Should I use a city plan or a custom design?
Start with the city plans. As of October 2026, Fresno's five pre-approved plans cover a 340 sq ft studio up to a 1,015 sq ft three-bedroom unit, and the city's 2023 Quick Start Guide lists both the plans and their plan check as free. If none of them fits your yard, your garage or your budget, we draw a custom set.
- City plan: faster review and lower design cost; limited to the plan's footprint and options.
- Custom design: fits odd lots, garage conversions, attached units and specific layouts; more design and review time.
What goes into a permit set?
- A site plan showing the lot, the house, the ADU, setbacks and utility routes.
- Floor plans, elevations and sections for custom designs.
- Structural details and truss calculations where needed.
- Title 24 energy calculations, and solar plans for new detached units.
- Fire sprinkler drawings, where the city requires them.
How does Fresno's permit process work?
As of October 2026, the City of Fresno says pre-approved and custom ADU plans no longer need a separate Zone Clearance and go straight to a building permit application. Applications are filed through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal. Its Quick Start Guide estimates about 14 days to review a completed application. See our approval timeline guide.
Which agency reviews my ADU?
The one that governs your parcel, which is not always the one on your mailing address. Fresno's guide says its free plans are for property in Fresno city limits. Some Fresno addresses sit in unincorporated county areas, which Fresno County reviews. Clovis, Sanger, Selma and Madera each run their own review. We confirm this during the lot check.
Do historic areas change the design?
Sometimes. Fresno's Quick Start Guide says an ADU visible from the street in an architecturally or historically significant area must be designed similar to the main home.
How long does design take?
It depends on the route. A city plan mostly needs a site plan and any options you pick. A custom garage conversion needs measured drawings of the existing structure, and an attached unit needs structural work at the tie-in. We give you a design timeline with the quote.
Related
As of October 2026. Sources: City of Fresno ADU Program page; City of Fresno ADU Quick Start Guide (October 2023); HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026).
Find out which plan route fits
Send the address. We tell you whether a city plan fits your lot or whether a custom design makes more sense.