ADU Standard Plan Submittal Process

Step One: Contact the Planning Department and determine if any of the City's ADU Standard plans suit your needs.

Step Two:   Verify that an ADU Standard Plan is compatible with your site.  Contact the Planning department by emailing PlanningDepartment@beaumontca.gov.  As a general guide, the property must meet all of the following criteria:

• The lot is zoned to allow for residential use and contains an existing or proposed single-family home or multi-family structure.
• The property is not located on a slope, hillside or a site with expansive soil.  A geotechnical report will be required.
• In general, the location of the ADU must meet the following:
  1. 6’ to other structures measured from eave-to-eave.
  2. 4’ side-yard and 4’ rear-yard setbacks
  3. Comply with the front-yard setback, lot coverage, floor area ratio and encroachment plane of the underlying zone.
  4. There are also limits to how the ADU can be configured on your lot. In general, any walls with openings (such as windows or doors) cannot be closer than 5’ to the side or rear property lines

Additionally, the plans available may not suit your needs or be exactly what you are looking for. If you wish to modify any of the plans, you would need to hire a design professional to create a new set of plans.  Once modified, the plans will no longer be pre-approved and will require a standard full plan review and standard plan review fees.  In addition, you are not permitted to use portions of the standard plan and include them in your new plan set.  

Step Three: Prepare Additional Plan

Site Plan:  Prepare a site plan that is drawn to scale, fully dimensioned and shows the following minimum information listed below. Additional information may be required on a case-by-case basis:

• Sizes and locations of all structures on site
• Dimensions to property lines for all structures on site
  1. The ADU shall maintain a minimum 4-ft setbacks to side and rear property lines
  2. Any exterior walls with openings, such as doors or windows, must maintain a minimum 5-ft setback to side and rear property lines
• Dimensions to other structures on site measured eave-to-eave
• All paved areas including access into the site (driveway)
• Locations of all trees on site
• Addresses for all existing units on the property
• A vicinity map demonstrating whether the property is located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit stop
• Proposed and existing location & size of electrical service panel & sub-panels.
• Location of proposed heating/cooling equipment per energy documentation serving the dwelling.
• Associated mechanical equipment (ac condenser / heat pump) shall maintain a minimum 5-ft setback from property line and shall be screened from the public-right-of-way.
• Sewer line route & connections.
• Identify whether the primary residence has a fire sprinkler system.

Prepare Grading Plan:   Prepare a site plan that is drawn to scale, fully dimensioned and show the following minimum information listed below.  Additional information may be required on a case-by-case basis:

• Site drainage away from the new foundation and direct site.
• Drainage to a storm sewer conveyance system, public street, or Other approved point of collection.
• Show relative or actual elevation points, slope, and/or direction of flow

Obtain Geotechnical Report:      Geotechnical reports are prepared by licensed Geotechnical Engineers.  They will determine if the soil where you propose to build the structure is adequate to support the new ADU.  They will also be able to provide you with a pad certification once the permit is issued, to ensure the ADU is placed in the correct location and the pad is adequately compacted.

Solar PV Plans:  Have a solar design professional prepare Solar Photovoltaic Energy System plans pursuant to California Energy Code Section 150.1c.14.  These must be in accordance with the energy code specifications included on the standard ADU plans.  If this work is being performed by a contractor, not contracted by the prime contractor for the ADU build, a separate permit will need to be issued.

Energy Compliance Documents:  Also referred to as Title 24, these will need to be prepared by an energy compliance designer based on the standard plans and the location of the ADU on the property.

Prepare Additional Plans:  The following plan types may also be required based on your specific situation.

1. Fire Sprinklers:   Is the primary structure fire sprinklered?  If yes, then you will be required to contract with a licensed contractor to prepare and install the fire sprinkler.  This work is only allowed to be performed by a C-16 contractor.

Step Four:  Completion of the City’s Hold Harmless Agreement is required for use of any of the pre-approved ADU plans.

Step Five:  Submit Your ADU Application Online or Email the plans to permits@beaumontca.gov  Attach the selected ADU Standard Plan, the site plan, the completed Hold Harmless Agreement, and supplemental plans (as may be required).

Step Six:  Complete an Address Application for your ADU.  All ADUs must have their own separate address. To obtain an address for your ADU, you must complete an Address Application.   As part of your application, you must upload a site plan which complies with the following:

Step Seven:  Pay Plan Review and Address Application Fees.   Your plan submittal and Address Application will be reviewed for completeness within 1-2 business days of submittal. You will receive separate invoices for the plan review fees and address application. These fees must be paid in order for your addressing application and plans to be processed for review.

Step Eight:  Plan Review.  Your plans will then be routed for plan check review which takes approximately 15 calendar days to complete. You will be notified via email if your plans have been approved or if corrections have been issued.

If corrections are issued, you must resubmit plans addressing the corrections, and provide a response sheet with responses to each correction. The review time for resubmittals is approximately 5 business days.

If your plans have been approved, you will be notified via email with instructions on next steps for permit issuance.

Step Nine:  Invoice sent for payment of permit fees.  Previous fees were for plan review only.

Step Ten:  Permit fees paid by applicant and permit issued and construction  can begin.