New Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permitting webpages

Dear Customers,

We’ve updated our Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) webpages to better guide you through the design and permitting process.

Here are links to the new main ADU page and the new, comprehensive step-by-step page that walks you through the permitting process from Planning Department approval to submitting your permit application to final inspection.

You’ll also see pages with directions for checking if an ADU is allowed on your property, instructions for designing ADUs and formatting your plan set, and the requirements for tree planting and public notice. We also have information about the Permit Review Roundtable used for ADU plan check and a handout to help homeowners understand ADU code requirements.

We also encourage design professionals to check out the Department of Building Inspection's (DBI) pre-approved ADU design program.

For a fee, building designers can submit detached ADU plans and the City will conduct a basic review. Once the plans are approved, DBI will add an image of the finished ADU to our website and property owners will be able to select a layout, hire the building designer to prepare site-specific plans, and submit a permit application.

We hope you find this new information useful and, as always, please send feedback and suggestions to dbi.communications@sfgov.org.

Thank you for your support and partnership. Stay safe.