ADU permit process in Sacramento, 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
- Permit portal
- City Online Portal System
Step by step
- 1
Obtain Planning clearance
Initiate permit process in Portal Planning clearance or further entitlement requirement
- 2
Submit electronic Building application and plans
Upload application and plans Building Submittal Record
- 3
City conducts Building plan review
Respond to City requirements Plan review result
- 4
Complete ADU construction inspections
Schedule inspections Receive approvals Inspection approvals
- 5
Occupancy after final inspection approvals
Obtain approval of all final inspections Occupancy
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use Sacramento’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 Sacramento permit report
Choose your ADU type and size to bring the City process, researched permit fees, and early construction budget into one planning report.
Planning multiple units on a single-family lot? Review our California single-family ADU combinations under SB 543 before asking the City to confirm the parcel-specific path.
Sources for this guide
Additional city reference pages
- CityBuilding Fees
The City fee hub routes users to fees by project, the fee-detail database, and a preliminary building permit estimate worksheet, while warning that several charges are administered by other departments or agencies.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The project page identifies the fee components due on residential new construction and links each component to the City's fee-detail records. On 2026-08-28, the legacy links redirected to the live ArcGIS Fees and Charges Application.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The official City-linked application shows the City-linked live application after the legacy URL redirected. Fee ID 28 states that the building-permit fee may be valuation-based, hourly, or flat, and that other fees are required before issuance.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The live City-linked record says plan review is normally valuation-based under Table B, or hourly for applicable work, and is paid when plans are submitted.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The official ArcGIS records preserve each fee's applicability, calculation type, calculation note, ordinance reference, and attachment filename. Neither record supplies a self-contained current numeric total.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The live Fee ID 28 attachment contains Table A labeled effective 2020-07-20 and Table B.1 labeled effective/revised 2025-07-19.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The attachment exposed by the live Fee ID 3123 record is explicitly effective 2016-07-01. It documents the historical method and rates but is not treated as proof of a current 2026 rate.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City offers a preliminary estimate after a worksheet submission. Preparation is billed at one current staff hour below $1 million valuation and three current staff hours at $1 million or more; the page says to allow about ten business days and excludes off-site Public Works charges.
Accessed August 28, 2026