Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program

Accepting submissions NOW through November 18, 2024 at noon!

Assembly Bill No. 1332 requires each local agency, by January 1, 2025 to develop a program for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans. Read more about the Assembly Bill here.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. ADUs include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as a single-unit or multi-family dwelling.

The City of Goleta is accepting submissions from design professionals for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans to be considered for the ADU preapproval program.

At this time, the City is accepting plans for detached ADUs only.

Submission Criteria

Detached, new construction, single-unit ADUs only, architectural plan pages combined as one PDF
Floor Area as defined in §17.03.070 of the Goleta Municipal Code (GMC). The ADUs must be between 200 and 800 square feet
Maximum one-story height of 16’ unless located within one-half mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high quality transit corridor where the height can be 18’ or 20’ refer to §17.41.030(E)(2) of the GMC
Typically most of the data that is provided for review is site specific, please leave blank place holders on the plan set for the items on our Site Plan Guidelines
Include name, title, and contact Information for the Design Professional clearly on the plans

Please send plans to: PreapprovedADU@cityofgoleta.org

Submittal deadline is November 18^th at noon

Pay Fees: City staff will invoice you in the amount of $1,734 for planning review and Design Review Board (DRB) for acceptance into the Preapproved ADU program.

Attend: Design Review Board (DRB) meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 that commences at 3:00 PM

Building Plan Review: Upon approval, construction drawings shall undergo Building Plan review. Building Plan review fees will be based on valuation of the project including the market rate for labor and materials.

After Building Plan review is complete and the plans are approved, they will be listed on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of using the preapproved plans?

For community members interested in using one of the preapproved ADU plans, once available, this program will allow proposed ADUs to move through the review process quickly and efficiently as the architectural design, floor plans and other components will have already been reviewed and approved by the City. Site-specific information will be required for each location and homeowners will have to contact the design professional for costs associated with the use of the preapproved plans and the preparation of the required site plan and other documents (e.g., soils reports, etc.) and building permitting.

Will the City own the preapproved plans?

How much will the plans cost?

What if I want to do a conversion ADU?

Why are the requirements for designers so minimal?

For additional information on the project, please contact Kathy Allen, Supervising Senior Planner at kallen@cityofgoleta.org or Christina McGuire, Associate Planner at cmcguire@cityofgoleta.org.

Preapproved ADU Plans

Not available currently but Coming Soon!

Goleta, CA

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Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program