ADU Rules in Sacramento County, California
We track 3 cities in Sacramento 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, Sacramento has the lowest starting permit fees ($3,500 – $15,000).
Cities
3
Max Detached Size
1,200 sq ft
Build Costs From
$120,000
Pre-approved Plans
2 of 3 cities
Sacramento County Cities Compared
| City | Max detached | Height | Permit fees | Build cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento | 1,200 sq ft | Same as the underlying zone (for example, 35 ft in R-1) | $3,500 – $15,000 | $130,000 – $380,000 |
| Elk Grove | 1,200 sq ft | 16 ft | $5,000 – $11,000 | $120,000 – $260,000 |
| Citrus Heights | 1,200 sq ft | 18 ft detached (plus 2 ft to match the main home's roof pitch) | $5,500 – $11,000 | $140,000 – $285,000 |
Sacramento ADU rules
Sacramento lets detached ADUs reach the height limit of the underlying zone, 35 ft in R-1, so two-story ADUs are possible on most single-family lots. A lot can have up to 1,200 sq ft of detached ADU space, shared if two detached units are built. The city offers free permit-ready plans under 750 sq ft, which avoids impact fees.
Elk Grove ADU rules
Elk Grove offers free city pre-approved ADU plans (a 625 sq ft one-bedroom and a 746 sq ft two-bedroom, updated to the 2025 codes), and also accepts designers' pre-approved and master plans. Both city plans stay under 750 sq ft, so impact fees do not apply. Many neighborhoods are master-planned with HOA design rules.
Citrus Heights ADU rules
Citrus Heights offers free permit-ready ADU plans (499 to 749 sq ft, one and two bedrooms) that skip the design and plan review stage and save more than $7,000. Sizes stay under 750 sq ft, so impact fees do not apply. Typical 6,000 to 8,000 sq ft lots fit a detached unit without much trouble.
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.