Tiny home rules in Palo Alto, CA — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Tiny homes on foundations are permitted in Palo Alto as ADUs when they meet the CA Residential Code. Movable tiny homes on wheels are generally not allowed as full-time dwellings.
In Palo Alto, a tiny home built on a permanent foundation is treated as an ADU or JADU under PAMC Chapter 18.42 and Government Code 65852.2. It must meet the California Residential Code: minimum 150 sq ft for a dwelling, 7-foot ceilings (6-foot 8-inch in some areas), an egress window, bathroom, kitchen, and separate heat and power. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are generally classified as RVs or park trailers and may not be occupied full-time as a dwelling unit on a residential lot. California HCD standards under the Movable Tiny House regulations and AB 68 open narrow pathways for certified movable tiny homes used as ADUs if a city opts in. Palo Alto has been cautious on THOWs, so check with Planning before purchasing one.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hours and requires a special event permit for outdoor amplification in publ...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto enforces strict decibel limits by zone under PAMC 9.10.040: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night in residential, scaling up to 70 dBA in manufacturing zones.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto permits construction Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm, with no work allowed on Sundays or holidays under PAMC 9.10.060.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto requires encroachment permits for new driveways, regulates curb cut dimensions, and prohibits blocking sidewalks or adjacent driveways under traffi...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto restricts RV, trailer, and boat storage on public streets and requires screening for large recreational vehicles on residential property under zoni...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle tiny homes.
See how Palo Alto's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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