ADU Builder in Pleasanton, CA
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Pleasanton ADU Rules (PMC Chapter 18.106)
- Detached: 850 sq ft for a studio or one bedroom, 1,000 sq ft for two or more bedrooms. An 800 sq ft state-exempt ADU is always allowed.
- Attached: the same limits, or 50% of the home’s floor area.
- Junior ADU: 150 to 500 sq ft, with an efficiency kitchen and no gas or 220-volt circuits.
- Height: 16 feet generally; 18 feet within half a mile of transit plus 2 feet to match the roof pitch; a second-story attached ADU can reach 25 feet.
- Setbacks: 4 feet from side and rear lines. A detached ADU must be 6 feet from the main house, and a detached ADU over 800 sq ft must be 10 feet from a street side.
- Screening: an ADU less than 10 feet from a side or rear line needs a 6-foot solid fence plus screening plants.
- Design: match the main house’s materials, roof form and windows; shielded, downward lighting.
- Parking: one space, which may be tandem, with exemptions near transit, in a historic district and for conversions. JADUs need none.
ADU Construction
Pre-Approved Plans with 7-Day Review
Pleasanton’s pre-approved detached ADU plans include a 999 sq ft design by Deborah Lane, Architect, and an 800 sq ft design by ADORE Homes. Pre-approved plans are reviewed in 7 business days instead of 15, and the owner hires the designer who holds the plan. We build from pre-approved plans or custom designs.
Permit Path
200 Old Bernal Avenue (next to the City Council Chambers), Pleasanton, CA 94566
Building & Safety (925) 931-5300 · Planning (925) 931-5600, po*@****************ca.gov
Walk-in hours vary by day, so call ahead. Building permits are submitted electronically through Accela Citizen Access.
- Zone 7 Impervious Surface Worksheet for new impervious area.
- Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department review; an ADU needs sprinklers only if the main house requires them.
- Pleasanton Unified School District fees where they apply.
Inspections: schedule in Accela Citizen Access, by texting “Schedule” to (844) 670-9753, or by calling (925) 931-5322, ext. 1. Inspectors take calls at (925) 931-5300 from 7:30 to 8 a.m. on inspection day.
Pleasanton ADU FAQ
How big can an ADU be in Pleasanton?
850 sq ft for a studio or one bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for two or more, with an 800 sq ft ADU always allowed. A junior ADU is 150 to 500 sq ft.
Does Pleasanton have pre-approved ADU plans?
Yes, including 999 and 800 sq ft detached plans, reviewed in 7 business days.
How far must a detached ADU be from my house?
At least 6 feet in Pleasanton.
Is screening required?
An ADU less than 10 feet from a side or rear line needs a 6-foot solid fence and screening plants.