Bay Area region / California
Menlo Park ADU rules
& permit guide.
Planning an ADU in Menlo Park? Review local size, setback and parking requirements, then confirm the details for your property with the permitting agency.
Local source collected 2026-05-20 · View sources
Local requirements at a glance
Min/max ADU size
ADU – Attached and Detached: 1000 square feet *Attached: Greater of 50% of main home floor area or 1,000 square feet (state law allows an ADU up to 800 square feet on every property, some exceptions.) JADU: 500 square feet
Height
JADU and Attached: Same as primary dwelling Detached: larger than 800 square feet: 17 feet, 800 square feet or less: 16 feet
Setbacks
Attached: side and rear – 4 feet Detached: side and rear – 4 feet
Parking
JADUs: No parking required ADUs: One spot may be required (tandem allowed). No parking required if: within one-half mile walking distance of public transit within an architecturally and historically significant historic district an interior ADU ineligible for on-street parking permits, but on-street permits are available within one block of a car share vehicle
Process
Confirm your parcel and ADU type with the local planning department, prepare the required plans, and follow the city's building permit checklist. Ask which utility, fire and site reviews apply before submitting.
Your next three steps
- Confirm the property's jurisdiction, zoning and site constraints with Menlo Park's planning department.
- Discuss the ADU type, dimensions and utility needs with your designer before finalizing a layout.
- Ask the permitting agency for its current application checklist, fee estimate and review process.
2026 state-law context
ADUs and JADUs have different occupancy rules
California generally prohibits local owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs. A narrow exception applies to certain separately sold affordable ADUs. For JADUs, owner occupancy generally applies when the bathroom is shared with the main home; separate-bathroom JADUs are treated differently under 2026 law. Check the HCD handbook and your project's permit conditions.
Older local summaries may not reflect the latest state changes. Read HCD’s March 2026 handbook, pages 32–33.
Questions for your first planning conversation
- Which approval path applies to my building and ADU type?
- Do easements, trees, slope, access or fire conditions affect placement?
- Which utility upgrades and agency reviews should be included in my budget?
- Are preapproved plans available, and what site work still needs review?