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
8. Green Building Applications

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2012
1. Most Used
Below are the most commonly used forms and information when applying for a building permit.
Building Permit Application
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Building Permit Revision Application
Revision Date: 2/5/2013
Demolition Permit Application
Revision Date: 11/6/2009
Reroofing Permit
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Routing Form
Revision Date: 2/19/2013
Single Family Construction Guide (City of Palo Alto)
Revision Date: 1/16/2008
Single Family New Home/Addition Plan Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 5/16/2008
Tenant Improvement Checklist
Revision Date: 1/16/2008
Use and Occupancy Certificate Application
Revision Date: 5/13/2013
Use and Occupancy Information
Revision Date: 1/22/2013
Utility Application & Requirements - Electric Service - Commercial/Multi-family Service
Commercial/Multi-family Electric Service Application & Requirements
Revision Date: 7/27/2012
Utility Application for Disconnection prior to Demolition
Application for Utility Disconnection prior to Demolition
Revision Date: 3/24/2008
Utility Application, Requirements, & Installation Details - Electric Service - Single Family Residential
Single Family Residential Electric Service Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Revision Date: 7/27/2012
Utility Application, Requirements, & Installation Details - Temporary Electric Service
Temporary Electric Service Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Utility Declaration concerning Tenancy of Buildings prior to Issuance of a Demolition Permit
Declaration concerning Tenancy of Buildings prior to Issuance of a Demolition Permit
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Utility Guide to Electric Service Application Procedure
Utility Guide to Electric Service Application Procedure
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Utility Guide to Water-Gas-Wastewater Utility Service Application
Utility Guide to Water-Gas-Wastewater Utility Service Application
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Water Cross Connection Control Questionnaire
Water Cross Connection Control Questionnaire
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Water, Gas, Wastewater Service Application Form (Load Sheet) - Residential
Residential - Water, Gas, Wastewater Utility Service Application - Load Sheet
Revision Date: 10/7/2010
Water, Gas, Wastewater Utility Service Application (Load Sheet) - Commercial / Multi-family
Commercial / Multi-family - Water, Gas, Wastewater Utility Service Application (Load Sheet), and Guidelines for Service Design Load Information.
Revision Date: 10/7/2010
2. Other Forms
Other forms you may need when applying for a building permit:
Address Change
Revision Date: 9/13/2012
After Hours or Weekend Inspections
Revision Date: 1/29/2010
Alternative Materials and Methods Application
Revision Date: 5/17/2011
Conditional Meter Release (Building Division)
Revision Date: 8/28/2012
Development and Construction Near Streams - Guidelines and Standards
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Grading and Drainage Guidelines for New Single-Family Residences
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Handicap Hardship Exception
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Hazardous Materials Disclosure Statement
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Hazardous Materials Inventory
Revision Date: 7/23/2007
Impervious Area Calculation Worksheet
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Large project inspection request form
Revision Date: 12/22/2010
Outside Plan Check
Revision Date: 11/2/2010
Overview of the Fire and Building Permit Process
Revision Date: 7/23/2007
Permit Expiration Policy
Revision Date: 7/23/2007
Phased Occupancy (Commercial)
Revision Date: 1/1/2011
Photovoltaic Submittal Checklist (Commercial)
Revision Date: 6/29/2012
Photovoltaic Submittal Checklist (Residential)
Revision Date: 8/14/2012
Photovoltiac Loadsheet
Revision Date: 7/27/2010
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: 1/16/2008
Public Works Department Information for Residential Construction
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Solar Water Heating Submittal Checklist
Revision Date: 3/25/2011
Special Inspection & Testing Forms
Revision Date: 6/18/2013
Temporary Electric Service Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Temporary Electric Service Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Revision Date: 8/30/2010
Temporary Occupancy (Commercial)
Revision Date: 8/26/2012
Temporary Occupancy (Residential)
Revision Date: 1/9/2012
Water Heater Information
Revision Date: 7/23/2007
Wildfire High-Risk Areas - Building Regulations and Products
Revision Date: 2/25/2008
3. Fees
Building Fees
Revision Date: 8/27/2012
Electrical Permit Fees
Revision Date: 8/27/2012
Fire and Hazardous Materials Fees
Revision Date: 2/2/2009
Mechanical Fees
Revision Date: 8/27/2012
Plumbing Fees
Revision Date: 8/27/2012
Public Works
Revision Date: 8/27/2012
Utility Connections: Dark Fiber Connection Fees
Revision Date: 7/1/2010
Utility Connections: Electric Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 8/8/2008
Utility Connections: Gas Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 8/8/2008
Utility Connections: Sewer Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 7/2/2010
Utility Connections: Water Service Connection Fees
Revision Date: 7/2/2010
4. Tree Protection
Forms and information related to trees on the property:
Chapter 8:10 Tree Preservation and Management Regulations
Revision Date: 6/8/2006
Frequently Asked Tree Questions
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Inspection Schedule
Revision Date: 6/8/2006
Overview
Revision Date: 6/8/2006
SD#503 - Street Tree Well Detail - Sidewalk Location
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#504 - Street Tree Detail - Planter Strip Location
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Street Tree Verification
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Tree Disclosure Statement
Revision Date: 6/8/2006
Tree Grate Installation Details
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Tree Protection during Construction - Detail 605
Revision Date: 7/19/2006
Tree Protection Instruction Sheet T-1
Revision Date: 9/30/2008
Tree Protection Specifications
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Tree Protection Warning Sign
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Tree Technical Manual
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
5. Public Works Specifications
Driveway Approach Design & Construction Requirements
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Paving of Parking Areas Adjacent to Edge of Pavement in Unimproved Street Areas
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#120 - Driveway Approach Detail for Vertical Curb
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#121 - Driveway Approach Detail for Rolled Curb
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#133 - Vertical Curb and Gutter Detail
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#134 - Rolled Curb and Gutter Detail
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#141 - Sidewalk Construction Detail
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#301 - Catchbasin for Type A Curb
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#301 - Catchbasin Hood Frame and Grate
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#302- Catchbasin for Type B Curb
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#311 - Storm Drain Manhole Frame and Cover
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#312 - Storm Drain Manhole
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#321 - Curb Outlet Detail for Gravity Flow
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
SD#401 - Trench Detail
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Special Paving Treatments of Public Sidewalks
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
6. Flood Zone
FEMA Elevation Certificate
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Is my property in a flood zone?
Revision Date: 6/16/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements (Detached Garage)
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Plan Insert for Elevation Certification Requirements (Slab Floor)
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Request for Temporary Elevation Benchmark
Revision Date: 7/30/2009
Residential Structure Value Determination Worksheet
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
Special Building Requirements for Structures in a SFHA
Revision Date: 7/30/2009
Substantial Improvement and Market Value Definitions
Revision Date: 7/21/2007
7. Utility Forms and Handouts
A Guide to Electric Service Application Procedure
Utility Guide to Electric Service Application Procedure
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
A Guide to Utility Disconnection prior to Demolition
A Guide to Utility Disconnection prior to Demolition
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
A Guide to Water-Gas-Wastewater Utility Service Application
A Guide to Water-Gas-Wastewater Utility Service Application
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Application for Disconnection prior to Demolition
Utility Application for Disconnection prior to Demolition
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Commercial / Multi-Family Application (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater)
Commercial / Multi-Family Utility Service Application for Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater Facilities Installation
Revision Date: 6/9/2011
Commercial / Multi-family Packet (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater) - Application, Requirements & Installation Notes
Packet for Commercial / Multi-family Utility Service Application (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater) - Application, Requirements & Installation Notes
Revision Date: 6/9/2011
Declaration concerning Tenancy of Buildings prior to Issuance of a Demolition Permit
Utility Declaration concerning Tenancy of Buildings prior to Issuance of a Demolition Permit
Revision Date: 8/25/2010
Electric Temporary Service Packet - Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Electric Temporary Service Packet - Application, Requirements, & Installation Details
Revision Date: 6/9/2009
Electric Vehicle Charger Information
Information on Installing Chargers for your Electric Vehicle
Revision Date: 6/9/2011
Lockout/Tagout Protocol
Revision Date: 1/1/2011
Single Family Residential Application (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater)
Single Family Residential Utility Service Application for Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater Facilities Installation
Revision Date: 6/9/2011
Single Family Residential Packet (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater) - Application, Requirements & Installation Notes
Packet for Single Family Residential Application (Electric, Water, Gas, & Wastewater) - Application, Requirements & Installation Notes
Revision Date: 6/9/2011
Water Cross Connection Control Questionnaire
Water Cross Connection Control Questionnaire
Revision Date: 8/25/2010