# Getting an ADU permit in Sacramento

> Sacramento runs ADUs through Planning before Building, allows two per lot, and prints its fee and sprinkler thresholds on a two-page handout. One of those thresholds is worded differently from the statute.

Source: https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/sacramento/
Publisher: Lotline
Last reviewed: 2026-11-10

## Key points

- Planning approval, or approved concurrent review, comes before the building permit application. [1]
- Two ADUs are allowed per lot, with detached units sharing a 1,200 sq ft total. [1] [1]
- A separate water meter tap is not required. [1]
- The handout puts the impact fee waiver at less than 750 sq ft. [1]

## State rule and Sacramento practice

| Topic | California statute | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Impact fee threshold | No impact fee may be charged on an ADU with 750 square feet of interior livable space or less, or on a junior ADU with 500 square feet or less. [2] | The handout says impact fees are waived for ADUs of less than 750 square feet and applied to ADUs of 750 square feet and greater. [1] Note: The statute protects a unit of 750 square feet or less. The handout's wording, less than 750, would leave a unit of exactly 750 on the other side of the line. If your plan is at 750, raise it with the Building Division before fees are calculated. |
| Fire sprinklers | An ADU does not need fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence. [3] | A detached ADU is exempt from sprinklers if the main home is not sprinklered and the ADU, not counting a garage, is no larger than 1,200 square feet. [1] |
| Attached ADU size | A local maximum size cannot be set below 850 square feet of interior livable space, or 1,000 square feet for an ADU with more than one bedroom. [3] | An attached ADU may be 50% of the primary structure or 850 square feet, whichever is greater, rising to 1,000 square feet with two or more bedrooms. [1] |

## About the handout

The city's Building Division summarizes its ADU requirements in handout CDD-0423. Page one is marked as revised on January 29, 2026. [1] Page two still shows a 2022 revision date [1], and the city calls the handout a live document. [1] Fees, sprinklers and water service are all on page two, so confirm those points with the Building Division.

## Planning before Building

You can't go straight to a building permit. Planning approval, or an approval for concurrent review, has to be in hand first. [1] Concurrent review is requested on a Memorandum of Understanding form and needs sign-off from senior Planning staff. [1]

If an existing structure is coming down to make room, the wrecking permit approval comes before that. [1]

## How many and how large

Sacramento allows two ADUs on a lot, attached or detached. [1] Detached units share one allowance: their combined floor area can't exceed 1,200 square feet. [1] An attached ADU may be half the size of the primary structure or 850 square feet, whichever is greater, or 1,000 square feet with two or more bedrooms. [1]

> **Note:** So two detached units are possible, but they split 1,200 square feet between them.

## Submitting plans

Electronic plan check is available, and paper submittal at the public counter is still accepted. [1] A complete set includes structural plans, an electrical layout, Energy Code and CalGreen compliance documents, and photovoltaic solar plans. [1]

Each attached and detached ADU needs its own address, requested at submittal. [1] There is an unusual extra for alley units: if the alley has no alley or street sign, the applicant is responsible for installing one. [1]

## Sprinklers

The handout gives two exemptions:

- **Detached:** the main home isn't sprinklered and the ADU, not counting a garage, is no more than 1,200 square feet. [1]
- **Attached:** the home isn't sprinklered, the addition is no more than half the original structure, and the whole building stays within 3,600 square feet. [1]

> **Watch for:** The 3,600 figure can catch an attached ADU on a large house.

## Water and power

City code allows one water service connection per lot, so an ADU doesn't need its own water meter tap. [1] For solar, the handout directs applicants to SMUD for panel location, utility changes, timelines and cost. [1]

## Fees

The handout states that impact fees are waived for ADUs of less than 750 square feet and applied at 750 and above. [1] School district impact fees apply and are dealt with directly with the district. [1]

If you want numbers before committing, the Building Division will prepare a permit fee estimate for a $164 estimating fee. [1]

## Our read

Sequence is the thing to get right in Sacramento: Planning, then Building, with concurrent review as the way to overlap them. On a design near 750 square feet, settle the fee question in writing early.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many ADUs can I build on one lot in Sacramento?

Two, attached or detached. [1] Detached units share a combined limit of 1,200 square feet. [1]

### Does an ADU in Sacramento need its own water meter?

No. City code allows one water service connection per lot, so a separate water meter tap is not required. [1]

### Can I apply for a building permit before Planning approves the ADU?

Only with an approved concurrent review. Otherwise Planning approval has to come first. [1] [1] The state review periods that follow are in our [timeline guide](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/guides/adu-permit-timeline-california/#clock-one-is-the-application-complete).

## References

1. CDD-0423: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) handout. City of Sacramento, Community Development Department. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/cdd/Building/Forms/CDD-0423_Accessory-Dwelling-Units-(ADU)-Handout.pdf (read 2026-11-10)
2. California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, Article 1 (Sections 66310 to 66313.5). California Legislative Information. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=1.&title=7.&part=&chapter=13.&article=1. (read 2026-11-10)
3. California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, Article 2 (Sections 66314 to 66331). California Legislative Information. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=1.&title=7.&part=&chapter=13.&article=2. (read 2026-11-10)

General information only, not legal advice. See https://www.lotlinepermits.com/disclaimer/