ADU permit process in Union City, 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 property-specific ADU/JADU conditions or pre-approved-plan use
Review City ADU checklist For a pre-approved plan, contract with the responsible designer and identify site-specific requirements Applicable checklist and, if applicable, pre-approved-plan path
- 2
Apply for ADU/JADU Building Permit with City checklists
Contact Building Division with submittal questions Submit Building Permit application with ADU/JADU Zoning Checklist and Design Standards Checklist For JADU, record the Declaration of Restrictions ADU/JADU Building Permit application
- 3
City reviews ADU/JADU Building Permit submittal
Provide the submitted application and checklists Plan-review outcome or comments
- 4
Resubmit plans or revisions if City requests changes
Submit City-requested resubmittals or revisions at the Building Division counter Resubmittal or revision for City handling
- 5
Request Building inspection by telephone
Call the City inspection line before the published cutoff Provide permit number, project address, inspection type, requested AM/PM period and contact phone number City inspection request and, if accepted, confirmation
What you need to submit
- ADU and JADU Zoning Checklist
- Design Standards Checklist
- JADU Declaration of Restrictions
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use Union City’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 Union City 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
- CityBuilding
The City’s current Building page labels its linked schedule as FY 2026-2027, but the linked PDF itself identifies FY 2024-2025 and effective July 1, 2024, creating an unresolved date conflict.
Accessed August 28, 2026
Accessed August 28, 2026
The live City program page confirms that pre-approved plans still need a site-specific building permit and may require additional site-specific plans, studies, and engineering, but it publishes no fee amount.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City’s dated 2023 checklist identifies the permit path, utility coordination, and over-750-square-foot impact-fee condition but provides no current rate table.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City’s August 2024 certificate requires payment confirmation from ACWD and Union Sanitary District before ADU Building Permit issuance, but it explicitly says its listed utility amounts change periodically and must be verified.
Accessed August 28, 2026