East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. I Building Permits

The provisions of this title relating to the issuance of permits and certificates of inspection as hereinafter provided for shall not impose any liability or responsibility for personal injuries, loss of life or property damage upon the city, its officers, or employees, by reason of the issuance of any such permit or certificate of inspection, by reason of the manner in which the work authorized by any such permit is performed, or by reason of the type of materials used in performing such work.

(Prior code § 9-1.101)

The issuance or granting of any permit hereinafter provided for in this title shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or approval of any violation of the provisions of this title. No permit purporting to give authority to violate, or cancel the provisions of this title shall be valid.

(Prior code § 9-1.102)

Any improvement or installation made in violation of the terms and provisions of this title is determined to be and shall constitute a public nuisance and the maintenance and operation of such improvement or installation may be abated in a civil action instituted by the city attorney.

(Prior code § 9-1.103)

Prior to the issuance of a building permit for the construction of a building in certain areas below mentioned, the city engineer shall certify that the proposed site is adjacent to and served by streets that are improved to city standards and adequate for the proposed use of the structure for which the permit is sought. In the event that such streets do not meet city standards, the permit may be issued upon the execution of an agreement to dedicate right-of-way and install one-half of a typical city standard street, including sidewalk, transitions, etc., fronting the proposed site in a manner satisfactory to the city. In the case of construction of a new single-family residence or moving of a house onto the proposed site in a R-1 zone, R-E zone or A-1 zone with parcel size being less than one acre, such agreement shall be recorded with the county recorder to secure the future construction of the improvements. In the case of construction of any other building, or an addition of twenty-five (25) percent or more of the square footage of an existing building, in any other zone except R-1, R-E, F-1, A-1, A-2 and A-3, such agreement shall be secured by a bond or other security satisfactory to the city in the amount sufficient to cover the estimated cost of such improvements. The city engineer may recommend to the city council that the bond or other security be waived when in his/her opinion circumstances make such waiver desirable, and that the agreement be recorded with the county recorder to secure the future construction of the improvements.

In cases where there are extraordinary conditions affecting the property, the planning commission shall have the right to and may modify the strict application of this section. In such cases the applicant shall request a public hearing before the planning commission, and if, after such public hearing, the commission finds that by following the strict application of this section unreasonable restrictions, and/or unnecessary and extraordinary hardship or damage will be imposed upon the applicant, then the provisions hereof may be modified, in harmony with the general purpose and objectives hereof and in a manner that will protect the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the city.

(Prior code § 9-1.104)

Plans submitted for a building permit to construct a building which includes a parking area(s) shall be accompanied with a design of the parking facilities, drawn to scale. Such plans shall include all parking spaces and maneuvering area, curb cuts, landscaping, and other improvements. The building permit shall not be issued until such parking plans have been approved by the planning director, and no final completion inspection shall be approved until the parking spaces and required landscaping are installed.

(Prior code § 9-1.105)