How much do ADU plans cost
in San Diego and Ventura counties?

What affects the plan price

• Which path you take. An Express Plan uses a pre-approved plan where the program is open and the property qualifies. A Custom Plan is an original layout.
• The lot. Slope, easements and a tight buildable area take more work.
• The jurisdiction. Not every city has an open program, and some allow no changes to their plans. The city-by-city list shows which.

Other firms price this differently. When you compare quotes, compare what is included as well as the number.

What is included

Both plan paths include:

• A permit set drawn to the adopted standards of your jurisdiction
• Responses to the first two rounds of agency corrections
• Coordination of the consultants the project requires

What is quoted separately

Consultants

Structural, Title 24 energy, soils, survey and civil engineering.

Permit processing

Submittal, agency coordination and resubmittal handling.

Plan-check corrections after the second round

The first two rounds of agency corrections are included with every plan set. Beyond that, billed hourly at the agreed rate.

Interior design

Provided through Via Rosa Design Studio.

Contractor estimates

Arranged with builders; ParcelForm does not price construction.

Ask any designer how they handle these items. A low plan price can leave much of the project outside the fee. Every figure, and what sits behind it, is on the pricing page.

Fees that change at certain sizes

Size changes your fees as well as your construction cost.

• Under 500 square feet. State law treats an ADU with less than 500 square feet of interior livable space as not increasing a school district’s assessable space. At 500 square feet and above, ask the school district what applies before permit issuance.
• 750 square feet or less. A local agency may not impose an impact fee on an ADU of 750 square feet of interior livable space or less. Above that, impact fees are charged in proportion to the size of the primary dwelling. Connection fees, capacity charges, building and plan check fees are separate and can still apply (Gov. Code § 66311.5).

Local rules differ. In Vista, for example, our guide shows that a 760 square foot unit pays impact fees that a 750 square foot unit does not. The budget tool shows how size and site conditions change the numbers for your jurisdiction.

How to avoid paying for plans you cannot use

Check the property before you buy plans. The free California Site Report identifies the governing jurisdiction and what still needs verifying. In San Diego, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the $12 Zoning Snapshot lists the ADU standards for the parcel with their code sections. It is automated research from public records and the adopted ordinance; no one reviews it before it is delivered, and it does not replace confirming with the city.

I built ParcelForm, and Bennett Design Studio prepares the plan sets. For a firm price on your property, send the address to tony@bennettdesignstudio.com or call (760) 421-6330.