Menlo Park Building Permits: A Homeowner’s Guide

Planning a remodel, addition, or ADU in Menlo Park? The permit path can feel like a maze of forms, codes, and reviews. You want a smooth start, clear expectations, and no last‑minute surprises. In this guide, you’ll learn what permits you may need, how the process works, typical timelines and fees, and where to find official resources so you can move forward with confidence. Let’s dive in.

What Menlo Park permits cover

Menlo Park regulates home projects through its Building Division and Planning Division, following statewide codes and local zoning standards. Your project must meet the California Building Standards Code and CalGreen, with local zoning rules in the Menlo Park Municipal Code. For many projects, you will work with the city’s Permit Center and schedule inspections as work progresses.

• Building permits: Required for new construction, additions, structural changes, and most floor plan alterations. Cosmetic work like painting or flooring may not need a permit, but changes that affect structure, egress, or fire safety typically do.
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits: Needed for HVAC changes, water heaters, gas piping, panel upgrades, new circuits, and plumbing alterations.
• Planning permits: Required if your project needs a variance, conditional use, or design review. Zoning rules for setbacks, height, lot coverage, and floor area determine whether review is ministerial or discretionary.
• ADUs: Accessory dwelling units require both Building and Planning review. Many are approved ministerially under state law, with limits on local fees and parking requirements.
• Public works permits: Needed for work in the public right‑of‑way like driveway aprons, curb or sidewalk work, utility trenching, dumpsters in the street, and traffic control.
• Tree and grading permits: Protected trees may require permits and mitigation. Retaining walls above certain heights, grading, and major drainage changes may also require permits and reports.

For departments, fee schedules, and forms, start at the City of Menlo Park site and the Permit Center pages. You can find them on the City of Menlo Park website.

Do you need a permit? Quick guide

You likely need a permit if you plan to:

• Change structural elements, foundations, beams, or load‑bearing walls.
• Add new space, reconfigure the layout, or build a deck above size or height thresholds.
• Upgrade electrical panels, add circuits, install new HVAC, replace a water heater, or alter gas lines.
• Build an ADU or JADU.
• Work in the public right‑of‑way or remove/alter a protected tree.

You may not need a permit for:

• Painting, wallpaper, and most floor replacements.
• Like‑for‑like fixture swaps that do not affect plumbing or electrical systems. When in doubt, confirm with the Building Division.

How the permit process works

1) Pre‑application check

For additions and ADUs, request a planning check early to confirm setbacks, floor area, height, parking, and design review triggers. Early clarity helps avoid redesigns later.

2) Design and prepare your packet

Expect to submit a site plan, floor plans, elevations, building sections, structural calculations if needed, energy compliance forms, and any required soils or arborist reports. Title 24 energy documentation is essential.

3) Submit your application

Apply through the Menlo Park Permit Center or online portal with forms and initial fees. The city routes plans to Building for code review and to Planning for zoning review.

4) Plan check and comments

Reviewers issue comments on structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy, and zoning. You respond with revised drawings and a point‑by‑point response.

5) Permit issuance

After approvals and fee payment, the city issues your permits. You can then schedule inspections and begin work.

6) Inspections and final sign‑off

Typical inspections cover foundation, underground utilities, framing and rough MEP, insulation, energy items, and finals. New dwelling units and substantial remodels may require a certificate of occupancy or final approval for an ADU.

How long approvals take

• Minor permits: Simple electrical or water heater permits can take days to a few weeks.
• Moderate projects: Kitchen or bath remodels, small additions, or ministerial ADUs often take weeks to a couple of months, assuming complete plans.
• Major projects: Large additions, projects with variances or design review, or complex soil and structural work can take multiple months, sometimes 3 to 6 or more.

State law sets timing expectations for ministerial ADUs. For current ADU timelines and rules, review the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s ADU guidance and confirm current practice with the city.

Fees and what drives cost

Building permit fees are typically based on project valuation, with separate plan review and inspection fees. Planning fees for design review or variances are separate. Right‑of‑way permits, tree permits, and utility connection fees are independent line items.

Common cost drivers include multiple review cycles, required consultant reports, utility connection or impact fees, bonds and insurance for right‑of‑way work, and hearing fees when discretionary approvals are needed. State law limits some local impact fees and parking requirements for ADUs under certain sizes, though local implementation can vary. Always request the current fee schedule and an estimate from the Permit Center before finalizing design.

Avoid delays: pro tips

• Hold a pre‑application meeting for additions and ADUs to confirm zoning early.
• Hire a licensed architect or engineer for plans where structure or zoning is significant.
• Agree in writing on who pulls permits and who supplies which documents.
• Submit a complete packet so Building and Planning can review in parallel.
• Address protected tree and right‑of‑way issues at the start.
• Prepare Title 24 energy documents early and ensure accuracy.
• Track plan check comments and provide a clear response matrix on resubmittal.

ADUs in Menlo Park: key points

ADUs must meet building codes and zoning, but California law requires ministerial approval for many ADUs within set timeframes. Local agencies have limited ability to require parking and impact fees in many cases. For statewide rules and updates, use HCD’s ADU guidance hub, then confirm current local practice with the Menlo Park Permit Center.

Inspections: what to expect

Your inspector will check safety and code compliance at key milestones:

• Footing and foundation before concrete placement.
• Underground plumbing, drains, and sewer laterals.
• Framing, shear walls, nailing, and structural connections.
• Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical.
• Insulation and energy compliance, including required tests.
• Final MEP and final building inspection for occupancy or final approval.

Essential resources and codes

• Menlo Park Permit Center, Building, Planning, and Public Works: Start at the City of Menlo Park website for forms, checklists, and fee schedules.
• Menlo Park Municipal Code and zoning standards: Review the Menlo Park Municipal Code.
• State building codes: See the California Building Standards Commission for Title 24 and CalGreen at the BSC site.
• Energy compliance: Get Title 24 energy standards and resources from the California Energy Commission.
• ADU policy: Review statewide rules and updates via the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Plan your project with confidence

Permitting in Menlo Park rewards preparation. When you confirm zoning early, submit complete plans, and manage comments clearly, you shorten timelines and reduce surprises. If your project is part of a larger move, investment plan, or value‑add strategy, the right team can help you align scope, cost, and schedule.

Want local, construction‑informed guidance as you renovate, buy, or prepare to sell? Connect with Luxuriant Realty for a personalized consultation. Our team pairs engineering‑led insight with white‑glove service so you can move forward with clarity and ease.

FAQs

Do Menlo Park kitchen remodels need permits?

• If your remodel changes structural elements, plumbing, or electrical circuits, you will likely need permits. Cosmetic updates like cabinets or counters may not, but confirm with the Building Division.

What permits cover driveway or sidewalk work in Menlo Park?

• Work in the public right‑of‑way, like driveway aprons or sidewalk replacement, usually needs a Public Works encroachment permit in addition to any building permits.

How are Menlo Park building permit fees calculated?

• Fees are often based on project valuation, plus plan review and inspection fees. Planning, tree, right‑of‑way, and utility connection fees are separate line items.

What ADU rules affect parking and fees in Menlo Park?

• State law limits local parking requirements in many cases and restricts some impact fees for smaller ADUs. Review HCD’s guidance and confirm local implementation with the Permit Center.

What causes the most plan check delays in Menlo Park?

• Incomplete submittals, zoning conflicts that require discretionary review, protected tree issues, and missing or incorrect Title 24 energy documents commonly trigger extra review cycles.

Which codes apply to my Menlo Park project?

• Projects follow the California Building Standards Code and CalGreen, with local requirements in the Menlo Park Municipal Code. Check the BSC and Municipal Code for current standards.