Permit guides

ADU Permits in Roseville: a Homeowner's Guide

Who issues the permit, what you can build, and how Roseville's review actually moves — in plain language.

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

Who handles your permit

In Roseville, ADU permits come from the City of Roseville Development Services Department, Building Division — not from Placer County. The Permit Center is at 311 Vernon Street, and applications are submitted digitally through the city's portal. A compliant application is approved ministerially, which means no public hearing and no discretionary review — if it meets the standards, it moves.

What you can build

1,200 sq ftMax for a detached ADU under state law

16 ftMax height for detached ADUs

4 ftMinimum side and rear setbacks, detached ADUs

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

60 daysState deadline for the city to act on a complete application

748 sq ftThe city's preapproved plan: detached two-bedroom

ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees under state law. Junior ADUs (up to 500 sq ft, carved from existing space) come with an owner-occupancy requirement and can't be used as short-term rentals.

Roseville's preapproved plan

The city publishes a preapproved 748 sq ft detached two-bedroom ADU plan. Using it (or an identical plan) puts you on the fastest track the city offers: a 10-business-day first review cycle, with five-business-day subsequent cycles.

Preapproved still means site-specific. The building design is pre-cleared, but your submittal still needs a site plan, zoning compliance, utility services, and fire sprinkler / photovoltaic layouts for your lot. The plan doesn't approve itself onto your property.

What goes into the submittal

Roseville's ADU checklist typically asks for:

Property Owner Affidavit and Electronic Signature Disclosure (for online submittal)
ADU Zoning Clearance Certification and Owner Agreement for the ADU
Site plan and elevations sheets
Structural, energy (Title 24), electrical, plumbing, and mechanical documents for custom plans
Application fee plus a 3% technology fee, paid once the application is accepted

A few items aren't due with the initial submittal but are required before zoning clearance is approved — including a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (deed restriction) and a current preliminary title report or grant deed.

Where applications usually get stuck

Zoning clearance surprises. Overlay zones, easements, or lot quirks surface late if nobody checks zoning before drawing plans.
Utility and fire review. New ADUs can trigger separate looks at water/sewer connections and fire access — plan for them early.
Correction rounds on custom plans. Each cycle is days to weeks; incomplete first submittals compound fast.
Renting the ADU. Roseville requires a separate ADU Occupancy Permit to rent the unit, plus compliance with the city's rental registration.

Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We check your property against 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