ADU permit process in Orinda, California
Contra Costa County, California
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
We haven’t written Orinda’s permit guide yet.
We publish permit process guides one city at a time, and we would rather publish nothing than guess at Orinda’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 Orinda right now.
See the fee estimate for OrindaStart here instead — official and primary sources for Orinda
The live City ADU page gives the under-750-square-foot impact-fee rule, the proportional rule for larger ADUs, and says all ADUs owe plan-check fees.
Accessed August 28, 2026
- CityBuilding Permits
The current City page distinguishes City Planning review from the County Building Permit and says each applicable agency has its own fees.
Accessed August 28, 2026
What to ask the Orinda 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.