Preapproved ADU Program

Preapproved ADU Plan Submittals must meet the following criteria:

1. Detached, single-unit ADUs only.
2. New construction (not conversions).
3. Minimum unit size of 250 square feet.
4. Maximum unit size of 800 square feet.
5. Maximum one-story and height up to16 feet (measured from grade to ridge).
6. Must meet High Fire construction requirements.

OPENS: MAY 1, 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2024

Prepare and submit conceptual architectural plans for Design Review preapproval. The plans must include:

1. Title sheet with placeholders for: 
   • Project Data 
   • Vicinity Map 
   • Scope of Work 
   • Sheet Index 
   • Applicable Codes 
2. Placeholder sheet for Site Plan 
3. Placeholder sheet for existing building and site photos showing all sides of the existing main residence 
4. 3-D Color Rendering of ADU  
5. Elevations showing:

• Building Materials (exterior finishes, colors, roofing materials) 
• Window Specifications (dimensions, operation (double-hung, casement), and include a window section with dimensions and muntin specifications) 
• Plate Heights, Roof Pitch 
• Building Height 

1. Building Sections 
2. Floor Plan 
3. Materials options (if proposed)

You will submit your plans for preapproval via a Planning Pre-Application. Please refer to the City's ADU Preapproval Submittal Checklist for a complete list of submittal criteria and details. 

All applications, including all supporting plans and documents, must be submitted online via our Accela Citizen Access Portal (ACA). If you have any questions about the Design Review process, please stop by the Permit Center at 630 Garden Street, or call us at (805) 564-5578, or email us at PlanningCounter@SantaBarbaraCA.gov  to be connected to a planner.

The fee for design review preapproval is per hearing:

• $514 for Architectural Board of Review (ABR)
• $514 for Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC)
• $514 for Single Family Design Board (SFDB)

Total $1,542 for review by all three review bodies

You have the option to request preapproval by one, two, or all three design review bodies (ABR, HLC, SFDB). Each hearing requires a separate fee, but only one application. The design review bodies will be looking for consistency with applicable design guidelines and quality of architectural details and materials. If you opt to be reviewed by all three design review bodies, your ADU may be preapproved citywide. If you typically only work on single family projects, you may select only SFDB, if desired. More information on the City’s Boards and Commissions is online. 

After payment of fees, the plans will be scheduled for a decision at a design review hearing. If multiple submissions are received, the City may bundle them together for review at one hearing. At the hearing, the design review bodies may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the designs. If your design is preapproved, move on to the next step. If your design is denied, you may revise and resubmit it for preapproval during the next application period in 2025. 

After your design has aesthetic preapproval by one or more design review bodies in Step 4 above, you may submit detailed drawings for Building & Safety review. 

First Round Opens: August 1, 2024
First Round Deadline to Apply: November 13, 2024
Expect a City Response by December 10, 2024

Second Round Opens: December 11, 2024
Second Round Deadline to Apply: January 10, 2025
Expect a City Response by January 28, 2025

Third Round Opens: January 29, 2025
Third Round Deadline to Apply: March 2, 2025
Expect a City Response by March 7, 2025

In addition to the information required above, your plans for preapproval must also include:

1. Structural Plans
2. Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Plans 
3. Calculations, Specifications, and Supplemental Reports
4. Structural Load and Lateral Calculations
5. Energy Calculations & Forms

You do not need to submit a separate application for this part of the review. Submit your detailed plans for preapproval by Building & Safety via the same Planning Pre-Application you used in Step 2. Please refer to the City's ADU Preapproval Submittal Checklist for a complete list of submittal criteria and details. 

All applications, including all supporting plans and documents, must be submitted online via our Accela Citizen Access Portal (ACA). Contact the Building Counter for any questions about building code review. Stop by the Permit Center at 630 Garden Street, or call (805) 564-5485 x4371 or email CDBuildingCode@SantaBarbaraCA.gov to speak to Building & Safety Counter staff.

Staff will invoice the appropriate fee based on the floor area of the ADU:

• 0-500 square feet:  $2,150
• 501-750 square feet: $3,225
• 751-800 square feet: $4,301

After payment of fees, the plans will be reviewed by the City’s Building & Safety Division and Planning Division for compliance with all codes and requirements. There may be more than one round of review if corrections are necessary. However, there is a limited 4-month window to have the plans approved. Applicants must agree to a timely resubmittal process to ensure completion within the application period. The first plan check request must be submitted by November 13, 2024, and if there are corrections, the second submittal must be uploaded by January 10, 2025.  If required, a third (and final) submittal must be uploaded by March 2, 2025.

At the end of both the Design Review Preapproval period and the Building Code Plan Preapproval period, you will be notified of the City’s decision to preapprove your plans. If your design is preapproved, the plans will be posted on this webpage along with your contact information for use by future clients. Once your ADU plan is preapproved by the City, the preapproval will remain valid until the City adopts new building or zoning codes that apply to your ADU plan. The City will notify you when such changes take place and let you know how updated plans can be submitted. The City will remove a preapproved ADU plan from the website within 30 days of receiving a request for removal from the applicant.

If your design is not preapproved within the required timeline, you may revise and resubmit it for preapproval during the next application period in 2025.