Get your detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plan pre-approved for future use

San Francisco invites building designers to participate in the Pre-approved ADU Plans program and help make it easier for property owners to build housing in San Francisco. 

The pre-approval is only valid during the current code cycle but can be resubmitted and re-approved if in compliance with the updated code. ADU plans submitted to the program should be designed for 25’ lots and the building designer remains responsible for each site specific project.

There is a $956 flat fee to cover plan review and administrative costs for each ADU plan submitted for pre-approval. 

The following building elements will be evaluated during the pre-approval design review:

• Habitable room sizes and ceiling heights
• Window size
• Natural light and ventilation
• Title 24 lighting
• Gravity, wind and seismic code compliance from the roof to top of the foundation
• Dead loads, live loads
• Architectural wall, floor and roof assembly details, including fire rating
• Egress path within the ADU and to the ADU’s front door
• Space heating
• Hot water heating system
• Green building requirements

Apply today

To submit your ADU design for pre-approval evaluation and inclusion in the program, send the following forms and information to: dbi.preapprequests@sfgov.org.

• Detached ADU pre-approval application form
• Stamped and signed construction plans
• Stamped and signed structural calculations - design to the maximum probable dead load
• Energy calculations
• Fire sprinkler design
• An image to include on the website - maximum picture size - 225 x 150 pixels

Once your ADU pre-approval submission is deemed complete, you will be sent directions for how to pay for the ADU pre-approval plan review and DBI will schedule a Permit Review Roundtable to provide feedback and comments on the proposed ADU design. After you make any necessary revisions to bring the proposed design into code compliance, resubmit the plans, and they will be reviewed again and likely accepted as a pre-approved ADU plan.

Once an ADU plan is pre-approved, it can be submitted in a site-specific plan set for an ADU project, along with a building permit application and other required documentation. Due to geography and soil conditions in some parts of San Francisco, pre-approved ADU plans cannot be used in slope protection areas, slope and seismic hazard zones, landslide and liquefaction zones, Maher Zones, and in flood zones. For more information on how to build in these areas, please contact DBI's Technical Services Division at techq@sfgov.org.

During plan check, the City will confirm the pre-approved design is appropriate for the site-specific location and will evaluate the permit application and plan set for the following:

• Planning Code compliance, including setbacks, height, massing, open space, recycling and bike parking
• Soils report and site survey
• Fire separation distance
• Wall opening protection
• Yard size
• Fire Department access and emergency escape and rescue windows
• Egress from front door of ADU to public way
• Easement or a declaration of restrictions, if applicable
• Sprinklers, if required
• Foundation design
• Dead loads consistent with pre-approved ADU drawings
• Tree removal, if applicable
• SF Unified School District fees
• Drainage from new ADU roof to city sewer or other location identified in the approved geotechnical report
• Project specific code requirements overseen by the Planning Department, the SF Public Utilities Commission, Public Works and SF Fire, where applicable