Walk the change in level
Mark the high and low ends of the proposed building area. Note where a short, comfortable path could reach the entrance.
Home
/ Santa Clara County
/ Los Altos Hills
Santa Clara County / City guide
Los Altos Hills ADU Services
On a sloping Los Altos Hills property, the level of the front door can shape the whole project. Start with a walk from the driveway and take the Town’s parcel checklist into the pre-application meeting.
Plan for your property ↓
Planning an ADU in Los Altos Hills
Meet with a planner
The Town describes a pre-application meeting and a parcel-specific checklist. Bring questions about grading, access and the reports requested for your site.
Compare the plans with the terrain
The Town’s ADU portal includes design options and a cost calculator. Use them after you have identified where the entrance and foundation might go.
02 / On the property
Find the threshold first
Walk from the parking spot to two possible entry locations. Photograph each route in both directions. A shorter path with a steeper climb may be less useful to the household than a longer, gentler approach.
Pre-construction and feasibility ↗Official resources
Town ADU guidance and pre-application steps Los Altos Hills plans portal and calculatorLos Altos Hills ADU questions
What should I take to the Town’s pre-application meeting?
Bring an address, parcel sketch, slope photos and a description of the home. Ask which plans and reports belong on your checklist.
Do I need to commission soil work immediately?
Ask the planner how the Town’s geotechnical requirements apply to your proposal before ordering a report.
What is a useful first slope drawing?
A simple section from the driveway to the proposed door shows changes in level better than a flat footprint alone.
Can I use the Town’s plans portal?
Yes. Its ADU page links to the portal. Compare the floor plans with the space available for access and a foundation.
How do I evaluate a longer approach path?
Note changes in grade, night lighting, resting space and the route a person carrying groceries would take.
What should I show about drainage?
Photograph visible drainage paths and mark which side of the proposed home receives water after rain. Have the design team investigate.
What are MDA and MFA?
The Town uses these terms for maximum development area and maximum floor area. Ask the planner to explain the parcel-specific calculation.
Can a calculator predict hillside construction costs?
Use it as a starting estimate. Request separate allowances for investigation, grading, foundations and access.
How can I compare two locations on the same lot?
Compare door-to-driveway travel, earthwork, privacy and utility distances on a single sheet.
Which nearby guide covers the City of Los Altos?
Los Altos has its own building guidance. Confirm which jurisdiction governs your parcel before using either guide.