Menlo Park · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Menlo Park
Menlo Park sets its own fence heights, accessory-building limits and home-business rules for residential districts. Fence limits depend on the yard and on corner sight triangles.
Key points
- Fence height: Menlo Park limits residential fences to 4 ft in the required front setback, 7 ft outside it, and 3 ft in corner sight triangles.
- Accessory buildings: Menlo Park limits accessory buildings to 14 ft, and all together to 25% of the main building or 700 sq ft, whichever is greater.
- Home businesses: City rule: home businesses may have no employees, may not use an accessory building, and in residential districts need a 1-year permit.
Each rule below is marked Menlo Park code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Menlo Park code Menlo Park limits residential fences to 4 ft in the required front setback, 7 ft outside it, and 3 ft in corner sight triangles.
All 5 Menlo Park rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Menlo Park code Menlo Park limits accessory buildings to 14 ft, and all together to 25% of the main building or 700 sq ft, whichever is greater.
All 11 Menlo Park rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Employees |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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| Space used |
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Lot splits under SB 9
Menlo Park code Each new lot at least 40% of the original lot size. Each new lot is 50% of the original lot width.
All 10 Menlo Park rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Menlo Park code No parking on any public street from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Up to 8 hours in a row.
All 3 Menlo Park rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Menlo Park code Fast, nondiscretionary permit approval when the application meets the checklist and standards with no specific, adverse safety impacts. Apply by e-mail, online, or at the building division counter; electronic signatures accepted.
All 4 Menlo Park rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Menlo Park code No openings larger than 50 inches square, except rectangles no more than 4 inches wide may be larger. Wire mesh of at least 11-gauge galvanized steel.
All 9 Menlo Park rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Menlo Park code You need a development permit before construction or development starts in any special flood hazard area. Fill, construction or other encroachment is banned unless a registered professional engineer certifies no rise in base flood levels.
All 4 Menlo Park rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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|---|
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
| Fee instead of units |
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|---|
Trash and recycling carts
Menlo Park code Each owner and occupant must make sure the premises have solid waste collection from the authorized collector. Separate solid waste into the containers the authorized collector designates for organic waste, recyclables and remaining solid waste.
All 3 Menlo Park rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
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|---|---|
| Work that needs no review |
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Other Menlo Park rules on this
Menlo Park's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove or prune a heritage tree (Ch. 13.24)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Menlo Park?
City rule: home businesses may have no employees, may not use an accessory building, and in residential districts need a 1-year permit.
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Menlo Park?
Menlo Park's code: Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. (Measured at a home during nighttime hours.) (§ 8.06.030); Noise may not exceed 60 dBA. (Measured at a home during daytime hours.) (§ 8.06.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Menlo Park?
California law sets this for every city, including Menlo Park: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Does Menlo Park require affordable units in new housing?
Menlo Park's code: In-lieu fees are allowed instead of on-site rental units if the city council approves. No amount is stated. (Rental housing developments subject to the chapter.) (§ 16.96.070).
What rules apply to a historic home in Menlo Park?
Menlo Park's code: Work on a designated landmark must conform to this chapter and Chapter 16.68; the department issues no permit otherwise. (Construction, alteration, removal or demolition of a structure, feature or site, or a change in use.) (§ 16.54.050); The department may approve interior changes and minor exterior repairs, such as painting, replacing windows or awnings, or nonstructural items. (Only if the department finds no potential detriment and no significant impact on the landmark site, area or structure.) (§ 16.54.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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