Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Plan Program

The City is now preapproving plans for detached accessory dwelling units that are submitted by designers, architects, builders, and other qualified professionals. For information on how to apply, please read the “For Designers” section below.

Preapproved plans are intended to save homeowners the expense of having custom plans created, simplify the permit process, and are intended for new construction only.

All preapproved plans still require additional site-specific plans, studies, and engineering, as applicable. Homeowners are encouraged to contact the Planning Division by Email and the Building and Safety Division by Email to learn more about the requirements for constructing an ADU prior to beginning their project.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU), defined in Government Code Section 66310 refers to 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.
The City of Gardena has established its own regulations for ADUs in accordance with state law. The City’s standards for ADUs can be found under Chapter 18.13, of the Gardena Municipal Code.

For more information and resources on ADUs, visit the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-and-research/accessory-dwelling-units

For Designers

The City is currently accepting applications from qualifying design professionals to have their plans for detached ADUs preapproved for use throughout City. Having your ADU plans preapproved by the City is a great way to ensure that your future clients can move through the permitting process quickly and smoothly. All preapproved ADU plans will be featured on this webpage to help connect you with Gardena homeowners who are interested in adding an ADU to their property. You will still retain your copyright to the preapproved design so that any homeowner who wishes to use the design must contract with you to do so.
Once your ADU plan is preapproved by the City, the preapproval will remain valid until the City adopts new building codes that apply to your ADU plan. The City will notify you when such changes take place and let you know how updated plans can be submitted. Please review the Designer Application section on information on how to submit.

For Homeowners

To use ADU plans that have been preapproved by the City, your property must either already have, or be planned to have, a single-family dwelling on a legally zoned residential lot. You can verify your property’s zoning by checking the city’s interactive Zoning Map.

To proceed with a preapproved ADU plan, you must work with the designer of the plan set. Contact the designer to purchase the plan, then submit it to the Building and Safety Department for a plan check review. All plan check submissions must be made electronically. Electronic Plan Review guidelines can be found here: https://cityofgardena.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ELECTRONIC-PLAN-REVIEW-PROCEDURES-GUIDELINES.pdf

Once submitted, City staff will review the submittal packet for completeness and forward it to the applicable departments/divisions for review. Since the preapproved plans have already been reviewed, this process will be expedited. After approval, the plans will be stamped, building permits can be issued, and the applicable permit fees will be provided.

Modifications to any preapproved ADU plans will not be accepted for the expedited process. If you have changes to the plan, the project will go through the regular ADU plan review process.

Preapproved ADU Plans – Designer Application

  1. Prepare Master File Plans
    Create ADU plans that are not site-specific and include architectural plans and structural drawings and calculations.
    The master plan submittal package should include the following:

    • Architectural information, plans, elevations, sections, and details
    • Structural information, plans, elevations, sections, and details
    • Structural calculations
    • Title 24 energy calculations
    • CalGreen Checklist
    • Truss plans and calculations, as applicable
    • Indication of Fire sprinklers: Provide a statement as to whether the standard construction plan layout proposes to be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.
    • For ADUs, you may use code minimum soil valuation for foundation design, or pre-scripted footing sizes if conventional construction is used or match existing foundation.
    • A standard site plan as reference is optional.
    • An incomplete package will not be accepted.
    • Download and complete both sides of the Building Permit application. This form should be completed electronically, then saved and submitted as a PDF.
  2. Submit Plans & Pay the Initial Plan Review Fees
    • Submit application form and plans via email to the following: CDDBuildingservice@cityofgardena.org
    • The maximum file size is 30 MB; files can be broken up into multiple emails or place documents in a cloud server (Dropbox, or other approved cloud server provider) and provide access to City staff.
    • In the subject line, please add the property address and “Preapproved ADU Plans”.
    • You will then receive an email for access to the Microsoft Teams channel for your project. This channel will serve as the main point of communication throughout the process, and it will include the relevant fees for review. Payments can be made using a credit or debit card through the form provided by the Permit Technician. Currently, the City only accepts credit card and debit card payments.

For questions, please contact the Building and Safety Division by Email or by calling 310-217-9672.