| Arborist report |
An arborist report consisting of trees onsite and recommendations for protection needs to be submitted and approved before building permit issuance. Applicants must hire an arborist from the city-approved consulting arborists list. |
| Arborist letter |
A letter from the arborist that prepared the arborist report stating all tree protection measures are in place. This letter is required before issuance for demolition and new construction permits.
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| Building construction road impact fee |
This fee is collected before issuance. It is required for all demolitions, reroofs, new residential, residential additions and commercial projects. Residential interior alterations and projects less than $10,000 are exempt.
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| CALGreen |
CALGreen is California’s green building code and first in the nation state-mandated green building code. It is formally known as the California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11, of the California Code of Regulations. |
| Contractor, city license or license upgrade |
Apply for, renew and pay for a city business license online.
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| Mandatory construction and demolition debris recycling program |
Projects must meet a 65% diversion rate outlined in the California Green Building Code §4.408 and §5.408 and Municipal Code Chapter 12.48 Recycling and Salvaging of Construction and Demolition Debris. This requirement applies to residential demolition projects 1,000 sq. ft. or greater; all non-residential demolition projects; residential construction projects 1,000 sq. ft. or greater; and all non-residential construction projects and all nonresidential demolition projects and construction projects of 1,000 square feet or more including residential, multifamily/commercial including nonresidential construction. If the project does not meet the City of Menlo Park diversion requirement there will be a penalty of $1.00 per square foot of the total project. Construction and demolition waste management plans must be submitted online via Green Halo Systems. |
| Disconnection approval letters |
Letters from utility companies such as West Bay Sanitary District (650-321-0384), PG&E (877-743-7782), etc., stating that utilities have been safely removed, capped, etc.
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| Fire flow test |
A fire flow test measures the available water pressure and flow volume from hydrants to ensure adequate supply for firefighting. A fire flow test may be requested by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District (650-688-8425) and can be obtained through your water district. |
| Flood elevation certificate |
A Flood Elevation Certificate is an official Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) document that certifies a buildings lowest floor elevation in relationship to the surrounding ground and the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). If a project is determined to be a FEMA substantial improvement, then an elevation certificate must be submitted during building permit application review for any new or additional of square footage in the flood zone. Visit the Flood plain construction page for more information.
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| Grading and drainage plan |
A grading and drainage plan is a technical engineering document mapping how land is shaped, sloped and drained to direct stormwater away from structures. A grading a drainage plan is required whenever a building project will change more than 500 square feet of the surface of a lot from pervious to impervious. It applies to all new projects, additions that increase footprint by 500 square feet, basement additions and partial basement additions. The plan is required to be submitted simultaneously with the building permit submission and must be approved before building permit issuance. Visit the Single-family home projects page for more information. |
| Heritage tree removal permit |
A Heritage tree removal permit is a permit that authorizes the removal or pruning of 25 percent or more of a Heritage tree(s). A Heritage tree removal permits are to be issued before removal of tree(s) for development. Visit Trees for more information. |
| HOA letter |
An approval letter addressed to the “City of Menlo Park Building Division” stating that proposed project has been approved by the the Home Owner's Association (HOA). The project description must be noted on the letter and match permit application/plans. |
| "J" number |
A Job Number ("J" number) is the permit number issued by the Bay Area Air Quality District (415-479-4900) for demotion of any structure or accessory building that has asbestos present.. |
| Landscape plan |
A landscape plan is a plan that demonstrates that the proposed landscaping is designed to achieve water efficiency required in Menlo Park's Water-efficient landscape ordinance (Muni Code Chapter 12.44). A landscape plan is required for all new landscapes exceeding 500 square feet and rehabilitated landscapes exceeding 1,000 square feet associated with projects requiring review and approval. Learn more about Menlo Park's |
| Menlo Park Fire Protection District |
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District (650-688-8425) (MPFPD) is a separate and independent agency from the City of Menlo Park. Approval by MPFPD is required for all commercial projects, single-family and multifamily residential projects. |
| Owner builder acknowledgement forms |
An owner-builder acknowledgement form is a mandatory legal document signed by the property owner making them aware of the risks associated with being an Owner-Builder. Building owner(s) must read and initial each statement to declare that they understand and verify the information noted and sign at the end of the form. The owner-builder declarations on the Building permit application are required to be completed for exemption from contractor licensing requirements and workers’ compensation insurance explanation form. All completed forms must be submitted before permit issuance. Visit Owner-Builder Information for more information. |
| San Mateo County Health review |
San Mateo County Health (650-372-6276) review is required for new/repair or alterations of restaurants, retail, food market tenant improvements, new/repair and or alterations of commercial and multifamily swimming pools (condos, apartments). |
| School fees |
School impact fees apply for any new construction, remodel or addition. A school fee receipt is required before issuance of the building permit. Contact SUHSD Developer Fee Schedule (650-369-1411) for submittal requirements.
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| Transportation impact fee |
Transportation impact fees (TIF) are a one-time fee for new development projects to fund infrastructure improvements needed to mitigate increased traffic. The TIF is applicable to new development in all land use categories identified by city ordinance. Any construction adding additional floor area to a lot with an existing building, new single-family residence, multifamily dwellings and changes of use from one land use category to another requires a transportation impact fee be paid before building permit issuance. View the Development guidelines for more information.
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| Water meter upgrade |
A water meter upgrade may be required for additions, new structures and fire sprinkler system installations. Contact your water provider to determine cost. A copy of the stamped and approved plans from the Menlo Park Fire Protection District is required.
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| West Bay Sanitary District |
West Bay Sanitary District (650-321-0384) (West Bay) is a separate and independent agency from the City of Menlo Park. West Bay's approval is required for all demos, new structures (including ADU's), large additions and restaurants. |