ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in Mission Viejo, California

ADU size

California prohibits development impact fees for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less, so the 749 / 750 / 751 steps are worth comparing.

Estimated total

Where the money goes

These are fee components within the permit process, not separate approvals.

• Separate planning / zoning fee$450 – $1,100

  Shown only where the City bills Planning or zoning review as a separate fee.

• Building plan check$1,240 – $2,790

  The Building Division’s review of the drawings; part of the Building Permit process.

• Building permit issuance$1,250 – $2,650

  The permit issuance charge; where plan check is bundled, the combined amount is carried here.

• Separate trade permits$550 – $1,250

  Shown separately only where electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits are billed outside a combination permit.

• School district fees$2,200 – $3,300

  Possible school-district developer fees based on current thresholds and scope.

• Utility fees$600 – $3,000

  Possible water, sewer, electrical, meter, or capacity-related charges.

• Processing, inspection & records$825 – $1,735

  Fixed processing, inspection, records, and administrative charges.

• Surcharges, taxes & state fees$1,029 – $1,035

  Percentage surcharges, construction taxes, and State-mandated charges.

The darker segment is the low end of the range; the full bar is the high end.

Published fee references