HVAC in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto's instant heat pump permit.
Palo Alto offers an instant permit for heat pump and furnace systems in single-family homes, duplexes and ADUs, but only licensed contractors can use it. Its utility rebate has its own order of steps too.
Can a heat pump get an instant permit in Palo Alto?
Yes. Palo Alto offers an instant permit for new, retrofit or replacement heat pump or furnace and air handler systems, and their ducts, in detached single-family homes, duplexes and ADUs.
It is limited to licensed contractors with an active Accela Citizen Access account, so it is a contractor's permit, not one a homeowner files alone. Check your contractor's licence before the work starts.
Source: City of Palo Alto, Apply for a Building Permit, checked 2026-10-17
How do I book the final inspection in Palo Alto?
By phone. To schedule a final inspection, call the Building Division at (650) 329-2496 and select option 2.
Do I reserve the Palo Alto Utilities rebate before or after installing?
Before. Palo Alto Utilities asks you to submit the rebate reservation application to reserve funds before installing your new equipment. Once approved, funds are held for up to 120 days for you to install it.
The heat pump HVAC rebate also only applies when the heat pump replaces a gas or other fossil fuel home heater, so keep the old heater's details for the application.
Source: City of Palo Alto Utilities, Rebate Hub, checked 2026-10-17
Planning a replacement in Palo Alto?
Call and tell us what you have now and what you're thinking of, or book a visit online.
Tell us what it's doing. We'll take it from there.
Call and describe the problem: the noise, the smell, the room that never warms up. Or book a visit online.
