Zoning Ordinance
A. General. The City is divided into zones to allow for orderly, planned development and to implement the General Plan and adopted Specific Plans. All zones shall be appropriately designated on the Official Zoning Map.
B. Base Zones. Every parcel shall have a base zone that establishes the primary type and intensity of land use allowed, along with development regulations for that particular type and intensity of land use.
C. Overlay/Combining Zones. An overlay/combining zone supplements the base zone for the purpose of establishing special use or development regulations for a particular area in addition to the provisions of the underlying base zone. In the event of conflict between the base zone regulations and the overlay/combining zone regulations, the City retains the right to use the most restrictive design standard or policy, except as otherwise provided in the General Plan or adopted Specific Plan.
D. Effect of Establishment of Zones. Except as otherwise provided in the Development Code, no structure shall be erected and no existing structure shall be added to, altered, enlarged, or moved, nor shall any land, structure, or premises be used, designed, or intended to be used for any purpose or in any manner other than those uses specifically listed as allowed in the zone in which the structure, land, or premises is located. No land use shall be established unless it is a permitted use or conditional use.
Find out the Zone on your parcel of land using interactive map links here.
Supporting Documents
2035 General Plan Map (4 MB) 2018 Zoning Map (2 MB) 2014 Zoning Map (680 KB) Vacant Parcels Map (328 KB) Vacant Land Inventory (158 KB) Westside PreExisting Zoning (519 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.
Upcoming Events
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12/05/2024 - 6:00pm