Permit guides

ADU Permits in Dublin: a Homeowner's Guide

Dublin stacks three incentives — prototype plans, waived fees, and cash rebates — making it one of the cheapest cities to permit an ADU.

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

Who handles your permit

ADU permits in Dublin go through the Community Development Department, filed electronically through the Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Portal at dublin.ca.gov/CSS. The city issued 81 ADU building permits in 2025 — one of the highest counts in the Tri-Valley — and publishes an ADU Manual guiding applicants through the process.

What you can build

Dublin's incentive stack:

PrototypeFree prototype ADU plans + ADU Manual

WaivedPermitting fees waived (see conditions)

Up to $15kAccelerator rebates for deed-restricted units

1,200 sq ftMax ADU size (150 sq ft minimum)

1 + 1One ADU plus one JADU per single-family lot

81ADU permits issued in 2025

Fee waivers run January 2022–December 2026: full permitting-fee waiver for ADUs under 750 sq ft, and for larger ADUs deed-restricted as lower-income for 55 years.

Plans, waivers, and rebates

Three programs stack in Dublin. Prototype plans plus the city's ADU Manual give you a permit-ready starting point. Fee waivers (2022–2026) erase city permitting fees for sub-750-sq-ft ADUs. And the ADU Accelerator Program — the state pilot run through Senate District 7 — pays rebates up to $7,500 per new ADU, or up to $15,000 for units deed-restricted to low-income households (20+ years).

Two outside items to plan for: DSRSD (Dublin San Ramon Services District) reviews sewer and water separately — plansubmittals@dsrsd.com, (925) 828-0515 — and Dublin School District fees apply at 750+ square feet. Projects valued at $100,000+ also need an approved Waste Management Plan.

Stack all three. Prototype plans + fee waiver + rebate is the cheapest ADU permitting path in the Tri-Valley — but the waiver window ends December 2026.

What goes into the submittal

Dublin's electronic submittal asks for:

ADU/JADU submittal checklist with all required forms
Site plan with dimensioned setbacks of all existing and proposed structures
Floor-area and lot-coverage calculations on the plans
North/south/east/west elevations showing openings and finishes
Utility availability information; DSRSD review coordinated separately

Where applications usually get stuck

DSRSD review. A separate district with its own submittal process and timeline.
School district fees. They kick in at 750 sq ft — right where fee waivers phase.
Waste Management Plan. Required at $100,000+ valuation, approved before permit issuance.
Waiver sunset. The fee waiver program ends December 2026 — permits applied after that pay full fees.

Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We look at your property, map the requirements, coordinate the plans and specialists, and manage the submittal and corrections — one point of contact.

Tell us what you need help with.

Not sure where to start? That's what we're here for.

Send your project

Erik — (916) 540-8960 · Vall — (916) 956-8106
office@pcg-engineering.pro