ADU permit process in San Bernardino, 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 & Safety Division
- Permit portal
- City Online Portal System
- Contact
- 909-998-2230
Step by step
- 1
Submit selected plan to Planning for pre-approval
Contact Planning for submittal instructions Submit plans for pre-approval Planning pre-approval for the pre-selected plan path
- 2
Submit the Building & Safety counter package
Submit completed plan sets, calculations, Hold Harmless Agreement and Building Application Pay plan-review payment at submittal Building & Safety submittal
- 3
Obtain City-listed external clearances
Contact listed agencies after Building submittal Provide listed clearances to Community Development Listed address, sewer-capacity/will-serve and Fire clearances, when applicable
- 4
City conducts plan review
Monitor status through the City-listed portal or Community Development contact Plan-review status or result
- 5
Address conditions and fees before permit issuance
Respond when City contacts applicant about additional permit fees and potential school-fee letters City fee and potential school-fee-letter notification
What you need to submit
- Completed Building Application
- Three completed 24 by 36 inch plan sets including photovoltaic work
- Hold Harmless Agreement
- Two sets of supporting structural and energy calculations and manufacturer specification sheets
- Address letter, sewer-capacity/will-serve letter and Fire approval — only in some cases
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use San Bernardino’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 San Bernardino 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
The current City Building & Safety page labels and links the Building & Safety fee schedule as updated, and separately links the City's ADU page and permit services.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City says plan-review payment is collected at submittal, permit fees before issuance, additional fees and possible school letters after approval, and school-fee review is typically triggered for ADUs at 501 square feet or more. The page links the 07/2020 Building & Safety PDF as the Current Fee Schedule but does not map every ADU type to a fee row.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The schedule is marked 07/2020 and is still linked by the current City page as the updated Building & Safety schedule. It publishes the residential plan-review hourly method, addition rates, and new in-fill/custom-home table, but does not state one ADU category.
Accessed August 28, 2026