Permit guides

ADU Permits in East Palo Alto: a Homeowner's Guide

East Palo Alto takes ADU submittals by email — with a size threshold that decides which inbox you use.

Last updated October 2026. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the city before you build.

Who handles your permit

ADU permits in East Palo Alto run through the Building Services Division. The process is refreshingly direct: Junior ADUs and ADUs under 800 square feet go straight to building@cityofepa.org; projects over 800 square feet go to planning@cityofepa.org first for a completeness review. The city lays out the whole flow as four steps: zoning clearance, building permit review, construction with inspections, then finals.

What you can build

1,000 sq ftLocal max for a detached ADU (state law protects at least 800 sq ft everywhere)

800 sq ftThe email threshold — under goes to Building, over goes to Planning first

18" above BFEIn high-risk flood zones, the unit must sit 18 inches above base flood elevation

Published feesZoning clearance $586 · address assignment $585 · processing $288 · certificate of occupancy $384

New addressYou're responsible for getting a new address assigned through Planning

4 ftMinimum side and rear setbacks for detached ADUs

ADUs are allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones with limited exceptions. Two-family and multifamily properties can add up to two detached ADUs and convert up to 25% of non-living space.

The four steps

Zoning clearance. Submit the ADU package to Planning — this checks completeness so the building review can proceed, not a separate zoning approval.
Building permit review. The same package goes to Building: permit application, plan set as one PDF, and supporting documents (geotech, structural calculations, energy compliance).
Construction and inspections. Inspections run Monday–Friday by appointment (650-853-3189 or building@cityofepa.org) — the job card and approved plans must be on site.
Finals. Pass all inspections, pay applicable fees, and the permit closes with the unit cleared for occupancy.

Flood zones change everything. In high-risk flood zones, the ADU must be elevated 18 inches above base flood elevation and properly floodproofed and anchored. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed land surveyor — and if the improvement is worth 50% or more of the main structure, an appraisal and detailed cost estimate too.

Where applications usually get stuck

Flood-zone documentation. The elevation certificate, appraisal, and cost estimate requirements surprise owners whose lots sit in the floodplain.
The 800 sq ft threshold. Emailing the wrong division first just reroutes you — know which inbox your project belongs in.
Inspection scheduling. The city caps inspections per day — book early or wait for the next available slot.

Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We check your property against the requirements, coordinate the plans and specialists, and manage the submittal and corrections — one point of contact.

Tell us what you need help with.

Not sure where to start? That's what we're here for.

Send your project

Erik — (916) 540-8960 · Vall — (916) 956-8106
office@pcg-engineering.pro