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Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND

Chapter 21.32 — CONDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

21.32.010 Application for exceptions.

A subdivider may apply for conditional exceptions to the requirements and regulations set forth in this title and Title 18, as defined in Section 21.04.030(b)(17). Such exceptions may be granted only by the city council after recommendation by the planning commission. Application for such exception shall be made by petition of the subdivider, stating fully the grounds of the application and the facts relied upon by the petitioner. Such petition shall be submitted with the tentative or preliminary parcel map for which the exception is requested and shall be reviewed and processed concurrent with said map.

(Ord. 5432 § 19, 2018: Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.32.020 Justifications and findings, conditions.

(a) Exceptions shall be granted only upon a finding that the approval will secure substantially the objectives of the regulations or requirements to which the exceptions are requested, shall protect the public health, safety, convenience, and the general welfare and shall be consistent with and implement the policies and objectives of the comprehensive plan. Any approval of exceptions may be made upon such conditions as are deemed necessary to secure such compliance.

(b) Exceptions shall be granted only upon making the following findings:

(1) There are special circumstances or conditions affecting the property.

(2) The exception is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the petitioner.

(3) The granting of the exception will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property in the territory in which the property is situated.

(4) The granting of the exception will not violate the requirements, goals, policies, or spirit of the law.

(c) In the event an exception is granted, any conditions necessary to achieve the objectives of this title, the comprehensive plan, or any provision of law shall be imposed.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.32.030 Minor subdivision.

The director of planning shall not be authorized to grant any exceptions. In the event a petition for exceptions is filed in conjunction with a tentative

parcel map, the director of planning shall not approve or disapprove the map, but shall process said map and forward it to the planning commission and city council for action as in the case of a tentative map.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

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▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. ▸Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
    Overview
    1. 21.04 General Provisions
    2. 21.08 Maps Required
    3. 21.10 Parcel Maps for Urban Lot Splits in Single-Family Zones
    4. 21.11 Streamlined Subdivisions Resulting in Ten or Fewer Parcels
    5. 21.12 Tentative Maps and Preliminary Parcel Maps
    6. 21.13 Vesting Tentative Maps
    7. 21.16 Final and Parcel Maps
    8. 21.20 Design
    9. 21.24 Dedications
    10. 21.28 Improvements
    11. 21.32 Conditional Exceptions
    12. 21.36 Appeals
    13. 21.40 Conversions of Rental Housing to Condominiums and Other …
    14. 21.44 Certificates of Compliance
    15. 21.50 Park Land Dedication or Fees In Lieu Thereof
    16. Chapter 21.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    17. Chapter 21.08 — MAPS REQUIRED
    18. Chapter 21.10 — PARCEL MAPS FOR URBAN LOT SPLITS IN SINGLE-FAM…
    19. Chapter 21.11 — STREAMLINED SUBDIVISIONS RESULTING IN TEN OR F…
    20. Chapter 21.12 — TENTATIVE MAPS AND PRELIMINARY PARCEL MAPS
    21. Chapter 21.13 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
    22. Chapter 21.16 — FINAL AND PARCEL MAPS
    23. Chapter 21.20 — DESIGN
    24. Chapter 21.28 — IMPROVEMENTS
    25. Chapter 21.32 — CONDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS
    26. Chapter 21.36 — APPEALS
    27. Chapter 21.40 — CONVERSIONS OF RENTAL HOUSING TO CONDOMINIUMS …
    28. Chapter 21.44 — CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE
    29. Chapter 21.50 — PARK LAND DEDICATION OR FEES IN LIEU THEREOF
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

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