Stanford University

Home Improvements

Home improvement projects for homes on a Stanford lease must be reviewed and approved by FSH prior to the commencement of work.

Alert: Stanford is no longer approving Junior ADU home improvement projects. Building regulation manuals will be updated this Fall to reflect this change.

Home Improvements

Step Number 1 Review Stanford’s Building Regulations applicable to your Ground Lease area:

Stanford Campus San Juan Residential Subdivision Building, Design, and ADU Manual
Stanford Campus Olmsted Terrace Building Regulations and Declarations
Palo Alto University Terrace Architectural Guidelines
Palo Alto Building Regulations
Menlo Park Building Regulations

Step Number 2 Review Home Improvement Projects FAQs

Home Improvement Projects Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Step Number 3 Submit the Project Application and Construction Notification forms

Complete and submit the Project Application form

Include any additional information such as:

drawings
photos
spec sheets
architectural plans
Complete and submit the Construction Notification form for Stanford campus homes with projects lasting over 30 days

Step Number 4 Pay the Project Application fee

To pay the fee, visit the Faculty Staff Housing website and select “Make a Payment”, located at the top of any FSH webpage.
Acceptable online payment methods: Direct Bank Account Charge or Credit Card.
Check made payable to Stanford University is accepted.
Cash is not accepted.

Step Number 5 Homes 50 years old or older may require additional historic review time

See the Historic Homes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Step Number 6 Stanford’s approval can take up to 10 workdays after receiving all requested information