Information for design professionals

Preapproved plans will be valid through the current California Building Code cycle.

Architects, designers and manufacturers are invited to submit ADU plans for preapproval consideration. To submit plans for preapproval:

  1. Review the City’s ADU development standards and Zoning Ordinance
  2. Prepare complete plan sets meeting Building Division requirements
  3. Submit plans through the City’s Permit and Record Web Portal and select ADU preapproval application (APA) record
  4. Pay applicable review fees.
  5. Respond to any correction comments from city.
  6. Upon approval of the plans, your business name, contact, information, and brief description of the size/type of approved ADU plan will be listed on this webpage, along with a reduced-size floor plan and elevations of the preapproved ADU.

Required submittal items

A non-site specific plan set and supporting documents that demonstrate compliance or conceptual compliance with the City of Menlo Park’s Zoning Ordinance (e.g. square footage, height, daylight plane, etc.) and Building Codes are required to obtain ADU preapproval. Site specific requirements are not applicable for the APA record; however, those items will be required when a preapproved ADU is utilized for a specific project site (e.g. foundation design, building height from grade, setbacks, and daylight plane). The City encourages interested design professions to schedule a meeting with Matt Pruter in Planning and Building Divisions to review the required items. 

ADU preapproved plan set

At a minimum the non-site-specific ADU plan set for preapproval shall include the following:

  • Architectural plans that include mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings and any manufacturer’s specifications for all equipment that is specified as part of the plan set;
  • Square-footage calculation plans;
    - Floor area/gross floor area and building coverage diagrams and calculations
  • Roof plan;
  • Elevations;
  • Cross-sections;
  • Standard site plan (for reference) (optional);
  • Alternate materials (optional);
    • All alternate sidings (wood, stucco, et.) that could be used in lieu of the siding shown on plans.
    • All alternate roofing material (composition shingle, tile, metal roof, etc., et.) that could be used in lieu of the roofing shown on plans.
    • All alternate doors and/or windows (change in manufacturer, change of style, etc.) that could be used in lieu of those shown on plans.
    • All alternate space and/or water heating (gas fired to heatpump or vice versa) that could be used in lieu of those shown on plans. Please note, a separate Energy Code calculation will need to be supplied for each variation in equipment.
  • Structural drawings and calculations;
  • Electrical load calculations;
  • California Energy Code compliance documentation; 
  • CalGreen compliance documentation; and
  • Product manufacturer specification sheets for HVAC and water heating.

Other required documents

  • Completed Menlo Park data sheet for building permit applications
  • Completed Menlo Park building permit application form
  • Menlo Park Fire Protection District approval letter

The MPFPD is a separate and independent entity from the City of Menlo Park. It is the responsibility of the applicant or applicant’s representative to coordinate the submittal, review, approval and inspection for Fire Code-related work with the MPFPD. 

Site-specific building permit application

Preapproved ADU plans and a site-specific plans must be submitted as part of an ADU building permit application.

Site-specific plan set

The site specific plan set and building permit application must include but is not limited to:

  • Site plan that includes:
    a. Location of the electrical, fuel gas, water and sewer utility points of connection
    b. Proposed setbacks and setback encroachments
    c. Please work with the Building Division and Planning Division to clarify all site plan requirements
  • Boundary and topographic survey;Floor area or gross floor area diagrams (for entire project site site);
  • Building coverage diagrams (for entire project site);
  • Exterior elevations documenting height of structure above grade;
  • Daylight plane diagram;
  • Grading and drainage plan; and
  • Arborist report (required if there are heritage trees in the vicinity of the proposed construction, based on City arborist site check review);

Other required documents

  • Geologist report is mandatory for all new single family residences and detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU);
  • Demonstration of compliance with the City of Menlo Park’s Flood Damage Prevention ordinance 12.42 if the project is located in Flood Zones A, AE, AH, AO;
  • Foundation plan with structural calculations; and
  • Menlo Park Fire Protection District approval letter (site specific evaluation)

For more detailed information on the submittal requirements based on the scope of the ADU, please see the review process page.

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