Building
The Building Division is a part of the Community Development Department.
The Division is responsible for coordinating the enforcement of the city's building code and related policies concerning the construction of residential, commercial or industrial projects.
The Division provides this oversight through a plan check and inspection process ensuring that projects are designed and constructed according to code.
Service Hours and Availablility
- Building Division services are available Monday - Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and on open Fridays from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (City calendar).
- All Building permit applications are made electronically at the online permit portal and can be submitted at any time.
- Permit Technician services are available during regular business hours.
- Building Inspectors are available for in person meetings from 7:30 am - 8:30 am and 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am - 8:30 am on open Fridays.
- Building Plan check services, Public Works and Planning Divisions services are available for in-person scheduled appointments and non-scheduled appointments (walk-in) beginning at 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday and open Fridays.
- We encourage you to make an appointment here for faster service as scheduled appointments are prioritized over walk-in appointments.
- Printing and/or copy services are not available at any time.
Effective as of:
- January 1, 2026 – 2025 California Building Standards Code plus potential local amendments. The 2025 Energy Code and other updated sections are being finalized by the State. More information about the options being considered can be found at the Sustainability team’s webpage.
- March 13, 2025 – The City of Menlo Park has adopted a local amendment to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). The amendment adds Section 4.106.5.2 Prewiring requirements which can be found here and applies to all:
- Additions, alterations and repair construction projects which do not meet the definition of “New
Construction” as established in the City of Menlo Park Municipal Code Section 12.08.040, to
residential buildings (both single-family and multi-family buildings) and/or accessory dwelling unit
conversions; and
- The project includes the replacement or upgrade to the main electric panel.
- January 1, 2025 – The City has created an ADU Preapproval application (APA record) process for design professions to obtain non site-specific preapproval of an ADU plan. Preapproved ADU plans are standardized units that have been reviewed by the City for compliance with certain adopted building codes and planning regulations. Please click here for more information on the plan set requirements and how to apply for a pre-approval permit.
- January 1, 2023 – 2022 California Building Standards Code plus local amendments which can be found here.