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Permit guides
ADU Permits in Woodland: a Homeowner's Guide
The city's preapproved ADU checklist, the Spring Lake soils rule, flood-zone requirements, 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
In Woodland, ADU permits run through the Community Development Department at 300 First Street, Woodland, CA 95695 — (530) 661-5820. The city publishes a dedicated Preapproved ADU Permit Application Checklist that spells out exactly what a submittal using preapproved plans must contain. The city's own note on that checklist is worth quoting: preapproved plans are not guaranteed to work on every site, and they strongly recommend discussing requirements with the Planning Division before contracting with any designer.
What you can build
1,200 sq ftMax for a detached ADU under state law
4 ftMinimum side and rear setbacks, detached ADUs
20 ftFront setback for detached ADUs (or the zone's, whichever is greater)
10 ftSide setback can reach this on corner lots near utility easements
1 + 1One converted-space ADU plus one detached ADU plus a JADU on single-family lots
60 daysState deadline to act on a complete application
Woodland-specific requirements to know early
- Spring Lake area: a geotechnical report signed by a licensed geotechnical engineer is required — or a letter showing the foundation and drainage substantially comply with an existing soils report.
- Flood zones: a Flood Elevation Certificate is required with the submittal.
- Septic or well: upgrading to city services is required — you can't build an ADU on a private septic system here.
- Preapproved plans must include a post-tension slab design.
Check your lot's overlays first. Spring Lake soils, flood zones, and corner-lot easements are the three things that most often surprise Woodland homeowners after plans are already drawn. A quick call to the Planning Division at (530) 661-5820 before design starts is the cheapest insurance there is.
What goes into the submittal
- Building permit application plus a copy of the contract (or authorization letter) with the preapproved plan owner
- Dimensioned plot plan: lot dimensions, footprints, setbacks, easements, utilities, drainage, trees, driveway
- Site-specific construction details: foundation plan, plumbing and electrical tie-ins
- Electrical load calculations (if connecting to the primary home), waste reduction and recycling plan
- Solar plans and fire sprinkler plans, if applicable
Where applications usually get stuck
- Soils and drainage. Spring Lake lots without a soils strategy get held at plan check.
- Utility tie-ins. The city wants to see exactly how plumbing and electrical connect to the primary home — vague notes don't pass.
- Septic surprises. Discovering mid-design that the lot is on septic restarts the project around a sewer connection.
- Corner-lot setbacks. Side setbacks up to 10 feet for utility easements shrink buildable area on corner parcels.
Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We check your property against Woodland's requirements, coordinate the plans and specialists, and manage the submittal and corrections — one point of contact.