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LotlineADU permit guides

For California homeowners and small builders

The California ADU Permit Playbook

Know what your city will ask for before you apply. A step-by-step guide to state ADU law, with the worksheet, checklist, letters and calculator to use it.

Buy the Homeowner Edition · $39Buy the Builder Edition · $89

One-time payment. Instant download. Updated for the 2026 rules, including SB 543.

The Homeowner and Builder Editions of The California ADU Permit Playbook

The rules the Playbook helps you use

15 business days
for the city to say in writing whether your application is complete
Gov. Code § 66317(a)(2)
60 days
to approve or deny a complete application where a home already exists
Gov. Code § 66317(a)(3)
750 sq ft
of interior livable space or less, and an ADU pays no impact fees
Gov. Code § 66311.5(c)(1)

What's inside the Playbook

  1. 1Can I build it? A one-hour site checkWhat to look up before you pay anyone.
  2. 2The permit roadmapEach stage, who you deal with, and where things stall.
  3. 3The submittal packageWhat a complete application needs, and how to file it.
  4. 4Corrections, decodedReading a correction letter and answering it well.
  5. 5Fees and timelinesWhat you'll pay, what you shouldn't, and how long it can take.
  6. 6Your rights, made simpleThe state rules every city has to follow, and how to raise them.
  7. 7Running ADU permits for clientsScoping, expectations, estimates and records. Builder Edition only.

Look inside

Four pages from the Builder Edition, as you'll receive them.

  • Playbook sample page: Contents

    Contents

  • Playbook sample page: Part 2: the permit roadmap

    Part 2: the permit roadmap

  • Playbook sample page: Part 4: answering corrections

    Part 4: answering corrections

  • Playbook sample page: Part 6: your rights, with section numbers

    Part 6: your rights, with section numbers

The tools that come with it

  • PDFPlaybook17 pages, or 19 in the Builder Edition, with a quick reference of deadlines and sections worth citing.
  • PDFSite Check WorksheetLot, utility, hazard zone and parking details in one place, before you talk to your city.
  • PDFSubmittal ChecklistGo through your package before you file.
  • PDF6 Correction Response TemplatesCompleteness request, incomplete notice, plan check corrections, basis of a requirement, missed deadline and written appeal.
  • ExcelFee and Timeline CalculatorEnter your filing date to see the completeness, decision and appeal dates, and keep a log of every step.

Who it is for

It's for you if

  • You own a house in California and want a backyard unit or a garage conversion
  • You're partway through a review and have received comments
  • You're a designer, drafter or builder taking on ADU jobs

It isn't

  • A set of stamped plans. You still need a designer or engineer for those
  • Legal advice, or help with a dispute with your city
  • A lookup for one address

Choose your edition

One-time payment. Founding prices for early buyers.

Homeowner Edition

For homeowners planning their own ADU

$39 founding price, then $69

  • The Playbook, Parts 1 to 6 and quick reference
  • Site Check Worksheet and Submittal Checklist
  • 6 Correction Response Templates
  • Fee and Timeline Calculator (Excel)
  • 12 months of updates by email
  • For use on your own property
Buy the Homeowner Edition · $39

Builder Edition

For designers, drafters and small builders

$89 founding price, then $149

  • Everything in the Homeowner Edition
  • Part 7: Running ADU permits for clients
  • Client Fee Estimate workbook (Excel)
  • 9 editable Word templates that also open in Google Docs
  • 12 months of updates by email
  • License for one business, unlimited client projects
Buy the Builder Edition · $89

Secure checkout by Gumroad. General information, not legal advice. See the terms and disclaimer.

Who wrote it

The Lotline Editorial Team, working from the same statute text and city documents as the free guides. Every key point cites the Government Code section it comes from.

Questions

Does it cover my city?
The process and the state rules apply in every California city. For local rules, the Playbook shows where to find them on your city's website and what to check. Our free city pages cover a growing number of places.
What do I get, and how?
PDFs and Excel workbooks, plus Word documents in the Builder Edition. Your files are ready to download as soon as payment goes through, and the link is also emailed to you.
How does checkout work?
Payment is handled securely by Gumroad, our payment provider. Your receipt and download link come from Gumroad by email.
What if the law changes?
California changes its ADU rules often. Buyers get updates by email for 12 months.
Which edition should I get?
Building one ADU on your own property: Homeowner. Taking on ADU jobs for clients: Builder, which adds client tools and a license for one business.