What's the total ADU permit fee in Coronado?

Total Coronado ADU permit fees in 2026 run roughly $6,200–$16,000 depending on size, type, and any utility hookups required.

How long does Coronado ADU permit review take?

Standard Coronado ADU plan review takes 6–16 weeks. Pre-approved plans and complete submittals can shorten that significantly.

What fees are NOT included in the base Coronado permit cost?

Utility connection fees (water, sewer, electric), school impact fees, drainage and fire-line upgrades, and any private-engineering studies typically add 30–60% to the base permit number.

Can I get my Coronado ADU permit fees reduced or waived?

Some jurisdictions offer fee reductions for deed-restricted affordable ADUs, JADUs under 500 sq ft, or projects using pre-approved plans. Check Coronado's current ADU ordinance for available waivers.

ADUCosts

Coronado, CA

Coronado ADU Permit Fee Calculator (2026)

Name: aduglossary.com — Coronado CA ADU Resources
Price range: $

Instant fee breakdown for Coronado, California. Total range: $6,200–$16,000.

Coronado, California ADU Permit Fees

Total estimated range: $6,200–$16,000

Plan Check

$1,200–$3,000

Building Permit

$2,000–$5,000

Impact Fees

Waived (< 750 sf)

School Fees

$3–$4/sf

Utility Hookups

$3,000–$8,000

Source: City permitting schedules and FeeBuilder surveys, updated April 2026.

Coronado permit process at a glance

Permitting office: Coronado Community Development Department

Typical plan review: 14-22 weeks

Fee waivers: ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees per AB 681; design review still required.

Coronado is one of the most restrictive ADU jurisdictions in San Diego County — the entire city sits in the Coastal Zone (Coastal Development Permit required) and has its own design overlay restricting roof materials, exterior trim, and window patterns to match the city's pre-1940 architectural character. AB 681 impact-fee waivers still apply, but design review pushes timelines longer than San Diego proper.

Sample real-world fee example

Scenario: 600 sq ft detached ADU on 6,000 sq ft Coronado lot

Plan check	$1,800
Building permit	$2,800
Coastal Development Permit	$1,200
Design review fee	$650
Sewer connection	$3,200
Water meter (Cal-Am)	$2,400
TOTAL	$12,050

Common Coronado ADU permit mistakes

Skipping the Title 24 energy compliance docs at submittal — adds 4-6 weeks of correction cycles.
Confusing the AB 681 impact-fee waiver — it only applies to ADUs strictly under 750 sq ft of conditioned floor area.
Missing the separate water-meter and sewer-capacity applications, which run on a parallel track from the building permit.
Not budgeting for the Coronado design-review overlay — exterior materials and roof pitch must match the city's pre-1940 character.
Missing the CDP application — required citywide because Coronado sits entirely in the Coastal Zone.

How Coronado compares nearby

City	Total fee range	Link
Coronado	$6,200–$16,000	(this page)
San Diego	$5,000–$13,500	View →
Chula Vista	$4,000–$11,000	View →
El Cajon	$3,800–$10,500	View →

Full Coronado cost guide ROI calculator Compare all 18 cities

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