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Permit guides

ADU Permits in Concord: a Homeowner's Guide

Concord gives away pre-approved ADU plans for free — with plan-check fees waived and review in about five days. It's the best deal in the East Bay.

Last updated October 2026. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the city before you build.

Who handles your permit

ADU permits in Concord go through the Community Development Department — start with a planner at the Permit Center, then file the building permit. Contact: bldgpermits@cityofconcord.org, (925) 671-3107. The city lays out three tracks: custom design, free city pre-approved plans, and pre-approved plans from private designers.

What you can build

Why Concord stands out:

The free plans come in styles common to Concord — bungalow/craftsman, Spanish-inspired, postwar rancher, modern. ADUs over 800 sq ft must also meet the city's objective design standards.

Three tracks, one clear winner

1. Free city pre-approved plans. Six construction-level designs the city already approved. No design fees, plan-check fees waived — you provide a basic site plan (hourly review applies to that) and can be approved in as few as five days with a complete submittal.

2. Pre-approved plans from designers. Private designers can get plans pre-approved; you contract with the designer to use them, skip standard plan check (5 business days on a complete submittal), and pay only hourly site-plan review.

3. Custom design. The typical building-permit path with standard review times and fees.

What goes into the submittal

For the free-plan track:

• Meet with a planner to confirm the selected plan fits your lot, setbacks, and parking
• Sign the city's pre-approved plans waiver and release
• Prepare your site-specific site plan
• Compile the forms in the city's submittal requirements
• Apply for the building permit (online; permit available in the Virtual Permit Center)

Where applications usually get stuck

• Modifying pre-approved plans. The single most common self-inflicted delay — changes void the fast track.
• Over-800-sq-ft design standards. Larger ADUs must meet objective design standards (CMC 18.200.180.C.10).
• Site-plan review. Even on the free track, your site plan gets hourly-billed review — make it clean.