# Lotline

> Simple, easy-to-follow guides to getting an accessory dwelling unit permitted in California: timelines, submittal requirements, corrections and city-by-city notes.

Lotline is an independent publication. It is not a government agency, a law firm or a licensed design firm. Each page is written from the statute text or a city's own published ADU documents, lists the documents it drew on, and shows the date it was last reviewed. Content is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so readers should confirm requirements with their permitting agency.

## California guides

- [How long an ADU permit takes in California](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/guides/adu-permit-timeline-california.md): California sets three clocks for an ADU permit: 15 business days for completeness, 60 days for a decision and 60 business days for an appeal. How each one works.
- [Your ADU application was marked incomplete. What now?](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/guides/adu-application-incomplete-notice.md): What a California city must put in an ADU incomplete notice, what it can't add later, and how to answer the list clearly and on time.

## California state law

- [ADU impact fees and the 750 square foot line](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/laws/adu-impact-fees.md): California bars impact fees on ADUs of 750 square feet or less of interior livable space. What counts, what larger units pay, and which charges sit outside the rule.
- [Legalizing an unpermitted ADU built before 2020](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/laws/unpermitted-adu-rules.md): California limits when a city can refuse a permit for an unpermitted ADU built before 2020, and waives most impact and connection fees. How Section 66311.7 works.
- [SB 543: what changed for ADU permits in 2026](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/laws/sb-543.md): SB 543 took effect on January 1, 2026. It added a 15-business-day completeness check and an appeal with a deadline, and moved several ADU code sections.

## California cities and counties

- [San Diego: ADU permits in the City of San Diego](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/san-diego.md): San Diego's 2026 ADU rules from Information Bulletin 400: zero side and rear setbacks with conditions, the 1,200 sq ft cap, coastal zone limits and required forms.
- [Los Angeles County: ADU review in unincorporated Los Angeles County](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/los-angeles-county.md): How unincorporated Los Angeles County applies SB 543 and AB 1154: the 15-business-day check, a 14-day window to appeal, interior livable space and JADU covenants.
- [Los Angeles: ADU rules in the City of Los Angeles](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/los-angeles.md): How the City of Los Angeles applies ADU law through ZA Memo 143: the two approval tracks, fee rules, JADU deed restrictions, and where 2026 state law has moved on.
- [Long Beach: Converting a garage to an ADU in Long Beach](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/long-beach.md): What Long Beach asks for when you convert a garage to an ADU: who can use the city's conversion form, how fire separation affects setbacks, and PAADU plans.
- [Menlo Park: Getting an ADU permit in Menlo Park](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/menlo-park.md): How Menlo Park reviews ADU applications in 2026: its initialled checklist, how it counts the 15 and 60 day periods, and the survey, drainage and tree items.
- [Sacramento: Getting an ADU permit in Sacramento](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/sacramento.md): Sacramento's 2026 ADU handout explained: Planning approval before Building, two ADUs per lot, sprinkler exemptions, one water service and the 750 sq ft fee line.
- [Pleasanton: Getting an ADU plan preapproved in Pleasanton](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/pleasanton.md): How Pleasanton's ADU plan preapproval works for designers and builders: the fillable cover sheet, the six-foot fence and screening note, and optional WUI details.
- [Oakland: Oakland's building criteria for ADUs on one-family lots](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/oakland.md): Oakland's ADU building criteria for one-family lots: all-electric detached units, separate panel and meter, sewer routing, room sizes and the 50% demolition rule.
- [Moreno Valley: Permitting an attached or converted ADU in Moreno Valley](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/moreno-valley.md): What Moreno Valley asks for on an attached or converted ADU: one merged PDF in SimpliCITY, a city address first, and five clearances before issuance.
- [San José: The ADU permit process in San José](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/california/san-jose.md): How San Jose's ADU permit process runs in 2026: the Universal Checklist, the water company flow letter that delays projects, SJePlans roles and issuance fees.

## About

- [About Lotline](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/about/): who publishes the site and who it is for
- [How we work](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/how-we-work/): how pages are researched, checked and dated
- [Disclaimer](https://www.lotlinepermits.com/disclaimer/): limits on how this information should be used

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