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Contact

ADU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Planning Counter
(805) 564-5578
PlanningCounter@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Building & Safety Counter
(805) 564-5485 x4371
CDBuildingCode@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

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Preapproved ADU Program

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Image Source: City of Concord Preapproved ADU Program and RRM Design Group

 

Preapproved ADUs coming soon!  The City's first batch of preapproved ADUs is going through the final phases of plan check and will be posted to this webpage as soon as possible. Please check this page for updates or email ADU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov for program information. 

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WHAT ARE PREAPPROVED PLANS?
Preapproved plans are ADU designs submitted by designers, architects, builders, and other qualified professionals and vetted in advance by Planning and Building & Safety. Once preapproved, they can be selected for use by homeowners for their own ADU projects with an expedited review timeline and lower permitting costs. 

 

2025 Timeline

1
November 15, 2024 - Spring 2025 - Building Code Review Period

Up to three rounds of plan review.

2
Spring/Summer 2025 - Preapproval Complete

Preapproved plans available on website.

FOR DESIGNERS

The time frame for designers to submit new entries for Preapproved ADU designs has closed. Please contact staff at ADU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov if you are interested in submitting a new design for pre-approval. Existing entries are being reviewed in the timeline listed above.

FOR HOMEOWNERS

Available in Spring/Summer 2025 – the City will launch the Preapproved ADU Program for homeowners to use. Homeowners can then reach out to the designer of the plan they select and work with them throughout the process. Browse the City’s list below – New plans coming soon!

How to Apply for a Building Permit
Preapproval does not mean that the designs already have their building permits, but rather that elements of the permitting process for your ADU will already be addressed upon application submittal. Pre-approved plans are around 70-80% complete but you will still be required to provide site-specific information. To use a preapproved ADU plan, you must:

  1. Contract with the designer responsible for the plan set.
  2. Submit additional site-specific plans, studies, and engineering, as applicable.
  3. Obtain a building permit from the Building & Safety Division for the construction of a preapproved ADU. The full list of submittal requirements for a building permit are included below.

ADU Supplemental Application
Basic Site Plan Submittal Guide
Building Permit (BLD) Application
Project Plan Submittal Guide

PREAPPROVED ADU PLANS
When preapproved plans become available, they will be posted below. To use a preapproved ADU plan, homeowners must contract with the designer responsible for the plan set. Contact information for designers with preapproved plans and sample photos of their ADU units will be posted below.

New plans coming soon!

Disclaimer. Please note that the City of Santa Barbara has reviewed the above accessory dwelling unit plans and found them in conformance with all applicable zoning and building code requirements. Additionally, these plans do not require any discretionary design review. The preapproval of these plans does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any specific designer, contractor, or other design professional by the City.