Permit-Ready ADUs

In compliance with California Government Code Section 65852.27, the City of San Marcos Permit Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit Program encourages the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units by offering property owners a selection of pre-approved, detached one-story ADU building plans. Use of these plans is intended to save an applicant time and money by avoiding initial design and review costs. The  plans provided by the City of San Marcos are mostly complete. However, since every site is unique the applicant will be required to fill in project-specific information including a detailed site plan. 

Additional/deferred building plan submittals such as roof truss systems and solar panels will be required in combination with a city provided plan. The information below has been generated by the City of San Marcos to assist you in the preparation of a Building Permit submittal for plans; follow the steps outlined below and refer to the checklist. 

Important Note: No alterations to the city-provided plan sets will be considered. If submitting a customized structure, please submit for a standard ADU building permit. The city may consider adding additional plan set templates to the program; if you would like to submit prepared plans to be considered for use within the city program, please contact the Planning Division for processing.

Permit submittals

Applicants are required to apply for a building permit and submit the city-provided plan set that has been updated by applicant with site-specific information detailed on the checklist and throughout the plan set template. The city will approve or deny an application within 30 days from the date the city receives a complete application. If the application is processed concurrently with a permit application for a new primary dwelling unit on the lot, the city may delay acting on the application until the city acts on the permit application for the primary dwelling unit. 

Step 1: Obtain permit materials 

Step 2: Review and complete plan package

Step 3: Consult with city staff 

Step 4: Application submittal 

Step 5: Application review by city staff

Step 6: Permit release/construction/inspection/occupancy 

Fact sheet(PDF, 808KB)

See the plans