How long does an SF ADU permit actually take to get in your hands?
If anyone tells you city approval takes two weeks, run away. San Francisco ADU Solutions tells clients to expect anywhere from 3 to 6 months or more for the full review cycle through the Department of Building Inspection and Planning. State law sets tight guidelines, but local routing across multiple departments always adds cushion. Plan ahead so your construction schedule does not stall before you even break ground. San Francisco ADU Solutions provides ADU Contractor services for homes in San Francisco, CA.
Do I need an architect or can my contractor draw the plans?
For simple wood-frame structures under certain dimensions, an unlicensed person or contractor can sometimes draft plans. But in San Francisco, especially when dealing with older soft-story or multi-family buildings in the Mission or the Sunset, you usually need a licensed professional. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy calculations are important. Getting professional stamps upfront saves you from correction letters down the road. For homes and businesses in San Francisco, San Francisco ADU Solutions provides ADU Contractor services.
What happens if my property has an unpermitted in-law unit already?
Plenty of older homes across San Francisco hide unpermitted spaces built decades ago. The good news is that the city has a formal legalization path. You can fold that existing square footage into your legal ADU application. Expect a deeper dive from inspectors regarding life-safety items like ceiling heights, fire separation, and egress windows, but bringing it out of the shadows adds real value to your property. Call San Francisco ADU Solutions for ADU Contractor work in San Francisco, CA.
Will adding an ADU force me to upgrade my main electrical panel?
Almost certainly. Most older San Francisco homes run on 100-amp or even 60-amp electrical services. Adding a separate dwelling unit means independent heating, kitchen appliances, and lighting loads that require a 200-amp panel upgrade. Pacific Gas and Electric coordination can take time, so San Francisco ADU Solutions always evaluates your electrical capacity during our initial site assessment. We provide ADU Contractor services for homes and businesses in San Francisco.
Can the city deny my ADU permit application arbitrarily?
State laws have severely clipped the wings of local discretion. If your project meets objective building standards, height limits, and setback rules, the city must approve it. They cannot block you just because the neighbors do not like it. However, they will comb through your drawings for code compliance on ventilation, sound insulation, and fire ratings. For San Francisco homes, San Francisco ADU Solutions is here for all your ADU Contractor needs.
How do impact fees and utility connection charges shake out?
San Francisco Water Power and Sewer often hits you with capacity charges based on the size of your new unit and plumbing fixtures. If your ADU is under 750 square feet, state rules protect you from certain school and local impact fees, but utility connection fees from public utilities still apply. Always budget a separate cash reserve for utility hookups so you are not caught off guard when the bills arrive. The work will hold up for many years in the San Francisco climate.