ADU Permitting & Palo Alto City Approvals
We prepare and manage your full permit package with the City of Palo Alto so plan check goes smoothly.
Navigating Palo Alto's ADU Approval Process
California state law requires cities to approve most ADU applications ministerially — without discretionary review — within 60 days, but that only helps if your submission package is complete and correctly prepared the first time. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions are the single biggest cause of permitting delays we see.
We prepare your full permit package — architectural plans, structural calculations, Title 24 energy compliance, and site plans — and manage every round of city plan-check comments so you are not the one chasing corrections back and forth.
- Complete permit package prepared for first-pass approval
- Title 24 energy compliance documentation
- We handle all plan-check correction rounds directly with the city
- Status updates so you always know where your application stands
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ADU permitting take in Palo Alto?
Under state law, complete ADU applications must be approved or denied within 60 days. In practice, well-prepared applications in Palo Alto often move through in 2 to 4 months including correction rounds.
What does an ADU permit package include?
A complete package includes architectural plans, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance, and a site plan showing setbacks and utility connections.
Can permitting be handled without hiring a builder?
Yes, we offer permitting-only services, though most clients bundle it with design and construction to keep one team accountable for the whole process.
What causes ADU permits to get delayed?
Incomplete drawing sets, missing structural calculations, and Title 24 errors are the most common causes. We prepare packages specifically to avoid these issues on the first submission.