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Permit guides
ADU Permits in Carmichael: a Homeowner's Guide
Carmichael isn't a city — so Sacramento County issues your permit. Here's how the county process works for Carmichael addresses — in plain language.
Last updated October 2026. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the county before you build.
First: it's the county, not a city
Carmichael is an unincorporated community — there is no City of Carmichael building department. ADU permits are issued by Sacramento County's Building Permits & Inspection Division: the Building Assistance Center at 9800 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827, or the Downtown Permit Center at 827 7th Street, Room 102 — (916) 875-5296, building.saccounty.gov. If your mailing address says Carmichael but the parcel sits inside a neighboring city, the city handles it — verify jurisdiction by parcel, not by ZIP.
What you can build
The county's ADU zoning standards (current version effective May 2025) set the local rules:
1,200 sq ftMax for a detached ADU under state law
1 storyDetached ADUs are limited to one story under county standards
18 ftPossible with increased setbacks: 10 ft rear, 5 ft side
4 ftMinimum side and rear setbacks, standard detached ADUs
PermanentAll ADUs must be on a permanent foundation
60 daysState deadline to act on a complete application
Going taller than the standard limits (up to 18 feet) is possible with bigger setbacks — near transit, or with documentation showing the ADU's roof pitch matches the primary dwelling. Anything beyond that needs a Special Development Permit.
Carmichael-specific things to know
- Park district impact fees. Carmichael sits in the Carmichael Recreation and Park District, and the county collects park impact fees on residential development including ADUs — a line item city residents don't see.
- SMUD territory. Carmichael is served by SMUD, so electrical service upgrades go through SMUD's application process — get the load calculation done early.
- Older housing stock. Much of Carmichael was built in the 1950s–70s; garage conversions frequently surface panel capacity, foundation, and ceiling-height issues.
- Mature lots. Large trees and established landscaping mean tree protection and root-zone conflicts come up more often here than in newer suburbs.
Confirm jurisdiction first. Carmichael borders Citrus Heights, Sacramento, and Fair Oaks. A Carmichael mailing address doesn't guarantee a county permit — check the parcel against the county's jurisdiction map before you start.
What goes into the submittal
- Building permit application to Sacramento County (online or in person)
- Site plan: lot lines, structures, setbacks, easements, utilities, drainage
- Architectural plans: floor plans, elevations, sections
- Structural plans and calculations, Title 24 energy documents
- Park district fee calculation for the Carmichael Recreation and Park District
Where applications usually get stuck
- Wrong counter. Applying to a neighboring city instead of the county — or vice versa — wastes weeks.
- Height ambitions. Two-story detached ADU designs hit the county's one-story limit and need a redesign or a Special Development Permit.
- Electrical service. Older panels in mid-century homes often can't carry an all-electric ADU without a SMUD-coordinated upgrade.
- Setback math on tight lots. The 10-ft rear / 5-ft side trade for extra height doesn't fit every parcel.
Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We verify your parcel's jurisdiction, check it against the county's ADU standards, and manage the submittal and corrections — one point of contact.