ADU permit process in Pacific Grove, California
Last verified August 29, 2026
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
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
Step by step
- 1
Confirm objective-standard route and property-specific agency conditions
Compare the concept with Chapter 23.80 objective standards. Confirm water, sewer, Fire, grading/landscape/stormwater, historic or other site triggers with the responsible authority. Ministerial Building route or conditional Use Permit/agency path
- 2
Request optional on-site screening for a potential conversion ADU
For garage/accessory/living-space conversion, contact Building if an on-site eligibility inspection is useful. Use the checklist's minimum health/building attributes to prepare. Pre-permit observations for plan preparation
- 3
Prepare application, property-specific plans and conditional agency documents
Prepare the Building application, construction drawings/site plan and applicable supporting evidence. Request a separate ADU address and conditional permits/clearances at the stage instructed by Building. Building application package
- 4
Submit the ADU/JADU Building Permit package using current Building instructions
Obtain the current submission channel from Building and provide the application/plans/supporting documents. Do not begin work because the application is not a permit. Received ADU/JADU Building Permit application
- 5
City determines whether the application is complete
Provide missing materials if City identifies a completeness deficiency. Completed application for statutory action or deficiency request
- 6
Building performs ministerial plan review and applicable agencies review triggered items
Respond to Building and only the agencies triggered by the project. Approve/deny action or written deficiency/remedy comments
- 7
Address written defective/deficient items when the application is denied or corrections are required
Use the City's written list and remedy description to revise the affected materials. Corrected response package
- 8
Resubmit corrected materials for City re-review
Deliver the complete correction response by the assigned Building instructions. Re-review/back-check action
- 9
Complete review, applicable approvals/fees/documents and obtain Building Permit issuance
Complete only the agency prerequisites triggered by the project. Pay required fees and sign required documentation before receiving the permit. Issued Building Permit and approved plans
- 10
Construct under the issued permit and obtain required inspections
Request Building inspections using the current inspection line/instructions. Provide a conditionally required sewer-lateral report before framing and complete required repairs before final. Building inspection results and progression toward final
- 11
Complete address and applicable agency conditions before Building final
Complete ADU address assignment before Building final. Finish any required sewer-lateral repair and other applicable agency final conditions. Request and obtain Building final approval before treating the permitted work as complete. Building final result
What you need to submit
- Completed ADU Building Permit application
- Property-specific construction drawings and site plan
- Applicable water, sewer, Fire, school/TAMC, stormwater and other agency evidence — only in some cases
- Sewer lateral inspection report and any required repair evidence — only in some cases
- ADU address assignment request
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use Pacific Grove’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 Pacific Grove 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
Additional city reference pages
- CityFee Schedule
The live City Finance page says FY2026-27 fees are current, but expressly delays Community Development fee changes until September 1, 2026; all other fees take effect July 1, 2026.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The City-hosted FY2026-27 Community Development schedule contains valuation-based permit and plan-review rows, but the live City Finance page states this Community Development schedule is not effective until September 1, 2026.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The City Building page says permit fees follow the adopted fee schedule, plan-review fees are collected on application, and identifies separate school and outside-agency approval or fee paths.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The live City ADU page directs applicants to water-adequacy and MPWMD processes, the City Building Permit application, and the City ADU ordinance.
Accessed August 29, 2026
The City ADU ordinance sets the under-750-square-foot impact-fee exemption, proportionality for qualifying larger ADUs, and the conversion-ADU/JADU utility connection and capacity-charge rule.
Accessed August 29, 2026