On a roughly one-acre property in rural northern Sacramento County, Rick Field is one of the first County residents to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) using our shelf-ready plans.
Sacramento County’s new shelf-ready ADU plans have been met with enthusiasm from residents in the unincorporated areas, with the first units already in the construction phase. The program, which offers free, pre-approved detached ADU plans, has made the process of adding secondary housing units more affordable and efficient for homeowners.
The plans, which adhere to the 2022 Residential Building Code and have received prior approval from the County’s Building Permits and Inspection Division, speed up the permitting time frame and remove the added expense of having a full set of drawings prepared for a permit. By providing ready-to-use designs, Sacramento County is significantly reducing permitting times and saving homeowners thousands in architectural and engineering costs.
“We’ve recently set a goal to make Sacramento County the best place to build in the region, and these shelf-ready ADU plans are one way of the ways we are doing just that,” said Troy Givans, Community Development Director. “We are thrilled that these plans have been so well-received by our residents. So far, 15 residents have submitted site plans for their ADUs.”
The available plans include:
- Two 460-square-foot studio/one-bedroom units
- An 870-square-foot two-bedroom unit
- A 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom unit
- A 1,184-square-foot three-bedroom unit
To use these plans, applicants must submit a site plan to indicate where on their property the ADU will be placed. While modifications to the pre-approved designs are not permitted, their variety and thoughtful layouts cater to a wide range of needs.
These plans may not work on all parcels within the unincorporated county due to setback and firewall requirements, but they should work with most.
Residents Embrace the Opportunity
Since the launch of the shelf-ready ADU program, residents have responded positively, taking advantage of the cost savings and streamlined approval process. Many homeowners see these ADUs as a practical solution to housing needs, whether for extended family members, rental income or downsizing while remaining on their property.
One of those residents is Rick Field, the second customer to use Sacramento County’s shelf-ready ADU plans.
“We decided to build an ADU about a year ago,” Field said. “We saw that some other counties had ADU plans available and were on the lookout for plans from Sacramento County.”
Field applied for his ADU in October 2024 and is currently in the construction phase. Although he had hoped for completion in March, some delays have pushed the timeline to April. Despite this, he remains enthusiastic about the program and its benefits.
“The hardest part was getting the site plan drafted – once that was done, I had the permit within about a week or two,” Field said. “I’m all for these plans. Nothing’s perfect in its first draft, but these plans are good.”
Field also praised the responsiveness of the permit department and the continuity of inspections, noting that having the same inspector throughout the process was a huge benefit. “The Building Permit division has been very responsive. I’ve had an inspector come out and issue a correction ticket and the same guy came out to re-inspect. The continuity was great! Overall, I’ve been very happy with the process and department.”
Living on just under an acre of land, Field saw the ADU as a great way to utilize previously unused space. He plans to rent out the unit once it’s completed, adding valuable housing to the community.
With interest growing and the first projects moving toward completion, Sacramento County’s initiative is proving to be an effective strategy for expanding housing options in the region.
