ADU permit process in Davis, California
Last verified August 29, 2026
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This guide includes the portions of the City permit process that passed our evidence review. Confirm project-specific requirements with the City before submitting.
Where to apply
- Department
- Building Division
- Permit portal
- City Online Portal System
Step by step
- 1
Classify the ADU route and property conditions
Use the current City ADU page and January 2026 Guidelines to identify State Exempt, JADU, Ministerial or Non-Ministerial route. Check address, utilities, Fire-sprinkler, tree and site conditions. For a Pre-Designed model, confirm current official-set specifications and code-cycle eligibility with City. Project-specific route and conditional review list
- 2
Obtain applicable preliminary Planning approval or pre-designed site clearance
For Ministerial route, submit Planning application, conceptual plans and fee. For Non-Ministerial route, submit the Administrative Use Permit package and participate in notice/comment/appeal process. For Pre-Designed route, submit the property plot plan and agreement in person to obtain the official plan set. Conditional preliminary Planning/site clearance or official Pre-Designed set
- 3
Prepare the Building Permit package
Complete the residential application and applicable current plan documents. Submit the separate address request at Building application. For Pre-Designed route, use the official unmodified set and add required property-specific materials. Application-ready Building package
- 4
Submit the Building Permit application
For ordinary applications, email the application and required documents to OnlinePermits@cityofdavis.org. For a Pre-Designed model, submit two full-sized printed custom plan sets in person as directed. City Building plan-review submission
- 5
City reviews the Building package and applicable site items
Wait for staff next-step, additional-document and fee instructions. Respond to applicable Building, Planning, Public Works or Urban Forestry review needs. Review action, additional-document request, fee instruction or approval-ready package
- 6
Address any review comments or additional-document requests
Provide requested corrections or additional materials using instructions from assigned staff. Do not alter a Pre-Designed plan; use a custom-plan route if changes are needed. Corrected/reviewable package
- 7
Complete applicable conditions and receive the Building Permit
Pay City-assessed fees using the instructed method. For a Pre-Designed model, identify the licensed general contractor required before issuance. Do not begin construction before the permit is issued. Issued Building Permit and approved plans
- 8
Construct under the issued permit and approved plans
Perform only issued-permit work. Keep work accessible for each requested inspection. Do not make field changes to a Pre-Designed plan. Permitted work ready for inspection
- 9
Request and complete required Building inspections
Call, text or email the City using the current Building-page instructions. Provide permit number, project address, contact and inspection type. Post address and keep approved plans and permit available; provide required adult/access/ladder conditions. Inspection result or additional correction/reinspection need
- 10
Obtain Building final approval before later modification of a Pre-Designed ADU
Complete the required final inspection/approval under the issued permit. Use a separate Building Permit for any later modification. Building final approval for the Pre-Designed ADU route
What you need to submit
- Planning application, conceptual plans and processing fee — only in some cases
- Wet-signed Hold Harmless Agreement and property-specific plot/site plan
- Address Change Request and processing fee
- Project-specific residential construction plans and supporting documents
- Unmodified official Pre-Designed plan set, two full-size printed copies and project-specific supplements
- Residential Building Permit Application
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use Davis’s official page to confirm which designs, site conditions, and supplemental documents qualify. Plan-check timing still depends on the project and city review.
View pre-approved plansProject-specific next step
Build your Davis permit report
Choose your ADU type and size to bring the City process, researched permit fees, and early construction budget into one planning report.
Sources for this guide
- Accessory Dwelling Units and Guest Houses
- Building Division
- Accessory Dwellings Units (ADU) Guidelines — Updated January 2026
- Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement for Pre-Designed ADU Plans
- Building Inspection Information Sheet
- Incomplete One-Bedroom Pre-Designed ADU Plan Set
- Incomplete Studio Pre-Designed ADU Plan Set
- Incomplete Two-Bedroom Pre-Designed ADU Plan Set
- Pre-Designed ADU Plans
- Pre-Designed Accessory Dwelling Units FAQ Handout
- Application for Residential Building Permit
- Residential Permit Application Checklist
Additional city reference pages
The live City Finance page states that Davis reviews and updates its fees annually and links the City-Wide Master Fee Schedule FY 2026-27.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The current City schedule states that initial plan review, including one recheck, is 65% of the Basic Fee and supplies a valuation-based Building Permit and Plan Check table.
Accessed August 29, 2026
- CityBuilding
The City Building Division says it reviews and issues permits, accepts electronic plan-review submittals, and provides the fee-payment route.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The live City page distinguishes Building-Permit-Only, Ministerial, and Non-Ministerial ADU paths and links the City’s January 2026 ADU handout.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The City handout, updated January 2026, gives Davis’s ADU impact-fee size rule and the separate-connection/capacity-charge conditions.
Accessed August 29, 2026