Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
An ADU, sometimes called a guest house, granny flat, or in-law unit, is defined as an attached or detached residential dwelling unit, which provides complete independent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation for one or more persons. The goal of ADUs is to facilitate and encourage the development of diverse housing types and additional affordable housing units to accommodate a diversity of Lafayette citizens in terms of age and socio-economic background and to meet the regional housing needs. The intent of this review is to maintain a residential character and ensure that second units are auxiliary to the main residence.
Permit-ready ADU Plans coming soon!
- City-Sponsored Pre-Approved ADU Plans: The City of Lafayette, along with our neighbors Orinda and Moraga recently selected RRM Design Group to design a collection of pre-approved ADU plans for public use in the Lamorinda jurisdictions. Residents should be on the lookout for public feedback opportunities starting in August. Once completed and approved, the plans will be made available online at no cost for local property owners to use (estimated early Spring 2027)
- DRAFT prototype designs will be presented to the Planning Commission on August 17, 2026 for for public input and Commission feedback. View the DRAFT ptototype designs.
- We invite residents to share their feedback through our public survey. Your input will help inform refinements to the plans before they are considered for adoption by the three jurisdictions. The public survey will remain open through August 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. We encourage all residents to submit their feedback before the deadline.
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Designer-Initiated Pre-Approved ADU Plans: The City also offers a pathway for architects and designers to get their ADU designs pre-approved without a site plan. Once a Pre-approved ADU (PADU) plan has been pre-approved by both the City Planning Department and the County Building Department, a preview of the plan will be made available online and interested parties can contact the architect or designer regarding price, availability, and feasibility for your particular site.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Fees Reduced through 2026!
Are you thinking of building a second unit? ADUs are a quick and effective way to increase housing availability and reduce housing costs in Lafayette while preserving the neighborhood character. To further reduce barriers to building an ADU, the City is temporarily reducing the development impact fees charged for new ADUs by 50% through 2026!
Learn more about the ADU Grant Program offered by the CA Housing Finance Agency.
Unlock up to $15,000 in rebates for building a new ADU!
The City of Lafayette is participating in the Senate District 7 ADU Accelerator Program, a state-funded initiative aimed at encouraging the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Read more about the Accelerator Program Incentives.
Is my project subject to an ADU Permit?
All new ADUs require approval of a building permit. In addition, an ADU Permit may be required to establish a second unit in a single-family or multi-family residential zoning district. All ADUs are approved ministerially, without a public hearing. Read more about the different types of ADUs to determine whether your proposal requires an ADU Permit.
Do you have an ADU on your property?
Help the City improve the ADU application process by completing this survey for homeowners.
Amnesty Program Available to Legalize an ADU Built Before 2020
If you have an ADU on your property that was built without permits, it may be eligible for amnesty (legalization) under AB 2533 if it was constructed or converted before January 1, 2020. Visit our page on ADU Amnesty for more information.