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LotlineADU permit guides

City notesSacramento County, California

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.

At a glance

2 ADUs
allowed on one lot1
1,200 sq ft
combined limit for detached units1
$164
for a building permit fee estimate1

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
  • 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, side by side

Where the two say the same thing, and where they differ.

Impact fee threshold

California statute

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

Sacramento

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

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

California statute

An ADU does not need fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.3

Sacramento

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

California statute

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

Sacramento

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 date1, 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

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

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.

Common 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 The state review periods that follow are in our timeline guide.

Keep reading

About this page

Written by
The Lotline Editorial Team. Editorial policy
Where it comes from
We wrote this from material published by City of Sacramento and California Legislative Information. You'll find each document, and the part we used, under References below.
How it was checked
Before publishing, we checked each statement against the original wording of its source. How we work
Last reviewed
. Rules and city procedures change, so confirm current requirements with your permitting agency.
Corrections
Email support@lotlinepermits.com. We check every report against the document and fix what is wrong.

References

  1. 1CDD-0423: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) handoutCity of Sacramento, Community Development Department. Dated January 29, 2026. Read on November 10, 2026.Cited: page 1, Building Division Submittal Requirements; page 1, How Many Can I Build?; page 2, Water Service Requirements; page 2, Building Permit Fees and Impact Fees; page 2, Fire Sprinkler Requirements; page 1, Maximum Size; page 1, footer; page 2, footer; page 2, Additional Notes; pages 1-2; page 2, Addressing Requirements; page 2, Photovoltaic (PV) Requirements.
  2. 2California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, Article 1 (Sections 66310 to 66313.5)California Legislative Information. Read on November 10, 2026.Cited: § 66311.5(c)(1).
  3. 3California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, Article 2 (Sections 66314 to 66331)California Legislative Information. Read on November 10, 2026.Cited: § 66314(d)(12); § 66321(b)(2).

General information, not legal advice. Read the disclaimer.