ADU fees in unincorporated Sacramento County

Short answer

State law bars impact fees on an ADU of 750 sq ft or less. The County Parks schedule exempts ADUs up to 850 sq ft, or up to 1,000 sq ft with multiple bedrooms; building permit and school district fees still need a separate assessment.

Last verified 2026-10-18. Rules change; the Sacramento County planning desk has the final word.

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What the unincorporated Sacramento County rules allow on your lot: setbacks, the biggest unit that fits, fees.

Free. No credit card required. The City of Sacramento, the City of San Jose, unincorporated Sacramento County, the City of Los Angeles, the City of Citrus Heights, the City of Elk Grove, the City of Folsom, the City of Rancho Cordova, the City of San Diego and the City of El Monte for now; other areas get a partial check.

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The rules

No impact fees up toState law
750 sq ftCal. Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(1)
School feesState law
None under 500 sq ftCal. Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(3) and Ed. Code 17620(a)(1)(C)
State impact-fee threshold for an ADUState law
No impact fee at 750 sq ft of interior livable space or less; a larger ADU is charged proportionately to the main homeGov. Code 66311.5(c)(1)
State impact fee for a junior ADUState law
No impact fee at 500 sq ft of interior livable space or lessGov. Code 66311.5(c)(1)
County Parks impact-fee exemptionLocal rule
ADUs up to 850 sq ft, or up to 1,000 sq ft with multiple bedroomsSacramento County Parks Development Fee Schedule (March 2026)
Building permit feesLocal rule
Expected for every ADU project; amount depends on the projectSacramento County ADU and JADU guide (V8), p. 8
San Juan Unified school feeLocal rule
Estimated school charge at the published $5.38 per sq ft rate; ADUs under 750 sq ft excludedSan Juan Unified School District Developer Fees (2026)
Twin Rivers Unified school feeLocal rule
Estimated school charge at the published $5.38 per sq ft rate on ADUs of 500 sq ft or moreTwin Rivers Unified School District Development Impact Fees (2026)

What to know in unincorporated Sacramento County

What we couldn't confirm

  • School fee rates for other districts serving unincorporated areas have not been confirmed here.
  • The total building, utility, and district charges for this parcel have not been confirmed.

Ask the Sacramento County planning desk before you rely on these.

Check your lot free

Our free check reads your lot against the unincorporated Sacramento County rules above from public records: a screening, not a permit or professional advice.

Free. No credit card required. The City of Sacramento, the City of San Jose, unincorporated Sacramento County, the City of Los Angeles, the City of Citrus Heights, the City of Elk Grove, the City of Folsom, the City of Rancho Cordova, the City of San Diego and the City of El Monte for now; other areas get a partial check.

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Floor plans to start from

Measured ADU layouts you can edit and download as CAD files, then check against the unincorporated Sacramento County rules above.

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unincorporated Sacramento County ADU fee questions

Are all County impact fees waived below 850 sq ft?

No. Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(1) bars impact fees on an ADU of 750 sq ft or less. The Sacramento County Parks schedule has a separate exemption through 850 sq ft, or through 1,000 sq ft for a multi-bedroom ADU; it does not set every other County fee.

Which school fee rate applies in Sacramento County?

It depends on the school district. San Juan Unified's 2026 developer-fee page supports an estimated charge at its published $5.38 per sq ft rate and excludes ADUs under 750 sq ft; Twin Rivers Unified's 2026 page supports an estimated charge at its published $5.38 per sq ft rate for ADUs of 500 sq ft or more. Ask the district for a final amount.

Do I still pay a building permit fee?

The County ADU and JADU guide (V8, p. 8) says to expect building permit fees for any project. Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(1) addresses impact fees, and the amount of a building permit fee needs a project-specific quote.

Is this a permit, or a plan I can build from?

Neither. It is a screening from public records, not professional advice, and not a survey, soils report, appraisal, loan offer or permit; every number is an estimate. A licensed designer confirms the final plan, and your city or county gives final approval.

More about ADUs in unincorporated Sacramento County

Fees in other areas

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