ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in San Francisco, California
An early-budgeting estimate of the permit-related fees an accessory dwelling unit is likely to incur in San Francisco. These are not official figures.
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
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
$6,600 – $35,500
Assumed construction valuation
$270,000
Used only to compute valuation-based fees. It is not a construction quote.
Where the money goes
- Building permit$2,000 – $7,000
The core permit issued by the city building department.
- Plan check$1,500 – $5,000
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
- Impact fees$0
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
- School district fees$0 – $5,500
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
- Utility connection$2,500 – $15,000
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
- Inspection$500 – $2,500
Field inspections during construction.
- Technology & surcharges$100 – $500
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.
- 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.
Department of Building Inspection permit fee
$2,000 – $7,000
Estimated range
Fees for the Department of Building Inspection - SF.gov
Plan check
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
Plan check fee
$1,500 – $5,000
Estimated range
San Francisco ADU guide (secondary source)
Impact fees
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
California ADU impact-fee exemption under 750 sq ft
$0
Estimated range
San Francisco ADU guide (mentions state impact-fee rule)
School district fees
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
School district fee threshold for ADUs
$0 – $5,500
Estimated range
San Francisco ADU guide (secondary source)
Utility connection
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
Utility connection / capacity fees
$2,500 – $15,000
Estimated range
San Francisco ADU guide (secondary source)
Inspection
Field inspections during construction.
Inspection-related fees
$500 – $2,500
Estimated range
Fees for the Department of Building Inspection - SF.gov
Technology & surcharges
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
Technology surcharge fee
$100 – $500
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 San Francisco before you commit money.
City reference pages for verification