Permit guides

ADU Permits in Lincoln: a Homeowner's Guide

The city's pre-approved master plan program, the under-750 sq ft fee break, and how review works — in plain language.

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

Who handles your permit

For property inside Lincoln city limits, permits come from the City of Lincoln Community Development Department, Building Division at 600 Sixth Street, Lincoln, CA 95648 — (916) 434-2470. That's the correct authority, not Placer County — starting at the wrong counter costs weeks. Payments run through the city's Citizen Portal, and plan documents for electronic review must be uploaded as separate PDFs by document type.

What you can build

1,000 sq ftLocal size allowance — up to 1,200 if less than half the primary dwelling

16 ftHeight limit for most detached ADUs

4 ftMinimum side and rear setbacks, detached ADUs

$0 feesNo traffic impact or public-facility fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft

30 daysDecision deadline for complete pre-approved-plan applications

7+Typical inspections: footing, pre-slab, shear, frame, insulation, drywall, final

Lincoln's pre-approved ADU master plan program

The city runs a pre-approved ADU master plan program: use one of the posted plans unchanged, and a complete application must be approved or denied within 30 days — considerably faster than a custom design. Two catches: the posted plans cannot be modified (any deviation sends the project into full standalone review), and you still need site-specific documentation for your lot.

Under 750 sq ft is the sweet spot. Lincoln imposes no traffic impact mitigation or public-facility fees on ADUs under 750 square feet — a meaningful budget line that makes smaller units pencil out well here.

What goes into the submittal

Building permit application (separate PDFs per document type for electronic review)
Site plan: lot, existing structures, ADU footprint, setbacks, parking
Architectural drawings: floor plans, elevations, sections
Structural plans and calculations for detached or complex projects
Utility connection plan; Title 24 energy documents

Where applications usually get stuck

Modified pre-approved plans. Changing even a small detail of a posted plan voids the 30-day track — decide upfront whether the plan fits as-is.
Fee surprises on larger units. Lincoln's permit fees are formula-based (building, plan check, trade, technology, energy, fire, and more) — budget from the current fee schedule, not a flat guess.
Inspection sequencing. With seven-plus inspections typical, plan the construction schedule around them, not just the final walkthrough.
Separate trade permits. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each carry their own permit, fee, and inspection sequence.

Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We check your property against Lincoln's requirements, compare the pre-approved and custom paths for your lot, 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