Apply to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADUs)

Adding an ADU is a complex project. 

Follow these steps to prepare for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project. 

If you do not follow our instructions carefully, it will take us longer to review and approve your application.

Prepare for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project

If your project is for an ADU plus other work, or for only an ADU using the Local Program, submit a Project Application (PRJ) to the Planning Department first for In-House Review before submitting a building permit. The planner assigned to review the Project Application will issue a Planning Approval Letter following review. The Planning Approval Letter, including all necessary attachments, will be required for submittal of a building permit application. Once you receive the Planning Approval Letter, please follow instructions below. 

• If your project is only for an ADU and work related to ADU construction using the State or Hybrid Program, or if you already received Planning’s Approval Letter for an ADU using the Local Program, start your application online.
• You must upload your plans with your application.

After you apply, we will send you a confirmation email with your application information.

If you have not applied for your street tree permit yet, apply now.

Upload this checklist with your tree planting application. You must fill this out even if you will not plant new trees.

Start your tree planting permit application with Public Works

You must track your construction waste if your project is for:

• New construction
• Additions greater than 1,000 square feet
• Remodels or alterations that cost $200,000 or more

We will review your application and email you within 5 business days.

You may need to update your plans to address plan check comments.

After we review all your documents, we will email you an invoice with your filing fee.

You must pay your filing fee online for your permit application to be processed. Then we will route your application to plan check.

Your filing fee will depend on whether you are doing a full or site permit and whether you’re applying for new construction or an alteration. Permit fees are between 6-9% of construction costs.

For ADUs using the State or Hybrid Programs, we will invite your design professional to an online meeting with plan checkers to review our comments.  

You may need to make changes to your plans and resubmit them. We will invite your design professional to a second meeting with plan checkers to review your revisions.  

or

Respond to plan checker comments 

For ADUs using the Local Program, we will invite you to a Bluebeam session to review our comments. Bluebeam is our plan review software.

You may need to make changes to your plans and resubmit them. 

Learn how we use Bluebeam

If you are changing curb cuts, apply for your Street Improvement Permit after you receive your building permit application number.

Apply for your Street Improvement permit.

You will need to complete a Notice of Special Restrictions (NSR).

You may also need to complete a Costa Hawkins agreement.

These documents must be recorded before we can issue your permit.

Your permit application will go through a comprehensive review process.

All City departments have to approve your permit before we can issue your permit.

After we have reviewed your application, we will tell you:

• What your final fee is
• How to pay your final fee
• What next steps to take (if any)