Menlo Park moves to virtual permit center in response to COVID-19

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the City of Menlo Park declared a local emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak and immediately took action to close public facilities and make operational adjustments. Starting April 2, the city will begin virtual operations to support existing permit applications and ongoing projects.

Mayor Cecilia Taylor stated, “The online permit center puts all the information you need at your fingertips. This new service offers an easy to use system with the power to move projects forward more efficiently.”

Staff will continue to process applications currently on file. Staff may be reaching out to applicants who submitted their applications during the latter part of January, February or March to ask that plans be submitted electronically. Applicants who wish to resubmit plans should email the Permit Team or their project planner for additional information on how to submit plans electronically via the online permit center.

New planning applications for discretionary permits (e.g. use permit, administrative permits, variances, etc.) will be accepted. Please email the Planning Division to request to speak to a planner regarding new submittals.

No new permit applications will be accepted for:

• Building permits – no building permits are being issued at this time
• Encroachment permits – no new encroachment permits are being issued at this time

All construction activity remains suspended temporarily. The City Manager or designee may authorize limited exceptions to protect life, health or safety provided they are consistent with Executive Order No. N-33-20 and/or subsequent applicable State, County or Local orders. Emergency construction requests can be submitted for review and consideration. 

For general questions, please contact:

• Building (email) – 650-330-6704
• Planning (email) – 650-330-6702
• Engineering (email) – 650-330-6740

Planning Commission meetings will continue with virtual meetings on the regularly scheduled meeting dates.

We ask for your patience and support as we continue to launch new processes and establish procedures to reinstate additional services in this new working environment. For the most current local updates, please visit menlopark.org/coronavirus. Subscribe to email notifications at menlopark.org/notifyme and select “Menlo Park City News.” For the latest health updates from San Mateo County Health, please visit smchealth.org/coronavirus.