Sunnyvale ADU Guide (2026): Rules, Fees, and Building a Backyard ADU
Sunnyvale rewrote its ADU rules in 2025 and updated them in July 2026: up to 1,000 sq ft, no parking, and a building-permit-only path up to 800 sq ft. Here's what you can build and what the city charges.
Los Angeles ADU Guide (2026): City Rules, Fees, and Permits
Los Angeles lets you build an ADU under state rules or its own ordinance, with no impact fees up to 750 sq ft. Here's what you can build, what it costs in fees, and the rent-control rule owners of older homes miss.
Oakland ADU Requirements (2026): Size, Fees, Permits & Fire Zones
Oakland allows a detached ADU of up to 850 or 1,000 sq ft, waives its city impact fees, and must decide in 60 days. Hillside lots in the S-9 fire zone face extra limits.
San Jose ADU Guide (2026): City Rules, Fees, and Permits
San José lets you build an ADU under City or State standards, with no parking required and no impact fees up to 750 sq ft. Here's what you can build, what the city charges, and how the permit works.
San Mateo ADU Guide (2026): Rules, Fees, and Building a Backyard ADU
San Mateo updated its ADU rules in March 2026: up to three extra units on a single-family lot, no parking, and a building-permit-only process. Here's what you can build and what the city charges.
Palo Alto ADU Rules (2026): Sizes, Fees, Permits, and Local Quirks
Palo Alto lets a single-family lot add an attached ADU, a detached ADU, and a junior ADU. Here are the 2026 sizes, setbacks, fees, and permit timeline, from the city's own code and data.
San Francisco ADU Guide (2026): Rules, Permits, Fees and Costs
Most San Francisco homeowners can add a backyard ADU up to 850-1,000 sq ft and 18 feet tall, with no parking and a 60-day review. Here's which program to use, what it costs, and how the permit works.