ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in Riverside, California
An early-budgeting estimate of the permit-related fees an accessory dwelling unit is likely to incur in Riverside. 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
$3,975 – $36,625
Assumed construction valuation
$270,000
Used only to compute valuation-based fees. It is not a construction quote.
Where the money goes
- Building permit$1,250 – $4,675
The core permit issued by the city building department.
- Plan check$800 – $3,500
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
- Impact fees$0 – $8,000
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
- School district fees$0 – $6,500
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
- Utility connection$1,500 – $12,000
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
- Inspection$400 – $1,800
Field inspections during construction.
- Technology & surcharges$25 – $150
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.
- Some fee items appear more than once, so category totals may double count.
- Totals do not vary by ADU size for this city, so the size selector will not change the estimate.
Fee items
Building permit
The core permit issued by the city building department.
Building permit fee (valuation-based)
$1,200 – $4,500
Estimated range
BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN CHECK FEES - RiversideCA.govPermit application/issuance fee
$30
Flat fee
BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN CHECK FEES - RiversideCA.govPermit Application and Issuance Fee
$30 – $150
Estimated range
Plan check
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
Plan check fee (valuation-based)
$800 – $3,500
Estimated range
BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN CHECK FEES - RiversideCA.gov
Impact fees
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
California ADU impact-fee baseline
$0 – $8,000
Estimated range
ADUs and You: Accessory Dwelling Units in Riverside
School district fees
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
School fee threshold for ADUs
$0 – $6,500
Estimated range
ADU Rules in Riverside, CA (2026) — Requirements & Costs
Utility connection
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
Utility connection/upgrades
$1,500 – $12,000
Estimated range
ADU Rules in Riverside, CA (2026) — Requirements & Costs
Inspection
Field inspections during construction.
Building Inspection Fee
$400 – $1,800
Estimated range
Technology & surcharges
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
Document imaging fee
$2
Flat fee
BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN CHECK FEES - RiversideCA.govDocument Imaging and Technology Fee
$20 – $150
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 Riverside before you commit money.
City reference pages for verification