- Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, Northern California
Story pole installation in Los Altos
Story poles for the City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills, from plan to installation
Local requirements
Los Altos story pole requirements, City and Los Altos Hills
The City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills are separate jurisdictions with different story pole rules. The Town asks for poles on most new homes and larger additions; the City asks for them on larger multi-story projects.
Official sources, reviewed September 2026: Town of Los Altos Hills Story Pole Policy (updated September 2025) and City of Los Altos Open Government Policy. Requirements can change; confirm the current instructions with your assigned planner.
Town of Los Altos Hills
New buildings, second stories and additions over 900 sq ft. Rigid poles with 2-ft orange snow fencing, up before public notice and at least 10 days before the hearing.
City of Los Altos
Multi-story commercial, multifamily, mixed-use and public projects, with poles up at least 20 days before the first hearing. Single-family review uses a site notice.
What we do
Our story pole services in Los Altos
01
Plans and drafting
We design and draft the story pole plan so planning commissioners and staff can read pole locations and heights at a glance.
02
Surveyed pole locations
We work with licensed surveyors to stake pole locations on vacant sites; on sites with existing buildings our crew measures them directly.
03
Installation and photos
Our crew installs the temporary framing mock-up and sends photographs confirming the installation is complete.
How it works
How a project typically goes
Consultation
We review your plans and send a written proposal, and confirm whether the City or the Town reviews the parcel.
Design and drafting
We prepare your story pole plan, usually in 1 to 2 business days.
Site measurements
Surveyors stake pole locations on vacant lots. On built sites our crew measures pole locations and heights directly.
Installation
Our crew installs the mock-up ahead of the notice and hearing deadlines. You do not need to be on site.
Photographs
Photographs of the completed installation are sent as confirmation. Poles stay up through the hearing and any appeal period.
FAQ
Los Altos story pole questions
Usually, for new buildings, second-story additions, additions over 900 sq ft, roof height increases and larger accessory structures. Under the 2025 policy, some single-family homes up to 19 ft and 4,000 sq ft can post a 3D rendering instead.
Only for specified multi-story commercial, multiple-family, mixed-use and public-facility projects. Single-family design review uses an 11 by 17 inch posted site notice instead.
Weather-resistant metal poles with high-visibility orange mesh or netting, stable enough to last through the public viewing period. Los Altos Hills asks for a 2-ft orange band along ridgelines and eaves and does not accept plastic piping.
No. As long as our crew and the surveyors have access to the property, we handle everything and coordinate directly with your architect or project manager.
Through the public notice period and the hearing, until the appeal period has passed. If a Los Altos Hills project is appealed, they stay until the appeal is decided.
Request a Los Altos story pole quote
Send the project address, current drawings and hearing date. We confirm whether the City or the Town reviews it and reply with a written proposal.
Call or text · (650) 613-1721
hello@AllAmericanStoryPoles.com
