MEP Plans in Palo Alto, CA
Permit-ready mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for ADUs, garage conversions, additions and single-family homes in Palo Alto, prepared for plan check at the City of Palo Alto building department, with Title 24 available in the same order.
Palo Alto project facts we design around
| County | Santa Clara County |
|---|---|
| Title 24 climate zone | Climate Zone 4, confirmed by ZIP for every project |
| Electric utility (most addresses) | City of Palo Alto Utilities |
| Permit review | The City of Palo Alto building department |
| ADU permits issued, 2021–2025 | 723 (#28 of 450 cities) |
| ADU approval timeline | Approve or deny within 60 days of a complete application (state law) |
ADU building activity in Palo Alto
Palo Alto issued 723 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025, the 28th most among the 450 California cities that reported ADU permits. Permits went from 120 in 2021 to 136 in 2025.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 120 | 219 | 128 | 136 |
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Annual Progress Report data (ADU building permits by year).
Title 24 in Climate Zone 4
- Windows: U-factor 0.27 or lower and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 0.23 or lower, with total window area up to 20% of floor area (west-facing up to 5%).
- Solar PV sized by the CEC formula kW = (floor area x 0.586) / 1000 + 1.21; no PV is required if that is under 1.8 kWdc, which for a single ADU works out to about 1,007 sq ft or smaller.
Climate Zone 4 requirements in full →
HVAC design for Palo Alto
The California Energy Commission's design-day data for Palo Alto gives the outdoor conditions a Manual J load calculation uses: a summer design temperature of 83°F and a winter design temperature of 26°F.
| Summer design (1%) | 83°F dry bulb / 64°F wet bulb |
|---|---|
| Winter design (median of extremes) | 26°F |
| Daily temperature range | 25°F |
| Elevation | 25 ft |
| Heating degree days | 2,891 |
Both seasons matter here. The heat pump is usually sized for the 83°F cooling condition and then checked to confirm it still covers the heating load at 26°F.
Electrical service from City of Palo Alto Utilities
If the load calculation shows you need a service upgrade, a second meter or a relocated service, City of Palo Alto Utilities handles that through its Utility Service Application, separately from the building permit.
ADU electrical service with City of Palo Alto Utilities →
Plumbing and sewer
The plumbing plan shows the route, slope and cleanouts of the connection to the existing sewer lateral. Some Bay Area cities also have private sewer lateral inspection rules, so ask whether your project triggers one.
Pricing is flat statewide: ADU plans from $995, full ADU MEP package from $2,295, Title 24 add-on $240. See what's in a complete ADU MEP set.
Nearby places compared
| Place | Climate zone | Electric utility | ADU permits 2021–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | CZ 4 | Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) | 2,399 |
| Campbell | CZ 4 | Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) | 1,097 |
| Los Gatos | CZ 4 | Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) | 450 |
| Saratoga | CZ 4 | Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) | 387 |
| Los Altos | CZ 4 | Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) | 384 |
| Santa Clara | CZ 4 | Silicon Valley Power | 378 |
Santa Clara County → · All California cities and communities →
Guides for Palo Alto projects
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Start My OrderGeneral guidance, not legal advice. Climate zone and utility are shown for most addresses in Palo Alto; requirements vary by project. Confirm with the City of Palo Alto building department.