Frequently asked questions

Walk-in building code questions can be answered from 1 - 5 p.m. every day City Hall is open.

The City of Menlo Park is accepting all submittals via the online permit portal.

The building permitting process, from application submittal to permit issuance, is entirely paperless. To create new applications, receive updates on existing records, resubmit plan check corrections or revisions, you must register and create a user account through the online permit portal.

A building permit can be pulled by the owner/builder or licensed contractor. 

As long as the noise ordinance is met the City of Menlo Park does not put limits on hours of construction activities. View the noise ordinance for posting.

A registered design professional or architect is required.

Yes, for more information visit the City's owner/builder information webpage. 

We are not offering over the counter review at this time.

Contact your assigned staff member. If your permit is eligible for reinstatement our assigned staff member will provided you guidance on reinstatement of the permit.

Once your permit is issued your permit is valid for 12 months. The first inspection is required before the 12 month mark lapses. After your first inspection is performed, inspections are required every 180 days. If any of these timelines are exceeded the project is considered abandoned and the permit will be expired, unless the City grants an extension. Once the permit is expired, the applicant will have to submit under the current code cycle.

The City uses the 2022 California Building Standards Code.

The best way to view the status of a project is through the online permit portal. You may also contact your assigned staff member.

Residential work needs to be permitted unless the scope of work is outlined in Menlo Park Ordinance 12.08.010. View the list of exempted work. 

Nonresidential work needs to be permitted unless the scope of work is outlined in Menlo Park Ordinance 12.06.010. View the list of exempted work.

Contact the permit team for instruction on obtaining copies of permits/building plans.

These documents can be found on the online permit portal and located in attachments under "documents" and identified as "approved set-permit issued". 

The approved permit package (permit, job bag, and building plans) must be accessible on-site throughout the duration of construction and made available to the inspector.

Yes, they all must be on-site. Approved stamped plans can either be a full paper set “24 x 36” minimum or the applicant can have an electronic version; a minimum 12” screen that has the capability to expand the view to the inspector.

A smoke and CO affidavit is required when access to the interior of the building is not available. This is usually required for exterior alterations only. This form can be found here(PDF, 131KB). 

TCO requirements vary by project, please contact your inspector.

This is part of the City of Menlo Park policies and procedures and is reflected in California Building Code 107.2.1.

Special inspection reports, engineering observation letters, and building placement verification by a surveyor should be submitted by the contractor through the Accela portal. Additionally, copies of the reports or letters should be available on site for the building inspector at the time of inspection.

Depending upon the scope of a project, observation letters or reports by the engineer of record, special inspector or surveyor may be required. Details of what is required for a specific job can be found on page 2 of the permit card.