Pre-approved & permit-ready ADU plans
Pre-approved ADU plans for the Sacramento region
Pre-approved ADU plans are standardized designs a jurisdiction has already reviewed for code compliance, so they permit faster than custom drawings. California's AB 1332 law requires cities to offer them, with a 30-day approval clock. Upside builds 6 permit-ready plans, 400–1,200 sq ft, from $95,000.
The plan lineup
6 permit-ready ADU plans
Each plan is engineered to current California code with fixed starting pricing, then modified to fit your lot during design. Pick the closest size and budget, then we handle the permit submittal — including the pre-approved track where your city offers one.
Renderings show the standard finish package and are representative, not a specific built unit. Starting prices are 2026 Sacramento-baseline turnkey figures — confirm your exact number on the cost calculator.
How pre-approval works
California's pre-approved ADU plan programs (AB 1332)
AB 1332 (2023) requires every California jurisdiction to maintain a program of pre-approved ADU plans and to approve or deny a complete detached-ADU application that uses one within 30 days — half the 60-day baseline. The plan's building design is already vetted; your permit then covers the site-specific work.
What pre-approval covers
- Building design already cleared for code compliance
- 30-day approval clock under AB 1332 (vs. 60-day baseline)
- City of Sacramento Preapproved ADU program
- Sacramento County Shelf-Ready ADU Program (since 2025)
What still needs a site-specific permit
- Site plan, setbacks, and placement on your lot
- Foundation and any required soils/grading work
- Utility connections (sewer, water, electrical)
- Title-24 energy compliance and applicable fees
Want the full statutory detail — bill text, the 30-day clock mechanics, and how the city and county programs differ? Read the in-depth guide: Pre-approved ADU plans in California (AB 1332). For the broader permit timeline, see Sacramento ADU rules & permits.
Pre-approved ADU plan FAQs
Pre-approved ADU plans are standardized accessory-dwelling-unit designs that a city or county has already reviewed for building-code compliance. Because the design has cleared plan check ahead of time, a complete application using one can be approved on a faster track than a from-scratch custom design.
Yes. The City of Sacramento runs a Preapproved ADU program under AB 1332, and Sacramento County has a Shelf-Ready ADU Program (live since 2025) with pre-reviewed plan sets. Upside's permit-ready models are engineered to current code and can ride these tracks where eligible.
AB 1332 sets a 30-day approve-or-deny clock for a complete detached-ADU application that uses a pre-approved plan, compared with the standard 60-day baseline for a complete ADU application. You still need a site-specific permit covering the site plan, foundation, utilities, and Title-24.
Within limits. Finishes, entry placement, and window locations are usually flexible. But if the structural design changes enough that it no longer matches the pre-approved plan, the jurisdiction may need to re-review it, which can move you off the fast track. Confirm allowed changes first.
Yes. A pre-approved plan removes the design-review step, not the permit. Your project still needs a site-specific building permit covering the site plan, foundation or soils work where required, utility connections, Title-24 energy compliance, and any permit or impact fees.
Upside's permit-ready plans start at $95,000 turnkey and range up to a 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom unit, the largest detached ADU California allows. Final price depends on size, finishes, and your site — run the cost calculator for a number specific to your lot.
Plan, price & permit your ADU
Start from a pre-approved plan
Tell us your lot and goals — we'll match you to a permit-ready plan, modify it to fit, and send a transparent, all-in quote.