Palo Alto
Palo Alto is an incorporated city in Santa Clara County, California.
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Who to contact
- Palo Alto ClerkOfficial records, meetings and licences.
- Phone
- (650) 329-2571
- Address
- 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301
- Website
- Visit website
- Palo Alto Building and Permits and Planning and ZoningBuilding permits and inspections.Zoning, land use and development review.
- Phone
- (650) 329-2496
- Address
- 285 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301
- Website
- Visit website
- Palo Alto interactive zoning mapOfficial city map that shows the zoning district of every property in the city.
- Palo Alto zoning codeThe city zoning rules: districts, allowed uses, setbacks, height and parking.
- Palo Alto building and land use permitsWhich permits are required for building, land use and site work, and how to apply.
- Palo Alto Public WorksRoads, bridges and right of way.
- Phone
- (650) 329-2151
- Address
- 250 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301
- Website
- Visit website
Who handles what in Palo Alto
- Zoning and land use
- Office
- Palo Alto Planning and Zoning, (650) 329-2496
- Building permits
- Office
- Palo Alto Building and Permits, (650) 329-2496
- Property value and homestead
- Office
- Santa Clara County Assessor, 408-299-5500
- Property tax bills
- Office
- Santa Clara County Department of Tax and Collections, (408) 808-7900
- Deeds, mortgages and plats
- Office
- Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder, (408) 299-5688
- Roads
- City streets
- Palo Alto Public Works, (650) 329-2151
- State highways
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Where to find things
- California food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official California food-assistance program information, listed by USDA. Find application guidance and program contacts. Check the program for current eligibility, benefits, and EBT help.
More options
- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- California local food-assistance officesFind a local office that handles food-assistance applications and case questions. Choose your county or service area in this official state directory.
- California unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official California unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
More options
- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- California Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find California Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
More options
- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- California energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find California energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
More options
- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- California WIC programWIC nutrition help
WIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
More options
- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- California CalWORKs child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance for qualifying CalWORKs families, application information, and county contacts. Check current eligibility and funding with the program.
More options
- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- California rental assistance and public housingRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- California emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
More options
- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- California CalWORKs cash aidCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
More options
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- California child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
More options
- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- California Department of AgingSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- California Department of RehabilitationDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- California veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
More options
- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- California unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
More options
- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- California driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
More options
- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- California consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
More options
- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- California emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
More options
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to find who owns a piece of land
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
About Palo Alto
Palo Alto is an incorporated city in Santa Clara County, California. The city makes its own local rules inside its limits; zoning and building permits are handled by the city in some places and by the county or state in others. Property values and land records stay with the county.