Below are a series of videos that will walk you through the process of submitting a Pre-Application.
We strongly recommend watching all the 'how to' videos at least once before submitting.

Register - Create an Online Permitting Services (OPS) Citizen Portal Account

• How to register/create an account on the OPS Citizen Portal (Video)
• How to register/create an account on the OPS Citizen Portal (Written Instructions)

Organize and Prepare Submittal Plans and Documents

• How to organize and prepare submittal plans and documents (Video)
• How to check if your plans have proper bookmarking (Video)
• How to merge, split, and name your plans or documents (Video)
• Document format and submission guidelines (Written Instructions)
• Download and complete application forms and other required documents for submittal

Submit your Pre-Application

• Overview of Pre-Applications and how to submit your Pre-Application (Video)
• How to Submit your Pre-Application (Video)
• How to Submit your Pre-Application (Written Instructions)

• New Building Permits must submit and complete a Building Pre-Application
• Building Permits (e.g. construction of Single Family Residential, ADU's, A/C permits, Re-roof (Commercial), Tenant Improvement, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing permits, etc.)
• Please complete your Building Permit Application form and submit with your Building Pre-Application
• Some 'minor' Building Permits may be instantly printed, please see tab below

Register - Create an Online Permitting Services (OPS) Citizen Portal Account.

• How to register/create an account on the OPS Citizen Portal (Video)
• How to register/create an account on the OPS Citizen Portal (Written Instructions)

• Revisions to existing Building Permits must submit and complete a Building Pre-Application
• Please complete your Building Permit Revision Application form and submit with your Building Pre-Application

• New Planning Entitlement applications must submit and complete a Planning Pre-Application
• All Planning forms, application and checklists can be found on the following webpage - bit.ly/PAplanningforms
• Planning Entitlement Applications (e.g. Home Improvement Exceptions (HIE), Major or Minor Architectural Review Board (ARB), Sign Entitlements, Variance, Zone Change, etc.)
• Applications submitted or resubmitted outside normal business hours will be processed the following business day, which will appear as the application submission date for all purposes. See the following link for our normal business hours: https://bit.ly/32G2iuK

• New Fire or Public Works Permit must submit and complete a Fire or Public Works Pre-Application
• Fire Permit (e.g. Fire Permit for Fire Alarms, Fire Sprinklers, etc)
• Public Works Permits (e.g. Encroachment in Right of Way (ROW), streetwork permits, grading permits, etc.)

For applications and other required documents, please visit our Development Services Forms page.

• Interactive Map of Building Permit and Planning Entitlement applications and approvals.
• Research permits and entitlements using OPS
• Research Property Information and Download or Print Online Parcel Reports

• Please read and follow all instructions on 'Corrections Required" or "Notice of Incomplete" email from City on how to properly resubmit plans and documents.
• Please check spam or junk email box if 'Corrections Required' or "Notice of Incomplete" email not found in your 'Inbox'.
• Sample 'Corrections Required' email (pdf)
• In your OPS portal account, use the red “Resubmit” button to upload your revised plans and other materials. Failure to do so may cause a delay in our response.
• Contact the assigned City Staff for your application if you have any questions regarding the resubmittal process.
• Applications submitted or resubmitted outside normal business hours will be processed the following business day, which will appear as the application submission date for all purposes. See the following link for our normal business hours: https://bit.ly/32G2iuK

Schedule an Inspection using the iRequest app(iOS) (Android)

• Complete Inspection Screening Form
• Email completed form to inspectionscreeningform@cityofpaloalto.org

Schedule an Inspection through OPS

• Logging on or registering for an account not required to schedule an inspection via OPS

Schedule an Inspection via phone

• Before scheduling inspection, implement Appendix A and either Appendix B-1 or B-2, as appropriate, of the County Health Order
• Please call 650.329.2496 and press 2.