 11/13/2008
New Planning Applications - 6/16
Revision Date: 06/16/2008
New Planning Applications - 6/23
Revision Date: 06/23/2008
New Planning Applications - 6/9
Revision Date: 06/09/2008
New Planning Applications - 7/29
Revision Date: 07/28/2008
New Planning Applications Issued - 08/05
Revision Date: 09/12/2008
New Planning Applications Issued - 09/01
Revision Date: 09/11/2008
2007 Codes
2007 California Building Codes
Revision Date: 01/17/2008
2007 California Electrical Code
Revision Date: 06/10/2008
2007 California Energy Code
Revision Date: 06/10/2008
2007 California Fire Codes
Revision Date: 01/17/2008
2007 California Mechanical Code
Revision Date: 06/10/2008
2007 California Plumbing Code
Revision Date: 06/10/2008
During Construction
1. Public Streets, Sidewalks and Utilities
For additional information on Public Works specifications for sidewalk, curb, gutter, and other street and sidewalk features, see the "Building Permits" page.
Construction in a Public Street - General Permit Conditions
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Insurance Certificate Guidelines for Work on Public Property or Right-of-Way
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Performance Bond Form for Permit Condition Fulfillment
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Portland Cement Concrete and Asphalt Concrete Work Special Conditions
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Street Cut Determination Worksheet
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Street Work Permit Application
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Street Work Permit Information
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
USA Marking and Removal Requirements
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
2. Construction Logistics
Regulations you must comply with during construction. In some cases, you may be required to submit logistics or traffic control plans prior to construction.
"No Parking - Tow Away" Sign Posting Requirements
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Construction Hours
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Construction Site Fire Safety
Revision Date: 07/23/2007
Logistics Plan Preparation Guidelines
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Materials Storage in the Public Right-of-Way Policy
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Noise Exception Permit Application (Police Dept)
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Noise Regulations
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Pollution Prevention - It's Part of the Plan
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Traffic Control Plan Submission Guidelines
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Traffic Control Plan Typicals
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Truck Route Map and Regulations
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
3. Construction Dewatering
Construction Dewatering Plan Preparation Attachments #1
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Construction Dewatering Plan Preparation Attachments #2
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Construction Dewatering Plan Preparation Guidelines
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Construction Dewatering Sample Plan Drawing
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Construction Dewatering: Construction Sites and In-Ground Utilities Maintenance Projects
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Planning Review
1. Single Family and Duplexes
Forms and information for property owners in single-family and two-family neighborhoods.
Application Form
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Application Withdrawal Form
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Fence Ordinance
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: 07/19/2006
Home Improvement Exception
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Home Improvement Exception Process
Revision Date: 08/08/2007
Home Improvement Exception Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 08/08/2007
Individual Review Guidelines
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
Individual Review Submittal Package
Revision Date: 07/19/2006
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: 07/21/2007
Variance Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Zone Map
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
2. Multi-family and Commercial
Forms, applications, and information for multi-family and commercial developments:
Application Form
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Application Withdrawal Form
Revision Date: 07/21/2007
Architectural Review - Major: Handout
Revision Date: 08/08/2007