Sacramento ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Sacramento, California means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 15 source-cited requirements (10 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through Accela Citizen Portal (Electronic Plan Check). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Sacramento. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
A building permit is the only required approval before ADU construction (no separate planning entitlement); review is ministerial with a 60-day clock on a complete application. Plans are submitted 100% online via the Accela Citizen Portal as PDFs. Two tracks: a custom ADU (full residential plan set per CDD-0312) and the AB-1332 Permit-Ready / Shelf-Ready preapproved program, which uses free city plans and a slimmer document set — required documents differ by track.
- Address Request Form (CDD-0104)required
A new address is required for each attached and detached ADU; the request must be submitted at the time of submittal. Required in both tracks.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Architectural Plans (floor plan, elevations, sections)required
Floor plan with room uses/dimensions/ceiling heights; elevations of all four sides; longitudinal and transverse sections. (Custom-build track.)
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Building Permit Application (CDD-0200)required
The core building-permit application form, submitted online via the Citizen Portal; applies to all ADU permits.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - CalGreen (Title 24, Part 11) Documentsrequired
CalGreen compliance documentation for the conditioned area (form CDD-0183).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) Documentsrequired
Title-24 Part 6 energy-compliance documentation required by the state energy code.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Cover Sheetrequired
Address, sheet index, description of work, occupancy/construction type, fire-sprinkler status, water-closet count, All-Electric vs Mixed-Fuel, and code-cycle declaration.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Electrical Layout Planrequired
Service/sub-panel locations with amperage and bus-bar rating; switch, receptacle, and lighting locations at a review-legible scale.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site / Plot Planrequired
Scaled drawing showing dimensioned building placement/setbacks, utility connection points (water, sewer, gas, electrical), easements, driveways, drainage arrows, and north arrow. Required in both tracks.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Plansrequired
Foundation/footing details, roof and floor framing, braced/shear-wall plans, and connection details. (Custom-build track.)
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Zoning / Land-Use Approval (approved PLN record)required
Planning Division approval acquired before or concurrently with the building-permit submittal, conveyed as an approved PLN record in Accela.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - ADU Optional Zoning Review Application (CDD-0009)conditional
An optional, low-cost pre-check that the ADU meets objective zoning standards before a full permit; explicitly optional under state law.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Owner Builder Verification (CDD-0220)conditional
Required only if the permit holder is the property owner (owner-builder).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Permit-Ready / Shelf-Ready ADU Plan Set (AB-1332 track)conditional
The city's free preapproved detached-ADU plan set, used only in the Permit-Ready track (modifications not allowed; mirroring is), combined with the site plan into one PDF, plus the Hold Harmless (CDD-0439) and Owner Certification (CDD-0438) forms.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Plansconditionalverify locally
PV module layout, one-line diagram, equipment specs, and labels. CDD-0312 lists PV as required; the Energy Code may exempt some ADUs — confirm the exemption per project.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Supplemental Engineering Reportsconditional
Structural calcs, soils report, truss calcs, fire-sprinkler calcs, or special-inspection form — required only when the project scope necessitates.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22