California planning directory
California Pre-Approved ADU Plans: City-by-City Finder
Compare verified city pre-approved and pre-designed ADU programs, see what the standard plan actually covers, and identify the site-specific work that still has to be reviewed before a permit can be issued.
The statewide baseline
Pre-approved plans can shorten design review—but they do not pre-approve your property.
California HCD’s March 2026 ADU Handbook explains that AB 1332 requires local agencies to maintain a program for preapproval of ADU plans. For a qualifying detached ADU that uses a plan already preapproved by the local agency, another California agency, or an identical plan from a previously approved detached ADU, the local agency generally must approve or deny the application within 30 days.
Verified directory
The California Pre-Approved ADU Matrix
This is a curated directory of programs we have verified against current official city materials. It is not intended to list every California jurisdiction.
| City / jurisdiction | Program type | Plan cost | Current plan options | What is already reviewed | What still needs site review | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LADBS Standard Plan Program | YOU-ADU is free; private-plan pricing varies | Large approved-plan pool; City-provided YOU-ADU is 455 sq. ft., 1 bedroom | Repeatable building plan reviewed for applicable building, residential and green-code requirements | Zoning, foundation, utilities, site placement, overlays and other parcel-specific review | LADBS |
| Chico | City pre-approved catalog | Free city plans | 14 plan variations; one-story options at 496, 599 and 749 sq. ft., plus a 599 sq. ft. two-story over-garage option | Standard plan design; the City also states the plan designer provides energy calculations free of charge | Site plan, ECSP, setbacks, utility/sewer issues, permit review and parcel constraints | City of Chico |
| Morro Bay | Regional pre-designed stock plans | Plan sets published; verify current permit and review fees | Six published plan sets: 316, 445, 626, 746, 927 and 998 sq. ft. | Regional stock-plan package | Pre-designed ADU submittal requirements, parcel/site review, utilities, current fees and coastal or other local constraints | City of Morro Bay |
| San José | Vendor preapproved program | Varies by vendor | Multiple currently approved vendor plans, including 1- and 2-bedroom options; the approved list changes over time | Standard non-site-specific construction plans reviewed by City staff | Site-specific location, utilities, setbacks, zoning and hazard eligibility; incomplete or exceptional projects take longer | City of San José |
| Fresno | City pre-approved plans | Five free city plans | 340, 499, 625, 625-over-garage and 1,015 sq. ft.; three design elevations are offered for each plan | Pre-approved construction drawings, including solar-plan information | Pre-construction site/plot plan, setbacks, utilities, fire conditions and building-permit review | City of Fresno |
| Arroyo Grande | Regional pre-designed stock plans | Plan sets available; City requires a plan-review fee | Six unit types from about 316 to 1,007 sq. ft., with four architectural styles | Regional pre-designed building plans | Site plan, property-line dimensions, setbacks, utilities, erosion control, easements, stormwater documents and permit review | City of Arroyo Grande |
Reality check
What “pre-approved” actually means
1. The building is repeatable. The site is not.
A stock or vendor plan can reduce repeat architectural and structural review. If your next question is what a “free” plan actually saves, use our California pre-approved ADU plan cost guide. You still need a site plan that shows the ADU on your actual parcel, including distances to property lines and other structures.
2. Utilities stay property-specific.
Water, sewer, electrical service, meter configuration and connection routes depend on the existing property and provider. Cities can still require site-specific documentation and capacity checks.
3. Foundations can depend on site conditions.
If soils, slope, drainage, hazard conditions or the proposed foundation fall outside the assumptions of the standard plan, additional engineering or a modified submittal may be required.
Program details
Open the city guide before choosing a plan.
Los Angeles
LADBS offers both private Standard Plans and the free 455-sq.-ft. YOU-ADU. The repeatable building plan is pre-approved, but LADBS still reviews zoning, foundation and site-specific information for the property.
Chico
The City offers 14 plans free of charge and separately offers a site-plan/ECSP preparation path. The useful question is not just “Which floor plan?” but “Does my parcel fit the selected plan without creating access, utility or site-plan problems?”
Morro Bay
The regional program publishes six stock-plan sets, but a coastal property can add a separate layer of review. Treat the plan as a building starting point, then verify the current 2026 city checklist, parcel constraints and coastal-development path.
San José
San José uses a vendor-based system. The City preapproves standard construction plans, while homeowners still submit site-specific documents. The City says same-day permit issuance may be available when a qualifying site-specific package is accurate and complete.
Fresno
Fresno publishes five free pre-approved plans and provides its own ADU cost estimator and permit resources. The City still reviews the site/plot plan and project-specific fire, access and utility conditions.
Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande participates in the same regional plan effort as Morro Bay, Atascadero and Grover Beach. Its process explicitly requires a plan-review fee and a site plan showing property lines, footprint, setbacks, utilities, erosion control and easements.
Why the directory will keep changing
California requires local plan-preapproval programs, but the actual catalogs, vendors, fees and eligibility rules are local and can change. We keep this finder limited to programs we have source-checked rather than claiming statewide completeness.
Use the finder
A better sequence than downloading the first plan you like
Confirm jurisdiction
Make sure the parcel is actually inside the city whose plan program you want to use. County mailing addresses can be misleading.
Screen the property
Check available buildable area, setbacks, existing structures, access, hazards, utilities, easements and any coastal or septic issues.
Choose a plan that physically fits
Compare footprint dimensions, bedroom count, height and orientation—not just square footage.
Download the current city packet
Use the city’s current application, site-plan instructions, fee schedule and any required release or vendor forms.
Price the site-specific work
Budget for site planning, surveys, engineering where needed, utility work, permits, construction and contingency. “Free plans” do not mean a free project.
Submit one consistent package
Keep the site plan, selected stock plan, utility information and application forms aligned so corrections do not create conflicting documents.
Next planning step
Turn a stock plan into a property-specific decision.
ADU Project Planner is an independent educational resource. Pre-approved plan programs, fees and eligibility rules can change. Re-check the official city source before purchasing design services or submitting a permit application.