What's the total ADU permit fee in San Francisco?

Total San Francisco ADU permit fees in 2026 run roughly $10,500–$25,000 depending on size, type, and any utility hookups required.

How long does San Francisco ADU permit review take?

Standard San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco's current ADU ordinance for available waivers.

ADUCosts

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco ADU Permit Fee Calculator (2026)

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

Instant fee breakdown for San Francisco, California. Total range: $10,500–$25,000.

San Francisco, California ADU Permit Fees

Total estimated range: $10,500–$25,000

Plan Check

$2,500–$5,000

Building Permit

$3,000–$8,000

Impact Fees

Waived (< 750 sf)

School Fees

$4–$5/sf

Utility Hookups

$5,000–$12,000

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

San Francisco permit process at a glance

Permitting office: San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)

Typical plan review: 20-36 weeks

Fee waivers: ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees per AB 681; AB 2221 ministerial path available for qualifying conversions.

San Francisco's ADU program is built around the city's housing strategy of legalizing in-law units and adding to existing buildings rather than backyard cottages — most builds are interior conversions of garages, basements, or below-grade space. DBI plan review is the slowest in the Bay Area at 20-36 weeks for non-streamlined ADUs, though the AB 2221 streamlined ministerial path can cut that to 60 days when applicable. Materials and labor in SF run the highest in California outside of Marin.

Sample real-world fee example

Scenario: 650 sq ft garage-to-ADU conversion in the Inner Sunset

Plan check	$3,200
Building permit	$4,500
Mandatory soft-story screening (if applicable)	$1,200
Water (SFPUC) connection	$5,800
Sewer capacity charge	$3,400
TOTAL	$18,100

Common San Francisco ADU permit mistakes

Missing the AB 2221 ministerial-streamline eligibility check — qualifying ADU conversions can permit in 60 days.
Overlooking the Mandatory Soft-Story screening for older buildings in target zones.
Underestimating SFPUC water-capacity charges (separate from city building permit and frequently $4K-$6K).
Not budgeting for DBI's slow review queue — even simple ADUs frequently exceed 20 weeks.

How San Francisco compares nearby

City	Total fee range	Link
San Francisco	$10,500–$25,000	(this page)
San Jose	$6,200–$17,500	View →
Sacramento	$4,000–$10,500	View →

Full San Francisco cost guide ROI calculator Compare all 18 cities

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