ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in Oakland, California
An early-budgeting estimate of the permit-related fees an accessory dwelling unit is likely to incur in Oakland. These are not official figures.
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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
$8,400 – $29,625
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 – $5,000
The core permit issued by the city building department.
- Plan check$1,000 – $3,500
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
- Impact fees$0 – $6,000
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$2,250 – $9,500
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
- Inspection$500 – $1,500
Field inspections during construction.
- Technology & surcharges$100 – $400
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
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 building permit fee
$1,500 – $5,000
Estimated range
ADU with Single Family Home | City of Oakland, CA
Plan check
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
ADU plan check fee
$1,000 – $3,500
Estimated range
Planning & Building Permit Fees & Project Requirements
Impact fees
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
California ADU impact fee baseline
$0 – $6,000
Estimated range
ADU Rules in Oakland, CA (2026) — Bay Area ADU at Lower Cost
School district fees
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
School district fee
$4.50 per sq ft
Per square foot
How much are ADU permit fees in Oakland, California?
Utility connection
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
Sewer lateral permit / compliance certificate
$250 – $1,500
Estimated range
ADU with Single Family Home | City of Oakland, CAElectric and/or gas service connection
$2,000 – $8,000
Estimated range
ADU with Single Family Home | City of Oakland, CA
Inspection
Field inspections during construction.
ADU inspection fee
$500 – $1,500
Estimated range
Technology & surcharges
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
Technology and records fee
$100 – $400
Estimated range
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 Oakland before you commit money.
City reference pages for verification