Important Reminder

This checklist is intended only for the review and approval of a Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plan. To begin construction, a building permit must be submitted separately. The building permit process includes additional plan review, applicable fees, and may involve review by outside agencies. It is processed independently from the Master Plan approval described in this checklist.

Approval of a Pre-Approved ADU plan does not grant permission to start construction. A site-specific review is still required, including planning and zoning clearance, and a valid building permit must be issued before any work can begin.

Refer to the Pre-Approved ADU – Plan Submittal Checklist for additional building permit requirements.

Plan Review Fees

We recommend contacting the Building Division to obtain an estimate of plan review fees prior to submission. To request a fee estimate:

Submittal Process

  • Electronic Submittal Required: All required documents and plans listed on the Submittal Checklist below, shall be submitted electronically using the Building Filedrop.
  • All electronic plan submittals must comply with the required file format and naming protocol. Plans must also be unprotected to ensure proper building division stamping. Please refer to the City’s Electronic Plan Review Policy for complete submittal guidelines and instructions.

Submittal Checklist

  • City of Elk Grove Master Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plan Application:

  • Building plans that include:

    • Sheet Index that matches the plan sheets and building plans to scale (Exp. 1/4, 3/16, 1/8 inch per foot)
    • Occupancy classification(s).
    • Fire Suppression System. Y/N?
    • Applicable Building Codes, (California Building, Residential, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Cal Green Energy, Fire and City of Elk Grove Municipal Codes).
    • Fully dimensioned floor plan that shows all rooms. Include window and door types and sizes.
    • Exterior Elevations to scale in the North, South, East, and West directions that illustrate the roofing covering material and slope, exterior wall covering material(s), and building height.
    • Cross Section Plan Views in the transverse and longitudinal directions that illustrate the foundation, interior and exterior walls, beams, ceilings, (or vaulted assemblies) attic spaces, and roof rafters, (or pre- manufactured trusses).

  • Electrical Plans that include:

    • Location and ampacity of panelboard, (Metered or Sub-panel).
    • Electrical Load Calculations Worksheet for each residence unless the panelboard has a meter socket.
    • Electrical Symbols Plan Legend.
    • Interior and exterior receptacle outlets and AC Disconnect(s).
    • Interior and exterior lighting fixtures and wall switch outlets.
    • HVAC equipment, (Forced Air Unit, Air Handler(s), Heat Pump, Condenser, and AC Disconnect(s).

  • Plumbing Plans that include:

    • Size and location of existing sanitary sewer lateral serving the residence.
    • Sewer lateral size, location, and point of connection serving the ADU.
    • Two-way cleanout to grade.
    • Size, length, and location of existing water supply distribution pipe serving the residence.
    • Size, length, and location of water supply distribution pipe serving the ADU and point of connection, unless the building has its own meter.
    • Location of the water heating appliance.
    • Single-line isometric drawing of the gas piping system that includes the BTU rating of each appliance, material type, length of each branch and pipe drop if the accessory dwelling unit is supplied with fuel gas. 

  • Structural Plans that include:

    • Design loads, (Roof Live 20 psf. Dead 20 psf; Floor 40 psf. Bedrooms 30 psf; Wind Loads 93 mph; Seismic Design Category D; Soil Bearing Pressure 1,500 psf; Exposure C).
    • Roof Framing details or a signed sealed engineered truss design package.
    • Location of all shear walls, transfer, and connections, (engineered design). Location of all braced walls, transfer, and connections, (prescriptively designed out of the California Residential Code or California Building Code for Conventional Light- Frame Construction).
    • Foundation plan that includes foundation size, rebar reinforcement placement, stem wall, slab on grade etc.

  • Structural Calculations

    For vertical and lateral loads are needed if a California licensed architect or engineer has provided the design. If premanufactured trusses are installed, please provide the Truss acceptance letter from the engineer.

Plan Review Timeline

A Permit Technician will review the submittal and determine if it is complete or incomplete within 48 hours. If deemed complete, the project will proceed to plan review.

Allow a minimum of (10) ten business days for the first plan review and (5) five business days for all other subsequent reviews. Please allow an additional 48 hours processing.

Plan Approval

At approval, you will be notified by a Permit Technician of any outstanding items, and any final plan review fees due. All outstanding items must be addressed prior to final approval of the Master ADU plan.

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 the 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 the stamped approved plans will then be sent to the designer via email.

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