Pre-Approved ADU Plan Submittal Process

To utilize Santa Ana’s Pre-Approved ADU Plans, your property must meet the following requirements:

• • Project site is developed or proposed to be developed with a single-family dwelling unit
  • Not located in a flood zone (Zone A or AE)
  • Not located in a historic district (French Park (SD-19), Downtown Historic District, and Floral Park)
  • Not located in Heninger Park (SD-40)
  • Proposed project must meet grading permit exemption requirements

Use the property information search tool to determine if your property is eligible.

• All Pre-Approved ADU’s require an address to be assigned prior to submittal of Plans.
• To request a new address, please email the Planning Division at Planning@santa-ana.org with a brief description of your project and a Site Plan identifying all existing buildings on the property and the location of proposed detached ADU. Please allow up to 3 business days for staff to process your request and respond with an email with further instructions.

• Projects utilizing the Pre-Approved ADU Plans can only submit via electronic plan check.
• Pre-Approved ADU plans qualify as Tier 2 Projects and are eligible for Planning and Building concurrent review.
• Click here to request an electronic plan review for a new Pre-Approved ADU. Please allow up to 3 business days for staff to process your request and respond with an email with further instructions.

• While you wait for a response, please ensure you have all the following  documents, which are required for Pre-Approved ADU Plan submittal.
  • Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Checklist, use this sheet as a guide to ensure your plans meet all necessary requirements for submittal.
  • Pre-Approved ADU Application and Affidavit
  • Hold Harmless Agreement
  • Site Plan detailing the Pre-Approved Plan set utilized, all existing and proposed structures, property lines, walkways, driveways, landscaped yards, walls/fences, air conditioning units, and existing or proposed easements (minimum scale: 1 inch = 20 feet).
  • Cover Page (Title Sheet) of your chosen Pre-Approved ADU Plan must have all fillable fields completed.
  • Grading Exemption Packet shall be submitted, completed and signed along with application.
  • Copy of Recent Title Report: The Title Report must have been completed within the last six months and must include an Assessor’s Parcel Map, Grant Deed, and Legal Description for the property. The Grant Deed should indicate the owner of record signing the General Data and Affidavit form.  A Title Report can be obtained through any title company.
  • Selected Pre-Approved ADU Plans have been pre-filed and named according to the required File Naming Convention and Upload Submittal Guide , please do not alter names of documents once you have downloaded them.
  • All other required documents and application that apply to your project.
  • Additional sheets submitted must be a minimum size of 24″ X 36″. I.e. Site Plan

• Once your request for Pre-Approved ADU Building Plan Check has been received, you will be invited (via email) to create an account and submit your project materials into a portal for review. Please follow the E-Plan Check Review Upload and Submittal Guide for file naming, size requirements and uploading instructions. You will have 10 days to upload your files after receiving your invitation.
• After you submit your application and materials, staff will pre-screen the uploaded application and materials and advise whether the submittal is incomplete, requires additional information, or deemed complete for processing.
• Once your application is deemed complete Planning and Building staff will send you links to pay the Planning and Building review fees (two separate fees).
• Review the E-Plan Review Processing Guide for next steps after your application has been accepted into the review process.

• Once plan check fees have been received, staff will review application and materials and notify applicant on any further direction.
• After all required departments have reviewed application and materials and they have been approved, staff will finalize any required permit fees and applicant will be directed to submit final payments.
• Once all payments have been received, staff will stamp plans for final approval and applicant will receive a notification email providing final approval.  Applicant will then be able to download plans and print a set for inspection.