Menlo Park ADU Builder: Design, Permits and Construction
Type Five designs, permits and builds custom ADUs in Menlo Park, with one team handling design, engineering, permits and construction. In Menlo Park the key number is 800 square feet: detached ADUs at or under that size get 4-foot setbacks, a 16-foot height limit and an exemption from floor area limits, while larger units up to 1,000 square feet face stricter rules.
Building an ADU in Menlo Park
Menlo Park's ADU rules for single-family lots split detached units into two tiers. Stay at 800 square feet or less and the city treats your ADU generously: it can go over the lot's floor area and coverage limits as long as it's built at the same time as, or after, the main house. Go bigger, up to 1,000 square feet, and you get a 10-foot rear setback, a daylight plane and no floor area exemption.
That is why most of our early conversations in Menlo Park start with layout, not finishes. A well-planned 800-square-foot two-bedroom often gives a family more than a 950-square-foot unit squeezed to fit a daylight plane.
Type Five is a design-build firm based in Berkeley. We design with our site-built modular system and build every ADU on your lot with conventional wood framing, so the plan fits your setbacks, trees and the way you use your yard.
As seen in the New York Times.
Menlo Park detached ADU rules: the 800 square foot line
Rule | Up to 800 sq ft | 801 to 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
Size | 150 sq ft minimum, 2 bedrooms max | 1,000 sq ft max |
Side and rear setbacks | 4 ft (interior side, corner side and rear) | Side setbacks match the main house, 10 ft rear |
Front setback | Same as the main house | Same as the main house |
Maximum height | 16 ft | 17 ft |
Daylight plane | None | Starts 9.5 ft high, 3 ft in from the side line, at 45 degrees |
Floor area and lot coverage | Can exceed if built with or after the main house | Can't exceed the lot's floor area limit |
Parking, JADUs and the rest of the rules
Menlo Park generally asks for one off-street parking space per ADU. It can be tandem or sit in a setback, and the state exceptions apply, such as being within half a mile of transit. One local detail matters more than people expect: overnight on-street parking isn't allowed in single-family districts, so if your tenants or family have cars, plan where they'll go.
You can also add a junior ADU of up to 500 square feet inside the house. It needs its own exterior entrance and can share a bathroom with the main home.
Not sure whether to build detached, attached or a conversion? Our Peninsula ADU contractor guide walks through the tradeoffs.
How Menlo Park reviews an ADU permit
Since January 1, 2026, Menlo Park reviews ADU applications in two steps. The city first checks whether your application is complete, within 15 business days. Every resubmittal restarts that 15-day clock. Once the application is complete, the city has 60 calendar days to approve or deny it.
The practical takeaway: a clean first submittal saves you weeks. Across 15 Type Five projects first submitted between June 2025 and May 2026 that now have a building permit, the median time from first submittal to issued permit was 120 days. The fastest took 50 days and the slowest 196. Projects still in review aren't counted, so read it as a benchmark, not a promise. Our permit speed guide compares cities using public data.
What sets Type Five apart?
Here is what working with us looks like in Menlo Park.
- One team. Design, engineering, permits and construction stay with Type Five from start to finish.
- A fixed budget before you build. We visit your site and give you a guaranteed budget for the whole project before construction starts.
- Built on site, built to last. Every ADU is wood-framed in place. There's no crane day and no question about whether a module will clear your trees or driveway.
- Design you can configure. Try layouts and finishes online, then refine the plans with our architects.
What our clients say
Don’t just take our word for it. Read more in-depth client testimonials.
"The design process with Type Five felt more streamlined, and the experience allowed us to stay focused and avoid being overwhelmed by too many options."
“I feel like we got all the benefits of a custom build, without the uncertainty.”
"Type Five was really attractive because that's what they were offering: a full-service construction company with an established design system."
Planning an ADU in Menlo Park?
Tell us about your lot and what the ADU is for. We'll help you work out which side of the 800-square-foot line makes sense and what it would take to build.
How our process works
One team takes your project from first sketch to move-in, with a fixed budget before construction starts.
FAQs about building an ADU in Menlo Park
Short answers to the questions Menlo Park homeowners ask us most.
How big can a detached ADU be in Menlo Park?
Up to 1,000 square feet on a single-family lot, with a 150-square-foot minimum. Units of 800 square feet or less can have up to two bedrooms and get looser setbacks and height rules and can exceed floor area limits.
What are the setbacks for an ADU in Menlo Park?
For a detached ADU up to 800 square feet, 4 feet at the interior side, corner side and rear, and the same front setback as the main house. Between 801 and 1,000 square feet, side setbacks match the main house and the rear setback is 10 feet.
How tall can an ADU be in Menlo Park?
16 feet for a detached ADU up to 800 square feet, with no daylight plane. Larger detached units can reach 17 feet but must stay under a daylight plane.
Do I need a parking space for my ADU?
Usually one off-street space, which can be tandem or in a setback. State exceptions, like proximity to transit, can remove that requirement. Overnight on-street parking isn't allowed in Menlo Park single-family districts.
How long does Menlo Park take to approve an ADU?
The city has 15 business days to decide whether an application is complete, restarting with each resubmittal, then 60 calendar days to approve or deny a complete application.
Can I build a JADU in Menlo Park?
Yes. A junior ADU can be up to 500 square feet inside the house, needs an exterior entrance, and may share sanitation facilities with the main home.
What does an ADU cost in Menlo Park?
It depends on size, site work and utilities. Our Bay Area ADU cost guide breaks down the full budget, and we give every client a guaranteed budget before construction starts.
Are you a prefab ADU company?
No. Type Five is a design-build firm, and we build every ADU on site with conventional wood framing. Our site-built modular design system gives you some of what people like about prefab, like set layouts and clear pricing, while the home itself is built from the ground up to fit your lot.