ADU Builders in Sacramento, CA
Licensed contractor serving Sacramento and surrounding areas in Sacramento County. Custom ADUs, garage conversions, and home additions built right.
ADU Construction in Sacramento
As California's capital, Sacramento leads the state in ADU-friendly zoning and fast-track permitting. Result Construction has built more ADUs in Sacramento than any other area we serve.
Why Build an ADU in Sacramento?
Increase Property Value
An ADU in Sacramento can add 20–30% to your property value while providing immediate utility as a rental or guest house.
Rental Income
Sacramento rental demand continues to grow. A well-built ADU can generate $1,500–$2,500/month in passive income.
Multi-Generational Living
Keep family close with a private, self-contained unit on your property. Perfect for aging parents or adult children.
Building an ADU in the City of Sacramento
Sacramento publishes more of its ADU process than most California cities, which means the cost and the calendar can be worked out before anyone draws a plan. These are the City's own current figures.
The City gives away three ADU plans
Sacramento's Shelf Ready ADU Plans are free to residents: a studio at 367 habitable square feet, a one-bedroom at 559, and a two-bedroom at 747. They are drawn to the 2022 Residential Building Code, all-electric, and were refreshed in December 2025 with premanufactured roof trusses and ductless mini-split heating. You supply a site plan showing where the unit goes. The plans cannot be modified, although they may be mirrored, and each model includes a left-side wall option that lets that one side sit as close as a foot to the property line while the others keep five feet.
Why the largest free plan stops at 747 square feet
In the City's current fee estimate, development impact fees begin at 750 square feet. That estimate puts total City fees at $5,271.90 for a 749 square foot ADU and $10,624.40 at 750, because the Park Development, SAFCA and Sacramento Transportation Authority fees all begin at that line. A 1,200 square foot unit runs about $14,842.50 in City fees. School district fees sit outside this and are paid at the district office.
What the City's own timeline says
Optional zoning review takes 1-3 weeks. Building plan review runs roughly 1.5 to 2 months: 20 business days for the first cycle, 15 for a second if one is needed, 5 for a third. The City adds one caveat that matters more than the numbers: customer response time to corrections is not counted in that table, and that is where most projects actually lose weeks. No separate planning or zoning approval is required before you submit the building permit application. Under state law a complete ADU application must be approved or denied within 60 days or it is deemed approved, and within 30 days when it uses a City-preapproved plan.
Two rule sets, and you choose one for the lot
Under the local ADU ordinance you can put two ADUs on a lot, with detached units capped at 1,200 square feet combined and attached units at half the house or 850 square feet, whichever is greater, rising to 1,000 square feet with two or more bedrooms. Height follows the lot's zone. Side and rear setbacks are three feet when the unit sits less than 60 feet back from the front property line. Under the state standards a single-family lot can carry three units, detached new construction is capped at 800 square feet with four-foot side and rear setbacks and an 18-foot height limit plus two feet for a roof pitch matching the house, and short-term rental is not permitted.
You do not have to live on the property
California removed the owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs permanently, so an ADU can be built and rented by an owner who lives elsewhere. The exception is a junior ADU sharing sanitation facilities with the main house, which still requires owner-occupancy; Sacramento records a deed restriction on junior ADUs before the final inspection.
The optional zoning review is now free
It used to cost $117. Since 1 July 2026 the City waives the fee. It checks a plan against the Planning and Development Code before money goes into a design that will not fit the lot, and it is the cheapest hour in the whole process.
Figures above are the City of Sacramento's published numbers (adu.cityofsacramento.org, handout CDD-0423 revised 29 January 2026, ADU fee estimate revised 12 July 2026) and California Government Code sections 66314 to 66342. Fees and timelines change, so we confirm the current numbers for your address before you commit to anything.
Services in Sacramento
ADU Construction
Custom-built accessory dwelling units from 450 to 1,500 SF.
Learn MoreGarage Conversion
Transform your garage into a fully permitted living space.
Learn MoreHome Remodeling
Kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovations.
Learn MoreCommercial Construction
Retail buildouts, office renovations, and tenant improvements.
Learn More
ADU Construction Costs in Sacramento
Custom ADU
From $288/SF
Design-to-build, 450–1,500 SF
Garage Conversion
From $108,000
Fastest path to a rental unit
Financing Available
From $1,440/mo
Multiple lending partners
Get Your Free Estimate in Sacramento
Tell us about your project and we'll provide a detailed estimate within 24 hours.
Common Questions About ADUs in Sacramento
How much does an ADU cost in Sacramento?
ADU construction costs in Sacramento typically run from $288 to $348 per square foot — smaller 1-bedroom builds land near $348/SF, while larger 1,200+ SF builds benefit from economies of scale at around $288/SF. A 500 SF unit starts around $174,000, while a 1,200 SF two-bedroom unit runs about $348,000 at standard finish. Garage conversions start from $108,000. Contact us for a free, detailed estimate for your specific property.
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Sacramento?
Yes, ADU construction in Sacramento requires building permits from Sacramento County. California state law (AB 68, SB 13) has streamlined the process, and most jurisdictions must approve compliant ADU applications within 60 days. Result Construction handles all permitting and plan approvals as part of our full-service build process.
How long does ADU construction take in Sacramento?
A typical ADU build in Sacramento takes 4 to 6 months from permit approval to move-in. The permitting phase usually takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on Sacramento County processing times. Garage conversions are faster, often completing in 2 to 3 months. We provide a detailed timeline during your free consultation.
Does the City of Sacramento offer free ADU plans?
Yes. The City's Shelf Ready ADU Plans are free to residents and come in three sizes: a studio at 367 habitable square feet, a one-bedroom at 559 and a two-bedroom at 747. They are already drawn to the 2022 Residential Building Code and all-electric, so you only submit a site plan showing placement. The plans cannot be modified, although they can be mirrored. We build from these plans and we also design custom units when the lot or the brief calls for one.
What are the City permit fees for an ADU in Sacramento?
The City's own fee estimate puts total City fees at $5,271.90 for a 749 square foot ADU and $10,624.40 at 750 square feet, because development impact fees begin at that line. A 1,200 square foot unit runs about $14,842.50. School district fees are separate and paid at the district office. These are permit and fee figures only, not construction cost.