Chapter 05 · The Places · Santa Clara County

ADU builder in Palo Alto.

Adding a backyard residence in Palo Alto creates flexible family space and strong equity. Our team handles the city's permitting from start to finish. $180K–$557K all-inclusive, with a permitting budget built in. Most homes are delivered in 4 to 9 months once permits clear.

Palo Alto Santa Clara Co. · 70 min from factory

70 min from our Salinas factory

Palo Alto sits well inside our delivery range.

Palo Alto ADU Rules

What applies on your lot.

1,200

ft² max · detached ADU

4 ft

min. side / rear setback

60-day

ministerial permit clock

1

parking space max, often waived

Palo Alto follows the California statewide ADU baseline; local rules can't go below it. Full rulebook with citations →

Why Us for Palo Alto

We're local. Actually.

Our family-run team is based right here. Our factory sits in Salinas, 70 minutes from Palo Alto, and we have built across this region for years. When we say "local," we don't mean a sales rep who covers your area from somewhere else. We mean the people who design, build, and deliver your home are your neighbors.

That matters more than you'd think. When a planning department needs a clarification, we go in person. When an inspector flags something, we are there the same day. No phone tag, no road trips, no "we'll get back to you next week."

70

minutes from our factory

14

models

4–9

months to keys

4.9/5

stars on Google

05 Our Local Team

Palo Alto Santa Clara County

Popular in Palo Alto

These three models fit most Palo Alto lots.

BEST VALUE Four Fifty 450 ft² · Studio · 4 months → MOST POPULAR Six Sixty 660 ft² · 1BR · 5 months → BEST FOR RENTALS Six Sixty 2BR 660 ft² · 2BR · 5 months →
See all 14 models →

From Our Families

Real families, real reviews.

“Everything we would have picked out was already in there.”
Richard & Maria · San Jose · 660 ft² · 1 Bed · Living closer to family

These are excerpts from real, verified Google reviews. Read more →

Palo Alto ADU FAQ

Questions about building in Palo Alto.

Palo Alto follows California state ADU law. For the full rulebook with citations, see our ADU Rules Lookup, the Santa Clara County ADU regulations guide, or the statewide California ADU laws 2026 overview.

How big can an ADU be in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto follows California state ADU law. Detached ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 sq ft under state law. Cities may cap size lower, but never below 850 sq ft (studio or 1 bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms). Smaller lots may also qualify for a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 square feet. Our 14 models range from 405 to 1,200 square feet, and your free property analysis confirms exactly which sizes your lot allows.

What are the setback requirements in Palo Alto?
4 ft from side and rear property lines for new construction (0 ft for a conversion within an existing structure). Front setback follows the main home's zoning. We confirm the exact setbacks for your specific lot during the free site visit (step 3 of our process).

Do I need to add a parking space?
At most 1 space per ADU, with broad exemptions: within a half mile walking distance of public transit, when replacing a garage, and for conversions. Most lots qualify for an exemption. We verify your lot's parking situation as part of the feasibility study.

How much are Palo Alto ADU permit fees?
Permit and impact fees vary by city, ADU size, and utility connections. Your project price carries a permitting budget built in, and we handle every submission for you. Exact fees are set by your city and county and are itemized in your feasibility study.

How far is your factory from Palo Alto?
Our factory is in Salinas, about 70 minutes from Palo Alto. Palo Alto is well within our service area and we're ready to build for you.

Your Palo Alto Property

Let's see if your Palo Alto lot can host an ADU.

Our team will pull your property records, check setbacks, and tell you straight in about 30 minutes, free.

See If My Property Qualifies →
BBB A+ 4.9 Google ReviewsCSLB #1047146MFG #1595931James Hardie® Siding