ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in Chula Vista, California
An early-budgeting estimate of the permit-related fees an accessory dwelling unit is likely to incur in Chula Vista. These are not official figures.
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
ADU size
California generally exempts ADUs under 750 sq ft from development impact fees, so the 749 / 750 / 751 steps are worth comparing.
Estimated total
Estimated total permit fees at 750 sq ft
$9,200 – $28,975
Assumed construction valuation
$270,000
Used only to compute valuation-based fees. It is not a construction quote.
Where the money goes
- Building permit$1,500 – $4,500
The core permit issued by the city building department.
- Plan check$1,000 – $3,000
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
- Impact fees$2,000 – $9,000
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
- School district fees$3,050 – $3,725
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
- Utility connection$1,500 – $8,000
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
- Technology & surcharges$50 – $250
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
- Other$100 – $500
Fees that do not fit the categories above.
The darker segment is the low end of the range; the full bar is the high end.
Read before you budget
- Most fee lines are working estimates rather than verified published city rates. Confirm every line with the city before budgeting.
Fee items
Building permit
The core permit issued by the city building department.
ADU permit fee totals shown in 2024 fee resolution
$1,500 – $4,500
Estimated range
Reso 2024-184 - City of Chula Vista
Plan check
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
ADU plan check fee
$1,000 – $3,000
Estimated range
Impact fees
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
ADU development impact fee exemption under 750 sq ft
$0
Flat fee
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) - City of Chula VistaADU development impact fees for 750 sq ft and larger
$2,000 – $9,000
Estimated range
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) - City of Chula Vista
School district fees
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
School district developer fees
$4.50 per sq ft
Per square foot
Utility connection
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
Utility service connection and capacity fees
$1,500 – $8,000
Estimated range
Technology & surcharges
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
Technology and environmental surcharges
$50 – $250
Estimated range
Other
Fees that do not fit the categories above.
Permit fee verification required
$100 – $500
Estimated range
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) - City of Chula Vista
These are estimates, not official fees
Use these figures for early budgeting only. They are not a quote, not a government fee determination, and not legal advice. Actual fees depend on your parcel, your plans, your construction valuation, your utility provider, and the fee schedule in force on the day your permit is issued. Confirm every number with Chula Vista before you commit money.
City reference pages for verification