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
Sacramento ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Sacramento?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Sacramento requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 15 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (10 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Sacramento?
- Core required items include: Address Request Form (CDD-0104); Architectural Plans (floor plan, elevations, sections); Building Permit Application (CDD-0200); CalGreen (Title 24, Part 11) Documents; California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) Documents; Cover Sheet, plus 4 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Sacramento?
- Sacramento accepts permit submittals via Accela Citizen Portal (Electronic Plan Check). ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.