Permit guides

ADU Permits in San Leandro: a Homeowner's Guide

San Leandro approves ADUs ministerially — but it cares a lot about how the unit looks next to your house.

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

Who handles your permit

ADU permits in San Leandro go through the city's Planning Division with ministerial building-permit review — the code requires approval within 60 days of a complete application. One catch: if your ADU application is bundled with anything needing discretionary review, the building permit can't issue until that review (and any appeal period) is finished.

What you can build

The local standards that shape most San Leandro projects:

1,200 sq ftMax for a detached ADU

16 ftHeight limit (18 ft near BART or TEMPO transit)

4 ftMinimum rear and side setbacks

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

No parkingNo parking spaces required for ADUs or JADUs

5 ftMinimum separation between buildings

No replacement parking is required when a garage or carport is converted to an ADU. Owner-occupancy is not required.

Design rules that surprise people

San Leandro's code has some of the most specific design standards in the East Bay. Attached or converted ADUs must use the same roof and exterior wall materials, colors, trim, and predominant roof form and pitch as the primary dwelling. A converted garage has to lose its garage door in favor of matching wall material and trim.

And this one is absolute: ADUs may not contain balconies, upper-story decks, or rooftop terraces. If your plans show one, expect a correction.

Match the house, or redesign. The design-match rule is where most San Leandro correction rounds come from — settle materials and roof form before you submit.

What goes into the submittal

A typical San Leandro submittal includes:

Building permit application
Site plan showing setbacks, easements, and the 5-foot building separation
Floor plans and elevations (existing and proposed)
Structural calculations and Title 24 energy compliance
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical layouts

Where applications usually get stuck

Design-match corrections. Roof pitch, siding, and trim have to mirror the main house — reviewers check this closely.
Balcony/deck prohibition. Any outdoor living above grade on the ADU is out.
Bundled discretionary review. Pair the ADU with an addition or remodel needing discretionary approval and the ADU waits.
Flood and geohazard zones. Parts of San Leandro sit in flood or seismic hazard zones that add foundation and elevation requirements.

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