The Palo Alto City Council has removed zoning restrictions to allow housing in Stanford Research Park, marking a step toward expanding residential opportunities in the area. SV@Home partnered with local grassroots advocacy organizations, including Palo Alto Forward, which led on ensuring the City’s 8-year housing plan included robust rezoning of land for housing development.

In a significant policy shift, the Palo Alto City Council voted to remove zoning restrictions that previously made it difficult to build housing within the Stanford Research Park. This change is part of the city’s broader Housing Element goals, which aim to accommodate 6,086 new homes by 2031. By clearing this significant regulatory hurdle, the city has ensured that the Research Park remains an option for long-term residential growth. During the City’s work on the  state-mandated 8-year housing plan known as a Housing Element, SV@Home partnered with local grassroots advocacy organizations, including Palo Alto Forward, which led on ensuring the plan included robust rezoning of land for housing development.

For decades, Stanford Research Park has been a hub for tech and commercial innovation, with limited space set aside for residential use. The council’s decision eliminates the need for a conditional use permit for housing, making it easier for new developments to move forward.

While the zoning change marks progress, Stanford has historically favored commercial leases over residential projects in this area. The university has not yet made any strong commitments to developing housing in the Research Park. Locations such as El Camino Real and San Antonio Road may be more immediate and viable sites for new housing development. However, the new zoning regulations provide an important new tool to advance more dense multifamily homes.