Marin County · California
Tiburon ADU guide: local rules, permits & property planning
Tiburon’s ADU checklist reaches beyond a building footprint: the exit route to the street, retaining walls and separate heating system must be shown. Those details are especially useful when comparing a conversion with new construction.
Local planning guide · Reviewed October 2, 2026
What matters for an ADU in Tiburon
Permitting authority: Town of Tiburon — residential ADU submittal requirements
Official local guidanceLocal rules and design checks
| Topic | Local guidance |
|---|---|
| Street access | Show a separate exterior entrance and exit with a pathway to the street; detail new path construction, retaining walls and guardrails where needed. |
| Heating | The checklist calls for a separate heating system and identification of existing ducts to be removed from the ADU. |
| Drawing scale | The Town specifies scaled drawings on sheets at least 11 by 17 inches, with a fully dimensioned site plan. |
Selected local requirements, not a complete zoning determination. Confirm the current rules for your address with the responsible agency.
Fees and budget checks
Tiburon’s Forms & Fees page lists a $595 flat Secondary Dwelling Unit permit charge. Confirm that line item’s applicability and add the separate building, engineering and outside-agency charges; $595 is not an all-in ADU permit total.
Tiburon Forms & FeesHow to start the permit process
Prepare the Town’s ADU-specific plan package, including structural and energy documents. Use the Town’s online permit resource to apply, track the application and pay assessed fees.
Municipal design requirement
Tiburon’s exit-path drawing requirement
The official checklist requires the path to the street and associated retaining or guardrail details. Include this work in a conversion estimate, not only the interior rooms.
View the original sourceTiburon ADU questions
- Can I leave the path to the street off the plans?
- No. Tiburon’s ADU checklist expressly requires it and details for a newly built path.
- Is the $595 planning charge the entire project fee?
- No. Ask the Town to identify all applicable building and agency charges for the proposal.
Sources for this guide
- Town of Tiburon — residential ADU submittal requirements
- Tiburon Forms & Fees
- Tiburon forms and online permit portal
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 Tiburon 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.