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Location:
285 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto CA 94301
Telephone:
Phone: 650-329-2496
Fax: 650-329-2240
Hours:
WEEKDAYS: Open 8am–4pm

Chief Building Official
Larry I. Perlin, PE, 650-329-2550

Assistant Building Official
Mac Saberi, PE, 650-329-2368

Plan Check Staff
Evon Ballash, PE
Plan Check Engineer
650-329-2143
  
Annie Rosendale
Contract Plans Examiner
650-329-2234
  
Permit Technicians
Henry Rafael, 650-329-2339

Anne Shannon, 650-329-2195

Inspection Services Supervisor
Bud Starmer (#5), 650-329-2445
 
Building Inspector Specialist
Rhonda Parkhurst, Electrical (#15)
650-329-2658
 
Building Inspectors
Robert Dunbar (#17)
650-329-2109

Charlie Moloney (#16)
650-329-2242

John Sayers (#21)
650-329-2663

Paul Schultz (#10)
650-617-3110
 
Brent Hipsher, Contract (#18)
650-617-3173

Residential Inspection Guidelines

Contractors working in Palo Alto can download residential inspection guidelines to help comply with 2010 California Residential Code, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy Code, and Electrical Code requirements and provide insight about what to expect during an inspection. The Inspection Voice Response (IVR) number(s) are in front of the inspection title and the primary inspections are identified with red font.

IVR# Residential Building Inspection Guidelines
Common Errors and Pitfalls
Living in House During Construction
Address and Premises Identification
201
Pre-Demolition Utilities Removal
111
Pre-Construction Meeting
Safety, Security and Sanitation
Storm Water Pollution Prevention
Inspection Time Allotments
Sequence of Inspections
105
Demolition
202
Temporary Power - General Contact Form
(City Manager's Office - Pilot Program)
 
FOUNDATION TO FINAL
204, 407
Foundation General Requirements
Concrete Entries and Exits
Concrete Landing, Porch, Patio, and Steps
208, 206
Basement Slab and Walls
211
Post Tension Slab
205, 209
Pier and Grade Beam
210
Shotcrete
206
Slab on Grade
207
Masonry Construction (CMU)
212, 213
Joist & Underfloor Combo
214
Underfloor Insulation
215
Daylight Plane
216
Roof & Exterior Sheathing and Structural Frame
220
All Trades - Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, and Frame
235
Insulation
303
Drywall
101
Final
 
UTILITIES RELEASE
221
Gas Meter Release
405
Electrical Meter Release
 
REMODEL INSPECTIONS
Bathroom Remodel Final
Kitchen Remodel Final
 
ROOFING
802, 805, 808
Roofing General Requirements
Roof Drains
Roof Overlay
Metal Roofs
Single Ply Membrane Roof
806
Spray Applied Foam Roof
Tar and Gravel Roof
Clay and Concrete Tile Roof
 Cool Roof (Residential)
FIREPLACE
Fireplace Chimney Transition Frame
240
Masonry Fireplace and Chimney
239, 245
Factory Built Fireplace and Hearth
 
LATH
218
Exterior Lath
244
Tile Lath
Steam Shower
 
TITLE 24 ENERGY
Lighting Requirements
Title 24 Energy requirements
 
MECHANICAL
605
Air Conditioning Compressor
Furnace and Water Heater Occupancy Separation
Combustion air for Gas Appliances
609
Furnace in Attic
609
Furnace in Closet/Alcove
609
Furnace in Floor
609
Furnace in Wall
Gas Vent Termination
613, 614
Roof Top Equipment
Whole House Fan
 
ELECTRICAL
Alternative Breakers
Communication Circuits
Electrical Conversion (Overhead to Underground)
Electrical Service Utilities Checklist
405,406
Electrical Panel Final
Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems Submittal
Electrial Vehicle Supply Equipement EVSE Checklist
Generator & Transfer Switches
Generator Pre-Submittal Checklist
247
Hot Check
Low Voltage Lighting
246
Panel Torque
Torque Specification
701, 702, 703
Photovoltaic Inspection
Photovoltaic Pre-Submittal Checklist
PLUMBING
224
Backwater Valve (Sewer)
510 Backflow Prevention Device (Water Supply)
602
Boiler
CSST Gas Piping
Excessive Water Pressure
Grey Water Systems
610
Hydronics
PEX Piping
508
Pipe Bursting
505
Re-Pipe (Water Pipes)
224
Sewer Replacement
                901,901 Septic Tank Removal
241
Shower and Deck Pan
512
Sumps and Sewage Ejectors
704, 705, 706
Solar Water Heating
504
Tankless Water Heater
225
Water Service
503
Water Heater
Underslab/Structure Gas Pipe
203
Underslab and Slab Plumbing
222
Whole House Gas Test
 
SWIMMING POOL AND SPA
901, 902
Pool & Spa Demolition
903, 904, 905, 906
Pool & Spa Inspection
 
FIRE INSPECTION
After Fire Occupancy
Wildland Urban Interface Development
GREEN BUILDING
Green Building Tips
Green Building Rebates
 
MISCELLANEOUS
Deck Inspection
Fence Code
240
Fire Pit and BBQ
Flood Hazard Area Requirements
Garage Conversion
Handrails, Guards, and Stairs
Joint Trench
Manufactured Home
Protection of Excavation
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
302
Steel Stud Framing
Survey Letter Requirements
Tree Removal Procedure
Truss
Exterior Wall Covering & Siding
Windows
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City of Palo Alto City Hall - 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Main Telephone Number 650-329-2100 8am-5pm M-Th, Alt Fridays