What We Do

Planning & Development Services (PDS) Department provides the City Council and community with creative guidance and effective implementation of land use development, planning, transportation, housing and environmental policies, plans and programs in order to maintain and enhance the City’s safety, vitality, and attractiveness.

*** CITY OF PALO ALTO PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES HOLIDAY CLOSURE *** 
City Hall and Development Center will be closed Tuesday, December 24, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020 in observance of the winter holidays. There will be limited availability for some building field inspections during the holiday closure. Development Center will extend operating hours Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm from December 1, 2019 – December 23, 2019. More details are available here.

Functional Areas 

The PDS Department includes the following functional areas.

• Development Services
• Long Range Planning
• Current Planning 
• Historic Preservation Planning
• Transportation (including Safe Routes to School, Parking & Traffic Engineering)
• Code Enforcement

Note: Building permits and general zoning and development review are handled by the Planning & Development Services.

Popular Places 

Check out some of the most commonly visited pages on our website.

• 2030 Comprehensive Plan
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance Update
• City of Palo Alto Municipal Code
• Development Forms and Applications
• Housing Work Plan
• North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan
• Parcel Reports
• Parking
• Traffic and Zoning Concerns
• Development Services

Contact Us 

Please follow the below links to learn how to connect with us in person or by phone or email.

• Department Contact Information, Location and Hours
• Staff Directory