Can I sell my ADU separately from my house in Sacramento?

Yes, under AB 1033, Sacramento allows ADU condo conversions. You can create a separate condo unit for your ADU and sell it independently. This requires a condo map, CC&Rs, and HOA formation.

Are there any new ADU fee exemptions in 2026?

ADUs under 750 sq ft remain exempt from all impact fees. Larger ADUs are subject to proportional fees only — cities cannot charge full single-family home fees for ADUs.

How fast can I get an ADU permit in Sacramento?

Using pre-approved plans from the ADU Ally program, permits can be issued in as little as 2 weeks. Custom plans typically take 8–14 weeks including corrections.

Back to all articles

Permits & Regulations8 min readJanuary 1, 2026

California ADU Laws 2026: What Changed and What It Means for Sacramento Homeowners

California continues to expand ADU-friendly legislation. Here's what changed in 2025–2026 and how Sacramento homeowners can take advantage of the new rules.

California's ADU Revolution Continues

Since 2017, California has passed over a dozen laws making it easier and cheaper to build ADUs. The state views ADUs as a critical tool for addressing the housing shortage — and the results are dramatic. California permitted over 20,000 ADUs in 2024, up from just 1,200 in 2016. Sacramento County alone issued over 1,200 ADU permits in 2023. Here's what's new for 2026.

AB 1033: ADU Condo Conversions

Perhaps the most significant recent change, AB 1033 allows homeowners to sell their ADU as a separate condominium unit. This means you can build an ADU and sell it independently from your primary home — creating a new path to profit beyond rental income. Sacramento has opted into this program, making it one of the first major cities to allow ADU condo sales.

Pro Tip: AB 1033 ADU condo sales require a condo map, CC&Rs, and HOA formation. The process adds $10,000–$20,000 in legal and surveying costs, but the ability to sell an ADU separately can significantly increase your return on investment.

Pre-Approved ADU Plans Programs

California now requires all cities and counties to develop pre-approved ADU plan programs. Sacramento's ADU Ally program and Rocklin's Permit-Ready ADU Program offer free or low-cost pre-approved plans that can be permitted in as little as 2 weeks. These programs dramatically reduce soft costs (design, engineering, permitting) and timeline.

Sacramento ADU Ally: Free pre-approved plans for multiple ADU sizes
Rocklin Permit-Ready: Pre-approved plans with expedited 2-week permitting
Placer County: Developing pre-approved plans for unincorporated areas
State requirement: All jurisdictions must have pre-approved plans available

Impact Fee Exemptions Expanded

The impact fee exemption threshold has been maintained at 750 sq ft. ADUs at or below this size are completely exempt from impact fees, which can save $3,000–$10,000. For ADUs above 750 sq ft, impact fees must be calculated proportionally — cities cannot charge the same fees as a new single-family home.

Streamlined Permitting Requirements

Cities must now process ADU applications ministerially (without discretionary review or public hearings) within 60 days. If a city fails to act within 60 days, the ADU is deemed approved. This prevents cities from using delay tactics to discourage ADU construction. Sacramento has generally met this timeline, though corrections can extend the practical timeline to 8–14 weeks.

What This Means for Sacramento Homeowners

The cumulative effect of California's ADU laws is that building an ADU in Sacramento has never been easier, faster, or more financially attractive. The combination of pre-approved plans, fee exemptions, streamlined permitting, and now the ability to sell ADUs as condos creates multiple paths to profit. Whether you're building for rental income, family housing, or eventual sale, the legal framework strongly supports ADU construction.