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.

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
• Priority Development Areas (PDAs) and Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs)
• 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