| 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 an arborist 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 first 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 §5.408 and Municipal Code Chapter 12.48 Recycling and Salvaging of Construction and Demolition Debris. This program is required for any residential 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.
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| 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 |
May be requested by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District (650-688-8425) and can be obtained through your water district. |
| Flood elevation certificate |
If a project is a Federal Emergency Management Agency 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. |
| Grading and drainage plan |
A grading and 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 separate heritage tree removal permit is required to be applied and paid for to remove or prune 25% or more of a heritage tree. Permits are to be issued before removal of tree(s) for development. |
| HOA letter |
An approval letter addressed to the “City of Menlo Park Building Division” is required authorizing the scope of work proposed. The project description must be noted on the letter and match permit application/plans. |
| "J" number |
A "J" number indicates a permit from Bay Area Air Quality Management District (415-479-4900) for demotion of any structure or accessory building. |
| Landscape plan |
A landscape 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 Water-efficient landscape ordinance. |
| Menlo Park Fire Protection District |
Menlo Park Fire Protection District (650-688-8425) approval is required for all commercial projects, single-family and multifamily residential projects. |
| Owner builder forms |
Owner builder forms are necessary for exemption from contractor licensing requirements and workers’ compensation insurance explanation form. 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. Forms must be submitted before permit issuance. |
| 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 Sequoia Union High School District (650-369-1411) for submittal requirements.
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| Transportation impact fee |
Transportation impact fees are 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 |
Approval by West Bay Sanitary District (650-321-0384) is required for all demos, new structures, large additions and restaurants.
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