FAQs

You can download the Claim form, pick one up in person at the Office of the City Attorney, or by calling 650-853-5901.

For claims of property damage, please attach two separate estimates for the damages being claimed. Depending on the type of damage, we may require an appraisal inspection.

You should file a Late Claim Application using the same Claim form but title it as such and explain in detail why the claim is late. The Late Claim Application may be granted or denied. The city will only consider the merits of the claim if the Late Claims Application is granted (Government Code § 911.4).

No. Administrative costs pertain to people. Rent & insurance pertain to indirect costs. Just a reminder, a portion of your grant funds may be used to pay for rent on a facility used to facilitate grant programming, and insurance may be paid for as well. Grant funds cannot be used to pay utilities or for facility improvements.

Yes. However, the lead organization must a 501(c)3. 

This depends on the number of grant cycles we have each year. There are roughly 3-5 Measure C Large grantees and 7-10 TOT grantees. It varies annually based on available funds & requested amounts.

No. You may receive more consideration if you do have matching funds. It is encouraged. 

The period of performance means the grant term. 

Complete your Business License Application form online.

For all fees payable to Community and Economic Development Dept., Planning Division  needs to be made via a check or a Money Order.

All checks need to be made out to "City of East Palo Alto"

The checks and application form needs to be attached and mailed to the following address:

1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

All check drop off details are listed in the link here.

All planning fees are listed in the link here.

You can determine the zoning designation of your property using the interactive zoning map, click here

Additional resources for the zoning designation map is available in the following web link - click here

All new buildings, additions to buildings, garage conversions, new construction, and legalization of existing structure require a Design Review permit prior to any issuance of building permits. See a detailed planning pre-submittal overview in the link here.

All Additional Dwelling Units( ADU's) require a Zoning Clearance from Planning before being streamlined to Building Division. See more details here. 

All tenant improvements, remodels, re-roof permits do not require planning review, unless there is a change in the facade or addition of square footage to the project.

When in doubt, please write to us here. 

Article-2 of Title-18 of the City's development standards can be found here 

Specific Plan development standards can be found here

The Comprehensive Fee Schedule has a detailed breakdown of fees for permits by type, division and rate. See link here

In order to calculate the planning fees, the scope of project with a conceptual sketch will be emailed to consult with a planner. The planner will share a breakdown of planning fees and any other applicable Building Division and Engineering division fees with an estimate over an email. 

All information regarding City's Housing Ordinance can be viewed in the link here. 

A Tree Removal Permit is required for:

1. Any tree with a main stem or trunk that measures forty (40) inches or greater in circumference at a height of twenty‐four (24) inches or two (2) feet above natural grade.
2. Any tree within a public street or public right‐of‐way, regardless of size.
3. Any tree that existed at the time of an approval granted under the city’s subdivision or zoning ordinance and required to be preserved as part of such approval
4. Any tree required to be planted as a condition of any development approval granted by the city.
5. Any tree required to be planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree.

You do not need a permit to trim a tree on private property, however please note the following:

• Please make sure that the tree is located in the private property and not in the public right of way. Email the Engineering division to verify the same. 
• Per Chapter 12.16 of the City's Municipal Code - Cutting of trees on public streets or public places is prohibited.

If you need to speak to a planner kindly go to the link below to schedule and appointment.

Planning Inquiry Appointments

Please note: All current appointments are virtual, unless in person is requested.

The following items are required to be considered a complete submission. 

1. A Preliminary Ministerial Review form filled out as applicable to your project. Link here. 
2. Planning review fees as a check payable or money order to City of East Palo Alto.
3. Site plan conveying the existing and proposed design. 

Amount of fees will be calculated at (2) hours of planning review time for the Fiscal Year hourly rate. For FY 2023-24, it is  2*324 = $648.00

Please submit required documents to planning@cityofepa.org or drop off/mail to 1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, 94303. 

Additional ADU resources for qualifying projects are available here. 

To engage EPA residents in a decision-making process around a potential increase in total allowed development in the RBD Specific Plan area; including 

• Creating a framework for community benefits
• Completing thorough analysis of community impact, focusing on local jobs match, and both indirect and induced displacement
• Exploring links between jobs and affordable housing
• Developing a high-quality urban design plan that emphasizes connectivity within the public realm
• Determining necessary district-wide transportation and water, sewer, stormwater improvements
• Evaluating the fiscal benefit of different levels of development.

2020 Bay Road
Applicant: Three Cities Research
Address: 2020 Bay Road

The Landing
Applicant: Harvest Properties
Address: 1990 Bay Road + 1175 Week St + 1250 Weeks St

4 Corners
Applicant: Sand Hill Properties
Address: 1675 Bay Road

EPA Waterfront
Applicant: Emerson Collective
Address: 230 Demeter + 350 Demeter + 2555 Pulgas + 151 Tara + 164 Tara

A Specific Plan is a comprehensive planning and zoning tool for a small area within a community. It is distinct from a jurisdiction’s adopted General Plan. It establishes the vision and guiding principles for a given area and the standards that regulate future development within its boundaries. A Specific Plan includes a series of measures and actions to guide implementation. Due to changing circumstances and economic conditions, Specific Plans commonly require periodic updates. You can read the 2013 Ravenswood / 4 Corners Specific Plan on the City’s website.

This update is being managed by the City of East Palo Alto Community Development Department, with work performed by Raimi + Associates, Strategic Economics, Schaaf + Wheeler, Hexagon Transportation, and David J Powers & Associates.

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.