Earlier editions: 2026-09
Municipal code
East Palo Alto Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of East Palo Alto, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 20 titles · 2,441 sections
- Jurisdiction
- East Palo Alto
Contents
- EAST PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
- SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE
▸Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Overview▸Chapter 2.04 — GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE AND GENERAL PROCEDURE
▸Chapter 2.08 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.12 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 2.16 — CITY ATTORNEY
- Chapter 2.20 — CHIEF OF POLICE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.24 — COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER
▸Chapter 2.28 — DEPARTMENTS
- Chapter 2.32 — CITY ENGINEER
- Chapter 2.36 — ADVISORY BOARDS
- Chapter 2.40 — COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.48 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.52 — PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.56 — PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.60 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
- Chapter 2.64 — ELECTIONS
- Chapter 2.68 — LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
- Chapter 2.72 — REGULATION OF CANVASSING ACTIVITIES IN MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
▸Chapter 2.76 — EMERGENCY ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
- Chapter 2.80 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.84 — PURCHASING
- Chapter 2.86 — ELECTRONIC AND DIGITAL SIGNATURES
▸Title 3 — REVENUE AND FINANCE
Overview- Chapter 3.04 — INVESTMENT OF CITY FUNDS AND DEPOSIT OF SECURITIES
- Chapter 3.08 — BUDGET PLANNING AND FISCAL PROCEDURES
- Chapter 3.12 — BUDGET ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 3.16 — FINANCIAL CONTROL
- Chapter 3.20 — EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS AND BORROWING
- Chapter 3.24 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
- Chapter 3.28 — REFUNDS
- Chapter 3.32 — CITY RETIREMENT PLAN
- Chapter 3.36 — LEASING CITY REAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 3.40 — CONSTRUCTION TAX
- Chapter 3.44 — GENERAL EXCISE TAX UPON OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUST…
- Chapter 3.48 — PROPERTY TAXES
- Chapter 3.52 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAXES
- Chapter 3.56 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.57 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.60 — STORAGE FACILITY OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.64 — TELEPHONE, GAS, ELECTRICITY, CABLE TELEVISION AND WATER USERS TAX
- Chapter 3.68 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
▸Chapter 3.69 — CITY COUNCIL-SPONSORED CRIME-FIGHTING ACT
- Chapter 3.70 — COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE PARCEL TAX FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
- Chapter 3.72 — TAX REFUNDS
▸Title 5 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — BUSINESS LICENSES GENERALLY
- Chapter 5.08 — BUSINESS TAXES
- Chapter 5.10 — MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 5.11 — FIRST SOURCE HIRING FOR CITY-FUNDED PROJECTS AND PROPERTIES
- Chapter 5.12 — AMUSEMENT DEVICES
- Chapter 5.16 — AUTO WRECKING
- Chapter 5.20 — BINGO GAMES
▸Chapter 5.24 — FIRE, CLOSING OUT AND AUCTION SALES
- Chapter 5.28 — FIREARMS DEALERS
- Chapter 5.32 — FORTUNE TELLING
- Chapter 5.36 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE TECHNICIANS
- Chapter 5.40 — PAWN BROKERS, SECONDHAND DEALERS, JUNK DEALERS AND JUNK COLLECTORS
- Chapter 5.44 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
- Chapter 5.48 — PICNIC GROUNDS
- Chapter 5.52 — PRIVATE PATROLS
- Chapter 5.56 — PUBLIC DANCES
- Chapter 5.60 — SHOOTING GALLERIES
- Chapter 5.64 — THEATERS
▸Chapter 5.68 — TRAILER CAMPS ;b0;
- Chapter 5.72 — TRAVELING SHOWS, CIRCUSES, RODEOS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Chapter 5.76 — VENDING
- Chapter 5.80 — TOBACCO RETAILER
- Chapter 5.84 — NON-CHARTERED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
▸Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY
Overview▸Chapter 8.04 — INSPECTION AND FILING FEES IN CONNECTION WITH LOCAL ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAWS R…
- Chapter 8.08 — NUISANCES
- Chapter 8.10 — MAINTENANCE OF DISTRESSED VACANT PROPERTIES
▸Chapter 8.12 — ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Overview- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — Definitions
- Article III — Food Establishments and Permit Requirements
- Article IV — Itinerant Restaurants
- Article V — Mobile Food Vendors
- Article VI — Caterers
- Article VII — Dating and Labeling Requirements for Sandwiches, Box Lunches and Other Foods
- Article VIII — Vending Machines
- Article IX — Food Equipment
▸Chapter 8.16 — FIRE CODE AND PREVENTION
Overview- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — District Fire Marshal—Powers and Duties
- Article III — Fire Prevention
- Article IV — Hazardous Fire Areas
- Article V — Fire Protection Requirements for Land Divisions and Fire Protection Requirements f…
- Article VI — Fire Hydrant Standards
- Article VII — Fire Protection for Mobilehome Parks
- Article VIII — Fire Protection for Recreational Trailer Parks, Travel Trailer Parks, Incidenta…
- Article IX — Liquified Petroleum Gas
- Article X — Combustible and Flammable Materials
- Article XI — Temporary and Permanent Abandonment of Tanks
- Article XII — Tank Vehicle Regulations
- Article XIII — Flame Retardant Building Materials
- Article XIV — Penalties
▸Chapter 8.20 — FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVES
- Chapter 8.24 — CHEMICAL TOILETS
- Chapter 8.28 — DIRT HAULING
- Chapter 8.32 — REFUSE AND WASTE DISPOSAL
- Chapter 8.36 — GRAFFITI DETERRENCE AND REMOVAL
▸Chapter 8.40 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL
▸Chapter 8.44 — INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Chapter 8.48 — MANURE AND FERTILIZERS
- Chapter 8.56 — SMOKING REGULATIONS
▸Chapter 8.60 — VECTOR CONTROL
▸Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Overview- Chapter 9.02 — UNREASONABLE NOISE AND UNRULY GATHERINGS
▸Chapter 9.04 — OFFENSES RELATING TO ALCOHOL AND INTOXICATION
- Chapter 9.08 — LOITERING
▸Chapter 9.12 — GAMBLING OFFENSES
▸Chapter 9.16 — LEWDNESS AND OBSCENITY
▸Chapter 9.20 — PROVISIONS FOR MINORS
- Chapter 9.28 — CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
- Chapter 9.32 — CANNABIS ACTIVITIES
▸Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — VEHICLE PARKING
▸Chapter 10.08 — SIZE, WEIGHT AND LOADING OF VEHICLES
Overview- Article I — Permissible Weight of Vehicles on Street and Highway Bridges
- Article II — Permissible Weight of Vehicles on Unimproved City Streets and Roads
- Article III — Commercial Vehicles Exceeding Gross Weight of Eight Thousand Pounds Prohibited o…
- Article IV — Certain Loading Zones Established
- Article V — Bus Stops
- Article VI — Certain Passenger Loading Zones Established
- Article VII — Restriction or Closure of Roads, Streets and Highways
▸Chapter 10.12 — TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN CONTROL MEASURES
- Chapter 10.16 — RAILROAD CROSSINGS—OBSTRUCTIONS PROHIBITED
- Chapter 10.20 — TOW CARS
- Chapter 10.24 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 10.28 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.32 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Chapter 10.36 — TRUCK ROUTES
▸Title 12 — STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Overview- Chapter 12.04 — PARK REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.08 — SPECIAL EVENTS
▸Chapter 12.12 — CONDUITS, CULVERTS AND OTHER FORMS OF CONSTRUCTION ON PUBLIC ROADS
- Chapter 12.16 — TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
▸Title 13 — PUBLIC SERVICES
Overview- Chapter 13.04 — CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 13.06 — VIDEO SERVICE PROVIDERS
▸Chapter 13.08 — SANITARY SEWERS
Overview- Article I — Opening and Connecting With Sewers Under City Control
- Article II — Discharge of Waste Into Sanitary Sewerage Facilities
- Article III — Wastewater Volume Determination
- Article IV — Reports, Permits and Administration
- Article V — Charges and Fees
- Article VI — Enforcement
- Article VII — Sewer Service Charges
- Chapter 13.12 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE
- Chapter 13.16 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
▸Chapter 13.20 — WATER SUPPLIES
- Chapter 13.28 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
▸Title 14 — HOUSING
Overview- Chapter 14.02 — TENANT PROTECTIONS
- Chapter 14.04 — RENT STABILIZATION AND JUST CAUSE FOR EVICTION ORDINANCE
- Chapter 14.08 — WITHDRAWAL OF RENTAL UNITS
- Chapter 14.10 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
- Chapter 14.12 — TENANTS DISPLACED BY DISASTERS
- Chapter 14.16 — INCOME-BASED RENTAL HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
- Chapter 14.18 — CONVERSION OF MOBILEHOME PARKS
- Chapter 14.19 — CHANGES OF USE OR CLOSURES OF MOBILEHOME PARKS
- Chapter 14.20 — SENIOR HOUSING
- Chapter 14.24 — CONVERSION OF APARTMENTS TO CONDOMINIUMS
▸Title 15 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Overview▸Chapter 15.04 — GENERAL BUILDING PROVISIONS
- Chapter 15.08 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.11 — GREEN BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.12 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.13 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 15.15 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.16 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.24 — UNIFORM HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15.25 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.32 — UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
- Chapter 15.40 — MOVING AND REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 15.44 — BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
▸Chapter 15.48 — EXCAVATION, GRADING, FILLING AND CLEARING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 15.52 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 15.56 — RECYCLING AND DIVERSION OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS
- Chapter 15.58 — FIRE CODE
▸Title 17 — ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
▸EAST PALO ALTO DEVELOPMENT CODE 2018 EDITION Current as of: an ordinance adopted February 6, 2…
Overview▸Title 18 — DEVELOPMENT CODE
Overview▸Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWABLE USES AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
▸Article 3 — REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL ZONES
Overview- Chapter 18.22 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
- Chapter 18.24 — Accessory Structures
- Chapter 18.26 — Fences, Hedges and Walls
- Chapter 18.28 — Trees on Private Property
- Chapter 18.30 — Off-Street Parking and Loading
- Chapter 18.32 — Signs
- Chapter 18.34 — Performance Standards
- Chapter 18.35 — Affordable Housing - Basic Provisions
- Chapter 18.36 — Affordable Housing - Density Bonus
- Chapter 18.37 — Inclusionary Housing
- Chapter 18.38 — Affordable Housing Impact Fee - Residential Development
- Chapter 18.40 — Affordable Housing Impact Fee - Nonresidential Development
- Chapter 18.42 — Wireless Communications Facilities
▸Article 4 — REGULATIONS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES AND ACTIVITIES
▸Article 5 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 18.50 — General Provisions
- Chapter 18.52 — Tentative Map Filing and Processing
- Chapter 18.54 — Parcel Maps and Final Maps
- Chapter 18.56 — Additional Subdivision Procedures
- Chapter 18.58 — Subdivision Design and Improvements
- Chapter 18.60 — Dedications, Reservations and Exactions
- Chapter 18.62 — Dedication of Land for Park and Recreational Purposes
- Chapter 18.64 — Residential Condominiums
- Chapter 18.66 — Residential Condominium Conversions
- Chapter 18.68 — Non-Residential Condominiums
- Chapter 18.70 — Enforcement
▸Article 6 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND PARCELS
▸Article 7 — PERMIT PROCESSING PROCEDURES
Overview- Chapter 18.80 — General Provisions
- Chapter 18.82 — Application Processing Procedures
- Chapter 18.84 — Zoning Clearances
- Chapter 18.85 — Preliminary Ministerial Review
- Chapter 18.86 — Site Plan and Design Review
- Chapter 18.88 — Administrative Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits
- Chapter 18.90 — Variances and Minor Variances
- Chapter 18.92 — Planned Development Permit
- Chapter 18.94 — Temporary Use Permits
- Chapter 18.96 — Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Chapter 18.98 — Reasonable Accommodations
- Chapter 18.100 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits and Extensions
▸Article 8 — DEVELOPMENT CODE ADMINISTRATION
- STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
- CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
- ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
- CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE AND DISPOSITION LIST