Policy and Procedure No.: B-26-43

Purpose

This policy outlines the procedure for the submittal, review, and approval of Master Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans for Designers

The City of Elk Grove offers a process for pre-approving Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in accordance with California Assembly Bill 1332 (AB-1332).

This law requires local jurisdictions to create a process to pre-approve ADU plans. Pre-approved plans will be posted on the City's website for public review along with the contact information of the designer for such pre-approved plans. This process is available to anyone interested in submitting a detached ADU plan for pre-approval. 

Restrictions and Requirements

  1. By submitting plans for pre-approval, the designer agrees that the plans may be made publicly available for viewing and download. However, the designer has the option to request that the pre-approved plans not be posted for public access.
  2. Pre-approved plans are valid only for the current triennial (three-year) cycle of the California Residential Code. Once the new code cycle starts, the plans will expire, and the expiration date must be listed on the plans. These plans will be removed from the website by the last submission date of the current code cycle. If the designer wants to use the plans in future cycles, they must update the plans to meet the new code requirements and submit them for review after the new code edition becomes effective.
  3. No element of the design or plans is allowed to be deferred or to be reliant on additional permits. 
  4. For subsequent projects utilizing the pre-approved plans, the pre-approved ADU plans cannot be revised and must be permitted as designed. 

ADU Pre-Approval Process for Designers

Step 1: Submittal Requirements

Submit a completed Master Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plan Application, along with a full set of construction plans and all relevant supporting documents, to the Building Division’s Filedrop for a cursory review.  

Step 2: Cursory Review

A Permit Technician will review the submittal and determine if it is complete or incomplete within 48 hours of submission. 

  • Incomplete Submittal

    If the submittal is deemed incomplete, you will receive a list of additional items required to complete the submission. The incomplete submittal will not proceed until a new, complete submittal is made through the Building Division’s Filedrop. Please note that incomplete submittals will not be saved or held by the division while waiting for additional items.

  • Complete Submittal

    If the submittal is deemed complete, you will be notified and provided with a timeline for the plan review. Your project will then proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once the plan review is complete, you will either receive comments that need to be addressed or approval. 

  • Plan Review Comments

    If you receive plan review comments, you must revise your plans accordingly and resubmit a complete, and updated plan set, along with any required documents and an itemized response letter. The response letter must address each original comment in writing. Incomplete responses will not be accepted. Submit all materials to the Building Division’s Filedrop for further review. 

  • Approval

    If your plans are approved, you will be notified by a Permit Technician of any outstanding items, required agency approvals, and any final plan review fees due. All outstanding items must be addressed prior to the final approval of the Master ADU plan. You can then proceed with the next step in the process.

Step 4: Final Approval and Posting

Once all the outstanding items have been received and the final fees are paid, the designer must provide a single PDF plan sheet that includes both the floor plans and all elevation plans. This sheet will be posted on the City’s webpage under the section titled Available Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plans by Designer. The post will include the Design Professional’s website, email, and contact phone number. A complete set of stamped approved plans will be sent to the designer via email. 

Available Pre-Approved ADU Plans by Designers

The City of Elk Grove does not specifically recommend, or endorse any designers whose pre-approved ADU plans are listed on this webpage.

For access to a complete plan set, please contact the designer directly using the information in the charts below. 

Plan #1 (Floor Plan and Elevation Only)
Designer's Name Website Email Phone
       
Plan #2 (Floor Plan and Elevation Only)
Designer's Name Website Email Phone
       
Plan #3 (Floor Plan and Elevation Only)
Designer's Name Website Email Phone
       

While a Pre-Approved ADU plan can expedite the review process and reduce costs, it does not guarantee automatic approval for construction. It merely helps facilitate a quicker and more affordable permit approval. A building permit is still required by the City.

Additional Permit Requirements

  • Even with a pre-approved plan, site-specific design and permit approval is still required, including planning and zoning approval, like any other new construction project. 

  • Applicants must provide a valid site plan tailored to the property and Title 24 energy documentation.

  • If the Title 24 Energy documentation requires a solar system, a separate permit for solar installation is required. The solar permit must be issued and fully inspected before the final Certificate of Occupancy for the ADU is granted.

  • Fire sprinkler requirements depend on project-specific criteria. Please contact the CSD Fire Department for additional information. 

  • Applicants are responsible for obtaining necessary approvals from external agencies, such as Fire, Sacramento County, and Environmental Management (for properties with wells or septic systems).

  • Applicants must pay applicable permit fees; schedule required inspections, and obtain a final Certificate of Occupancy.

Permit Process for Pre-Approved ADU Plans

Learn about the process

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