Contra Costa County · California
San Ramon ADU guide: local rules, permits & property planning
San Ramon offers its own free permit-ready designs in Craftsman, Mediterranean and Suburban Ranch styles. Their fixed layouts create a clear tradeoff between reduced design work and the flexibility of a custom ADU.
Local planning guide · Reviewed October 2, 2026
What matters for an ADU in San Ramon
Permitting authority: City of San Ramon — ADUs
Official local guidanceLocal rules and design checks
| Topic | Local guidance |
|---|---|
| City plan sizes | The City lists three one-bedroom, one-bathroom layouts ranging from 560 to 708 square feet. |
| Revisions | The City’s permit-ready plans must be used as designed and cannot be revised. |
| Outside approvals | The owner remains responsible for fire and utility approvals, inspections and occupancy documentation. |
Selected local requirements, not a complete zoning determination. Confirm the current rules for your address with the responsible agency.
Fees and budget checks
The City drawings are free to San Ramon homeowners, but permit fees still apply. Request an assessment for the site plan, building permit and applicable outside agencies before treating the design saving as a total-project discount.
San Ramon City Permit Ready ADU PlansHow to start the permit process
Complete the selected plan’s title sheet and site-plan template, assemble the City Permit-Ready ADU submission documents and apply through Citizen Self Service.
Plan resource
560–708-square-foot City designs
San Ramon’s municipal collection provides three architectural styles and three layouts. These are approved drawings, not completed ADU.zone projects.
View the original sourceSan Ramon ADU questions
- Can I move walls in a free City plan?
- The City says its permit-ready drawings cannot be revised. Discuss a custom application if the layout must change.
- Does a free plan mean a free permit?
- No. San Ramon expressly leaves permit fees, site work and outside-agency approvals with the homeowner.
Sources for this guide
- City of San Ramon — ADUs
- San Ramon City Permit Ready ADU Plans
- San Ramon permit and plan submittal instructions
Local sources reviewed October 2, 2026. Historical examples retain their stated dates. Contact ADU California to confirm project availability; this guide does not establish an office location or property approval.
A useful first review
Separate what is available from what still needs verification.
01
Confirm the property
Start with a complete address and review the available parcel, building, and map context.
02
Identify the unknowns
Keep missing setbacks, easements, utilities, access, hazards, and local requirements visible.
03
Choose the next review
Use the preliminary result to prepare a focused conversation with the required professionals and agencies.
Explore project types
Compare the scope before choosing a solution.
These pages explain the questions each project type introduces. They do not assert that a particular scope is permitted or suitable for your address.
Compare planning footprints
See common ADU sizes before choosing a design.
These model pages are planning references only. They are not a statement that a particular size is allowed or buildable at a San Ramon address.
California directory
Explore more city guides.
The next useful action
Put your address at the center of the conversation.
The online review is preliminary and is not a permit decision, survey, engineering opinion, construction document, final price, or guaranteed schedule.