Master TUP for Temporary Shelters
The City is seeking to expand capacity to provide unhoused residents temporary shelter options and safe parking locations for RVs and vehicles within East Palo Alto.
How can you help?
The City has been working in close partnership with the County of San Mateo and service providers LifeMoves and Project WeHOPE since 2020 to offer interim and permanent housing, as well as case management services to unhoused East Palo Alto residents.
To facilitate these services, the City is seeking Master Temporary Use Permit (“TUP”) applications from local nonprofits and faith communities to help the City with interim housing solutions in East Palo Alto. The City Council has also authorized fee waivers or reimbursements of up to $15,000 each for the first four applicants.
The Process
A Temporary Use Permit is a permit that allows for short-term use of a site, such as safe overnight parking or overnight shelter. TUP applications require review and approval by the City and Menlo Park Fire Protection District.
The Master TUP for Temporary Housing is a streamlined process that consists of a single application containing all applicable site standards and conditions for different types of temporary housing, including safe overnight parking, on a variety of properties. Applicants can apply for a single property or for a multi-site program, such as a rotating shelter, for up to 12 months at a time.
Potential applicants wishing to dedicate a portion of existing space, such as a community room in a church, as a temporary shelter, must demonstrate that the area meets basic safety requirements.
This Master TUP program is designed to alleviate the immediate need for housing in East Palo Alto. Applicants will be required to demonstrate how the program prioritizes East Palo Alto residents experiencing homelessness
Information on the general TUP process can be found here.
Universal Planning Application for applying for Master TUP (click the text for the link)
Master TUP Staff Report (click the text for the link)
Contact Information
If you would like more information regarding the Master TUP program and how to prepare an application, please contact the Planning and Housing Divisions at CEDD at planning@cityofepa.org and housing@cityofepa.org.
Supporting Documents
master_tup_flyer.pdf (61 KB) master_tup_staff_report.pdf (147 KB) 
Contact Information
1960 Tate Street
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Ph: 650-853-3189
Email: planning@cityofepa.org
Counter Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am - 3:45pm (Closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm) Wednesday and Friday virtually and by appointment only
(Please note in order to allow for processing time, the last walk-ins for service are at 11:45 am and 3:45 pm)
Counter staff will be available virtually and by appointment only on Wednesday and Fridays. Staff can be reached at any time and appointments can be made by emailing staff at planning@cityofepa.org or via this link. Planning staff will continue to respond to emails by the following day or the following Monday for inquiries received on Friday.
In the case of more urgent issues or questions tied directly to an existing project, please contact the project planner or call the mainline (650-853-3189) to be routed to the project planner. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
Note: Please drop off all payments/checks attached with relevant application forms in addition to emailing us a copy. Application forms must be attached. Checks without forms attached will not be processed.
All payment for projects will be required to be paid by a check made out to "City of East Palo Alto"
This check will be attached to the planning permit application form and dropped off at a no-contact Drop Box at the address listed above.