Adding an ADU to your property just got easier.

Elk Grove's pre-approved, shelf-ready ADU plans give homeowners and designers a faster path to permit approval by starting with designs that have already been reviewed and approved by the city. Choosing a pre-approved plan can significantly reduce review time and help you break ground sooner.

Browse these resources to find plans and submittal checklists for your project:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Policy and Procedure No.: B-25-37

Purpose

This handout establishes a procedure for complete plan review submittals when new residential accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units are proposed. According to current code regulations (CRC, CBC, and California Energy Code), permits are required when buildings or structures are constructed, altered, repaired, moved, converted or demolished. Therefore, the following guidelines shall be reviewed before commencing any work.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a residential dwelling, either attached or detached, that offers fully independent living facilities for one or more individuals and is situated on the same lot with an existing or proposed primary residence. ADUs must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.

Requirements

  • Has a kitchen
  • Has a place for someone to sleep
  • Has a full bathroom
  • Detached units cannot exceed 1,200 square feet
  • Setbacks must comply with City Zoning regulations. Please contact the Planning Division for additional information. 
     

What is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)?

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family dwelling and may include separate sanitation facilities or share sanitation facilities with the existing dwelling. A Junior ADU may include the conversion of an attached garage.

Requirements

  • Limited to 500 sq. ft. 
  • Separate entrance from primary residence
  • Has an efficiency kitchen  (cooking facility with appliances, food preparation counter, and cabinets)
  • Has its own bathroom or shares a bathroom with the primary residence
  • Attached, or part of, the primary residence
  • On a property that is owner-occupied

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ADUs require Development Impact Fees?
  • ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from development impact fees.
  • For ADUs 750 square feet or larger, development impact fees may be applied proportionally based on the ratio of the ADU's square footage to that of the primary residence.
  • This FAQ applies to city collected fees only. Please contact the applicable outside agencies concerning non-city collected fees. 
Are there additional fees and permit requirements beyond the City's?

We recommend contacting each agency directly to confirm requirements and fee amounts.

My lot seems too small; can I still build my ADU?
  • Most lots vary in shape and size, and this guide addresses the most common conditions.
  • There are different types of ADUs suited for different lots. For example, if a detached ADU won't fit in your backyard, you could:
    • Attach an ADU to your existing house
    • Build an ADU above your garage
  • The ADU must comply with site-specific setback requirements.
  • You are encouraged to discuss options for your lot with the City's Planning Division. 
Are there distance requirements between property lines or structures on a property when building an ADU?

  • If an ADU is within a 5ft setback from a property line or adjacent building then fire separation requirements as well as fire resistant construction from the California Residential Code will apply.

  • For additional information please contact the Building Division at (916) 478-2235 or by email at [email protected]

Do I have to provide off-street parking for my ADU?
  • Generally, off-street parking is not required for ADUs. If a garage is converted to an ADU, no replacement parking is needed.
  • An ADU must provide (1) additional off-street parking space per bedroom unless it meets any of the following criteria, in which case no additional parking is required:
    • Located within 1/2 mile walking distance of public transit (e.g., bus stop).
    • Located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
    • Part of the existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.
    • On-street parking permits are required but not available to the ADU occupant.
    • A car-share vehicle is located within one (1) block of the ADU
  • For Junior ADUs (JADUs), no additional parking is required, even when the JADU is converted from an attached garage.
Does my ADU have to match my existing or new house?
  • The ADU must be compatible with the architectural style, materials and colors of the main dwelling unit.
Are fire sprinklers required in an ADU?
  • It depends. ADUs are not required to have fire sprinklers if the primary residence does not have them. For example, a garage conversion to an ADU would not require sprinklers if the main residence is not sprinklered. 
  • However, if a new main residence and ADU are constructed together, sprinklers would be required in both units, as per the California Residential Code.
  • Please contact the Cosumnes Fire Department for specific requirements.
Is Photovoltaic Solar required on my ADU?
  • Generally, yes. Under the California Energy Code (Section 150.1(c)14), a PV solar system is required for newly constructed detached ADUs with applications submitted on or after January 1, 2020.
  • The solar system can be installed on either the ADU or the main house. If the main house already has solar, the ADU system can be added to the existing system.
  • Mobile home ADUs do not require PV solar systems and are subject to Title 25 regulations.
  • A separate permit is required for the ADU PV solar system.
Must the homeowner live at the property?
  • No, both the existing house and the ADU can be rental units.
  • However, for Junior ADUs (JADUs), the property owner must live in one of the units. 
Can I legalize for unpermitted ADU?
  • Although this guide focuses on new construction, you may be able to obtain permits to legalize an existing unit on your property.
  • Contact both the Planning Division and the Building Division for additional information and guidance.
Where can a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) be created, and can it be expanded?
  • A JADU may be created within the walls of a single-family residence but not within an accessory structure. 
  • JADUs may not be expanded beyond the existing dimensions of the single-family dwelling. 
What is the definition of an efficiency kitchen as required for a JADU?
  • An efficiency kitchen is a cooking facility that includes:
    • Appliances
    • A food preparation counter
    • Storage cabinets
  • These features must be of reasonable size in relation to the size of the JADU.
Are multiple JADUs allowed on a single-family residential site?
  • No. Only one Junior ADU (JADU) is allowed per lot zoned for single-family residences with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling. 
  • The JADU must be created within the walls of the proposed or existing single-family residence including attached garages.
  • Even if there are multiple detached single-family dwellings on one lot, only one JADU is permitted. 

Submittal Standards

City Building Permit and Development Impact Fees

It is recommended that you contact the Building Division for all applicable costs. To request a fee estimate, please email a completed copy of the Residential Fee Quote Worksheet for processing. 

Online Electronic Submittal Required

All plans, supporting documents, and building permit applications and forms must be submitted electronically. 

Please review our Electronic Plan Review Policy for submittal guidelines. 

Plan Review Timelines

Please allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the initial plan review and five (5) business days for each subsequent review. An additional 24–48 hours should be allowed for processing after each submittal.

 

Plan Submittal Checklist

  • City of Elk Grove Permit Application

    Permit Application

    Completed and signed. See link above

  • City of Elk Grove Addressing Application

    Addressing Application

    Completed and signed. See link above

  • Site Plan

    Drawn to scale that include:
    1. Property line dimensions including the north arrow and scale (Exp. 1/4, 3/16, 1/8 inch per foot)
    2. Location of all buildings and structures on the parcel that show the minimum separation distance(s) between the ADU and surrounding structures and property line(s).
    3. Please indicate if any trees and tree types are being removed for construction of the ADU
    4. Fire separation requirements to property lines and existing structures (Ext. Walls, Projections, Openings and Penetrations of Exterior Walls).
    5. Location of public and/or private utilities, (Sewer, Water, Electricity, and Gas). Easement locations
    6. Location and ampacity of the existing Main Electrical Service Panel at residence.

  • Building plans

    1. Sheet Index that matches the plan sheets and building plans to scale (Exp. 1/4, 3/16, 1/8 inch per foot)
    2. Occupancy classification(s).
    3. Fire Suppression System. Y/N?
    4. Applicable Building Codes, (California Building, Residential, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Cal Green Energy, Fire and City of Elk Grove Municipal Codes).
    5. Fully dimensioned floor plan that shows all rooms. Include window and door types and sizes.
    6. 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.
    7. 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:

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

  • Plumbing Plans that include:

    1. Size and location of existing sanitary sewer lateral serving the residence.
    2. Sewer lateral size, location, and point of connection serving the ADU.
    3. Two-way cleanout to grade.
    4. Size, length, and location of existing water supply distribution pipe serving the residence.
    5. Size, length, and location of water supply distribution pipe serving the ADU and point of connection, unless the building has its own meter.
    6. Location of the water heating appliance.
    7. 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. 

  • Title24 Energy Compliance Documentation

    registered with an approved data registry. Read additional information
    1. Submit the required list of Low-Rise Mandatory Measures Summary as outlined in the California Energy Code and incorporate in the plans.

  • Structural Plans that include:

    1. 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).
    2. Roof Framing details or a signed sealed engineered truss design package. Location of all shear walls, transfer, and connections, (engineered design).
    3. 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).
    4. Foundation plan that includes foundation size, rebar reinforcement placement, stem wall, slab on grade etc.

  • Structural Calculations

    for vertical and lateral loads 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.

  • Solar Photovoltaics.

    Once the permit has been approved and issued by the City of Elk Grove, the solar submittal must be submitted separately for plan review. The solar permit will be issued separately from the accessory dwelling unit permit and the installation must be completed prior to a final building inspection.

Permit Process

Step 1: Submittal 

Submit all required applications, a full set of construction plans, and all relevant supporting documents to the Building Division Filedrop for a cursory review.  

  • Please review the Plan Submittal Checklist above for specific submittal requirements.
  • Electronic Plan Review Policy: Please review this policy for detailed submittal guidelines. 

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. Additionally, you will receive a list of outside agencies that must approve the project before the Building Division can issue the building permit. We highly recommend contacting each agency as soon as possible to understand their processes and fee requirements. Addressing this early will help prevent any delays in the permit issuance.

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 final permit fees due. All outstanding items must be addressed prior to the issuance of the building permit. You can then proceed with the next step in the process.

Step 4: Permit Issuance

Once all outstanding items have been received and final fees are paid, the building permit will be issued. The permit, along with the stamped approved plans and all applicable supporting documents, will be emailed to the permit holder. The permit holder will need to download and print all stamped approved plans and supporting documents and make them available to the Building Inspector upon inspection.

Step 5: Inspections

The permit holder is responsible for scheduling all the required inspections and ensuring that all approved plans and supporting documents are available to the Building Inspector during inspection. Inspections can be scheduled in the following ways:

  1. Automated Inspection Scheduling Line

    Call (916) 478-2225.

  2. Online Scheduling

    Use the eTrakit permit and inspection program.

Once all required building inspections have been completed and approved, the final building inspection can be scheduled. 

Please note that prior to scheduling the final building inspection, any separate building permit requirements and inspections (e.g., Solar Photovoltaic Permit), including field inspections from outside agencies, may be required depending on your project's specific criteria.  The final inspection will not be approved unless all outstanding permit requirements have been addressed. 

Step 6: Certificate of Occupancy 

A final Certificate of Occupancy will be issued to the permit holder once all inspections have been completed and, if applicable, all required outside agency approvals have been received. The permit holder will receive the final Certificate of Occupancy via email.

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