ADU Rules in Fresno County, California
We track 2 cities in Fresno County. Each city writes its own ADU ordinance on top of California law, so size limits, fees, and design rules differ from one city to the next. Among the cities we track, Fresno has the lowest starting permit fees ($4,000 – $10,000).
Cities
2
Max Detached Size
1,200 sq ft
Build Costs From
$90,000
Pre-approved Plans
2 of 2 cities
Fresno County Cities Compared
| City | Max detached | Height | Permit fees | Build cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | 1,200 sq ft | 16 ft | $4,000 – $10,000 | $90,000 – $200,000 |
| Clovis | 1,200 sq ft | 16 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile walking distance of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor) | $4,500 – $9,500 | $120,000 – $250,000 |
Fresno ADU rules
Fresno's ADU Program offers five pre-approved plans, from a 340 sq ft studio to a 1,015 sq ft three-bedroom unit, each with three exterior styles and solar plans included. Using a standard plan can shorten plan check considerably compared with a custom design. Detached and attached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft and 16 ft in height.
Clovis ADU rules
Clovis started one of California's first free ADU plan programs, the Cottage Home Program, originally aimed at alley lots in Old Town and now open citywide. The city also runs a pre-approved ADU plan program under AB 1332. Large suburban lots and three-car garages make both detached units and garage conversions common.
Rules that apply in every California city are summarized in our California ADU law guide. See all California cities or compare every city side by side.