Santa Barbara County will begin offering pre-approved designs for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) starting this August. ADUs are small, self-contained residential units that can either be attached to or built separately from a primary home. The move is intended to simplify the permitting process, reduce design costs, and encourage more homeowners to build secondary units on their properties.
Highlights
- Santa Barbara County will provide pre-approved design and construction plans for ADUs.
- Pre-approved designs could save homeowners up to $25,000 in design and permitting fees.
- The county aims to encourage housing development by eliminating the need for reviews on standard designs.
Several Central Coast Counties Have Already Implemented Pre-Approved Plans for ADU Construction
The Board of Supervisors recently approved a $150,000 contract with RRM Design Group to develop the plans to allow homeowners to build ADUs faster and more affordably.
In a quote to Noozhawk, Lisa Plowman, director of Planning and Development, said that the pre-approved documents will allow designs to be fast-tracked, even noting that savings could reach up to $25,000 compared to custom designs.
ADUs have become increasingly popular as a way to expand housing in residential neighborhoods across California. In mid-2023, the city of Carpinteria was the first in the region to offer pre-approved ADU plans, followed by Buellton and Santa Barbara.
The City of Santa Barbara issued a press release in May announcing options for 740 sq. ft. detached, state-approved, factory-built, foundation-only ADU with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom in three architectural styles by BevyHouse.
The City of Santa Barbara stated the benefits to the homeowner include plans that already meet Building Code and Design Review standards, faster application review times, and a 25% discount on plan check fees.
Late last year, the City of Goleta issued an announcement to accept submissions from design professionals for ADU plans to be considered for preapproval. Designs have yet to be announced.
By offering pre-approved ADU plans, Santa Barbara County joins local agencies that are required to develop a preapproval of ADU plans in accordance with California State Law.
[Ed Note: This article has been updated to include proper credit to additional sources.]
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The permit cost for a 1,200 sq foot ADU is $21, 642.
Seems like a big cost for an over the counter permit. Can that be greatly reduced too?
Do we want to encourage ADU or make money for the city?
Well we are trying to get an ADU around 1,000 sqft and we are hitting almost $75,000.00 before the permit…. We are more then likely not going to be able to do it now, we were expecting sub 50k for fees and permit. For being streamlined by state and county, for wanting and needing housing in the state, county and city, and for the city working with the people. It’s an absolute nightmare with price gouging and lack of preparedness to start on their end. It really isn’t that complicated to put together a COMPLETE packet of charges, permits needed, extra fees. What they have accessable and what actually happens is a stark difference and very upsetting.
It is also a disheartening situation when paperwork is filed and submitted to the incorrect department and no accountability/ ramifications/ justice can be said on the cities end while it blows more money out the door on my end….
Oh boy. The County is really going for it now. Build baby build!! What a 180!
what happened to the water crisis?
I think it’s just simply short-sighted politics. They want to appeal to voters who can barely afford to live here and Newsom’s scummy housing mandate that will kill our quality of life, environment, and water supply here in California.
Where is the water coming from?