A prosperous economy, an educated populace and a scenic backdrop make Palo Alto a desirable place to live—so much so that housing and growth are hot-button issues on the Palo Alto City Council, where “residentialist” candidates square off against pro-growth candidates—both those who support commercial development and those who are pushing for more middle- and low-income housing. With passions running high, Palo Alto has become one of the most expensive cities to run for council, as demonstrated in a report by MapLight, a nonpartisan group that studies the influence of money in politics.

Image for City of Palo Alto City Council

City Council

Councilmembers serve the city at large rather than representing a geographic district. Meetings are cablecast live on Government Channel 26 or 29 and broadcast via KZSU Radio, 90.1 FM.

Related News

→ View All

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

11/28/2023
Palo Alto Renters' Association, a non-profit that formed in 2020 to support local tenants, will soon be no more. It is being absorbed by Palo Alto Forward, another housing-focused non-profit, leaders of the both organizations said.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

11/27/2023
After approving raises for just about every major labor group over the past year, the Palo Alto City Council is now shifting its focus to employees who some members believe are overdue for a salary bump: themselves.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

11/27/2023
As the Palo Alto City Council voted to advance the city's rental registry, members left one critical question outstanding: What should the city do with the data once it has been collected?

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

11/24/2023
California's high-speed rail system may be more than a decade away from construction, but the beleaguered project is casting a growing shadow over Palo Alto's plans to separate its streets from its rail tracks.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

11/22/2023
Frances Dias, who served as Palo Alto's first female mayor during one the city's most politically turbulent periods, died on Nov. 9, according to her family. She was 100.
Select Facebook Feed From Menu