ADU permit process in Lafayette, California
Contra Costa County, California
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
We haven’t written Lafayette’s permit guide yet.
We publish permit process guides one city at a time, and we would rather publish nothing than guess at Lafayette’s rules using another city’s process. Permit steps, submittal requirements, and review timelines are set locally, so a guide copied from a neighboring city would be wrong in ways that cost you time.
Here is what is useful for Lafayette right now.
See the fee estimate for LafayetteStart here instead — official and primary sources for Lafayette
- CityFees
The City states that Contra Costa County Building Inspection and other agencies have separate, non-overlapping fee schedules and links the City planning and development schedule.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The three-page City schedule lists a $700 ADU Zoning Administrator fee, a 50% County permit-fee surcharge, and separate development-impact components. Its ADU footnote states no fee under 750 square feet and a proportional primary-unit formula at or above 750 square feet.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City says all new ADUs need building-permit approval and that its development impact fees for new ADUs are temporarily reduced 50% through 2026.
Accessed August 28, 2026
What to ask the Lafayette building department
- The current building permit fee schedule, and the date it took effect.
- Whether development impact fees apply at your square footage — many California cities waive them for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.
- Plan submittal requirements: what drawings they expect, in what format, and whether submittal is online or in person.