ADU Builder in Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto is one of Silicon Valley’s strongest housing markets. ADUs here can increase property value by 25 to 35 percent while generating steady rental income in a community with consistently high demand. Apex Homes provides complete in-house ADU design and construction services in Palo Alto, handling everything from feasibility and permits to the finished build. If you’re ready to move forward, we’ll start with a free feasibility study and tell you exactly what’s possible on your lot.
ADU Regulations in Palo Alto
Palo Alto allows ADUs on both single-family and multi-family lots, though requirements differ depending on lot type.
Single-family lots (R-1)
- Units allowed: One detached or attached ADU + one JADU (up to 500 sq ft)
- Size: Up to 900 sq ft for 1-bedroom layouts; up to 1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms
- Setbacks: Detached — 3 ft min from main home; attached — 4 ft side and rear
- Height: Attached — up to 25 ft (or zone max); detached — up to 45 ft (RE zones) / 30 ft (OS zones)
Multi-family lots
- Units allowed: Up to 2 detached ADUs + attached ADUs up to 25% of existing units
- Size: Detached ADUs — 150 sq ft minimum, no maximum; JADUs up to 500 sq ft
- Setbacks: 4 ft side and rear (front per zoning); 3 ft min separation from primary dwelling
- Height: Up to 16 ft; up to 18 ft within ½ mile of transit or if main structure is multi-story
Palo Alto offers fee waivers for ADUs under 750 sq ft and expedited review timelines — making smaller units especially cost-effective to build.
Apex Homes handles zoning verification, setback calculations, and code compliance — included in your free feasibility study.
Build Your ADU in Palo Alto
Start with ParcelZ. Enter your address and get instant eligibility, your buildable area, and matching floor plans. Free, no signup. Then our team takes it from there.
Palo Alto ADU Permitting Process
To obtain an ADU permit in Palo Alto, homeowners should first confirm their property’s zoning and review the city’s ADU standards.
Free Feasibility Study
Apex checks your zoning, lot size, setbacks, and utility connections — at no cost, before you commit to anything.
Pre-Application Meeting
A meeting with Palo Alto’s Planning Department to confirm zoning, setbacks, and design compatibility before submitting.
Apex Prepares Your Permit Package
We prepare all required documents — architectural plans, structural calculations, site layouts, utility connections, and the New Single-Family Residence / Detached ADU Checklist.
Submit via ACA Portal
Applications are filed online through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal. A project coordinator is assigned to confirm completeness. Plan review typically takes 2–3 months.
Construction & Inspections
Permits are issued electronically after approval. Apex builds your ADU and manages all city inspections, delivering a finished, move-in ready unit — typically within 5 months of your feasibility study.
Browse ADU Floor Plans
Apex offers a range of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom ADU floor plans designed to meet California’s building standards and fit a variety of lot sizes. Each plan includes all documentation required for permitting — site plan, elevations, structural details, and Title 24 compliance.
Does a plan fit your lot?
Use ParcelZ to instantly see which of these plans fit your property in Palo Alto — free, no signup.
Why Build An ADU in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto is one of Silicon Valley’s strongest housing markets, and ADUs provide significant advantages for homeowners. An ADU can increase property value by 25 to 35 percent while offering steady rental income in a community with consistently high demand.
ADUs also provide flexible living options, making them perfect for aging parents, adult children, or caretakers who need independence but want to remain close to family. With Palo Alto’s incentives, such as fee waivers for ADUs under 750 square feet and expedited review timelines, homeowners can take advantage of faster or more cost-efficient construction compared to traditional housing projects.
Have questions? Contact Apex Homes Today
Our team knows Palo Alto’s zoning, permits, and pricing inside out. Call us for a free, no-pressure conversation about your property. We’ll tell you exactly what’s possible.