Accessory Dwelling Units

ADU Website Header

This Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) webpage is a one-stop-shop for information and resources to assist homeowners with building an ADU on their property. Two key features of this webpage include an ADU Manual and ADU prototype plans. The ADU Manual is essentially a how-to guide for ADUs. The City also prepared eight different permit-ready ADU prototype plans. Links to the ADU Manual and prototype plans, as well as additional information and resources, are provided below.

What is an ADU and JADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit, also known as an ADU, is a residential unit that is up to 1,200 square feet in size that provides independent living facilities that include a kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities. An ADU may be incorporated into, attached to, or detached from a single-family, two-family, or multifamily residence and is subordinate to the principal residence. 

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit, also known as a JADU, is a residential unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size that is contained entirely within the walls of a single-family residence, including an attached garage, and that has a separate entrance. At a minimum, a JADU Unit includes an efficiency kitchen with a food preparation counter, cooking facility with appliances and storage cabinets, and may include a separate bathroom or may share a bathroom within the existing single-family residence. 

ADU Manual 

The City has prepared an ADU Manual, that is a how-to guide for ADUs. The Manual is designed for homeowners who are not familiar with the development process. Contents of the ADU Manual include: where to start, design considerations, ADU concepts and prototypes, implementation, glossary, and resources.

Prototype Plans 

If you are considering a new ADU for your property, we have great news! The City of Dublin has prepared Accessory Dwelling Unit prototype plans for your use. City of Dublin offers eight different plans, including five ADUs designed to be either attached or detached ADUs and three plans for converting a garage to an ADU. The prototype plans include studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom ADUs that range in size from 224 to 909 square feet. 

More information on the prototype plans and a link to download the floor plans, elevations, and renderings can be found on our  Prototype Plans page.

ADU Accelerator Program

Cities across California are amping up efforts to encourage the production of ADUs to help address the housing crisis. The new program, piloted by State Senator Steve Glazer, will be composed of 15 cities in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. This program provides individual rebates of up to $7,500 to property owners for new ADU units and up to $15,000 for new ADU units that are deed restricted to low-income households (minimum of 20 years.) As the purpose of the program is to encourage the construction of smaller ADU units, there will be no rebates for units over 1,000 square feet.

Visit our ADU Accelerator Program page to find out more details and how to apply for the rebate.

To incentivize ADUs, the City has either waived or reduced fees based on the size of the ADU. Visit our ADU fees and waivers page for information on the impact fees and building permit fees for ADUs.

For information on applying for a building permit, please visit the City’s Building Permit webpage or contact the Building and Safety Division at (925) 833-6620.