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ADU project

ADU Permit Plans

An ADU permit needs a full set for a backyard cottage, garage apartment or in-law suite: site plan, floor plan, elevations and structure, drawn to agree.

Permit needed?
Yes. An ADU is a dwelling, so it needs a full building permit.
Who reviews it
Building and zoning department
Get Price Quote What You’ll Need
Small detached accessory dwelling in a backyard
Usually needs
  • Full Permit Set
  • Engineer’s Stamp

Drawings you’ll need

What a ADU Permit Asks For

Counties don’t all ask for the same drawings. This is what they usually want for a adu; we confirm your county’s list in the quote.

Plan review

What the County Checks on a ADU Permit

The items reviewers look for first. Every sheet we draw shows them.

  1. 01

    ADU size limit

    Floor area against your city’s maximum for ADUs.

  2. 02

    Setbacks and separation

    Distances to lot lines and to the main house.

  3. 03

    Height

    Overall height against ADU height limits.

  4. 04

    Parking

    Required parking, or a note where it’s waived.

  5. 05

    Utilities

    Water, sewer and power connections from the main house or street.

Permit sent back with comments? We revise drawings to answer each one, including plans drawn by someone else.

Permit Corrections

What to send us

What to Send Us

  • Required
    Property addressSo we can check your ADU rules
  • Required
    What kind of ADUDetached, attached, or over a garage
  • Helpful
    Size and layout ideasSketch, plan or a stock plan you like
  • Helpful
    Survey and utility infoWhere the sewer and power lines run

Missing something? Send what you have. We start from county parcel records and aerial imagery, and ask if anything else is needed.

How it works

  1. 1

    Send the basics

    Use the quote form or WhatsApp. Two minutes.

  2. 2

    Approve your price

    We check your county’s requirements and reply with the price and turnaround. Nothing starts until you approve.

  3. 3

    Get your drawings

    Drawn to scale, ready to upload to your permit portal.

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ADU permit FAQ

ADU Permit Questions

Short answers to what people ask before ordering. Ask anything else in your quote request.

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Reviewed by the MakeSitePlan drafting team
Updated October 2026

How big can my ADU be?

Each city sets its own limit, often between 600 and 1,200 square feet, sometimes tied to the size of the main house or lot.

Do I need an architect for an ADU?

Many places don’t require one for a small single-storey ADU. Some states or cities do for certain sizes; we check yours in the quote.

Which drawings does an ADU need?

Usually a full set: site plan, floor plan, elevations, a section, foundation and framing plans, and electrical, plus energy forms in some states.

Can I convert my garage into an ADU?

Often yes. A conversion needs floor plans showing the new layout, and details for insulation, windows and fire separation.

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