To make it even easier to build GLADUR ADUs, HEART has partnered with jurisdictions to pre-review the GLADUR designs. This will reduce permit approval times for homeowners and streamline the permitting process.
Due to HEART’s established boundaries within San Mateo County (SMC), our highest priority is to establish this process with jurisdictions based within SMC.
While jurisdictions might differ in the level of pre-review offered for GLADUR designs, they all provide streamlining benefits that homeowners would not receive if using their own designs.
All jurisdictions will require homeowners to prepare a site plan for their project when applying for a permit. This will allow the city to ensure that the project is in an eligible zoning area, meets all applicable city zoning codes and that the site is suitable for the GLADUR ADU designs.
Please note that for homeowners who have sites that do not conform with all of the general pre-review site characteristics, or who materially change the designs, the projects will need to undergo a full site plan and construction document review.
Current jurisdictions that have pre-reviewed the GLADUR designs:
- City of South San Francisco
- City of Redwood City
- City of Belmont
- City of Daly City
- City of East Palo Alto
Pre-Reviewed jurisdictions in detail:
City of South San Francisco
The city has fully pre-reviewed the designs. Applicants are still subject to zoning and site-specific conditions review.
The Planning Department will conduct a standard zoning and site plan review and the Building
Department will verify whether the site meets the construction plan’s standard site characteristics (e.g. soil, slope, egress, etc.). Projects that meet zoning requirements and the construction plan’s site characteristics will be eligible for expedited building permit processing.
For a summary of the city’s ADU general information and requirements, please click here. For more information on the city’s requirements and codes, please visit the city’s Planning Department, Building Department, and Permit Center.
Some examples of site-specific or city requirements are:
- Please see Chapter 20.350.035 for conformity with the City’s Municipal Code standards;
- The ADU Deed Restriction needs to be signed and recorded with the County, with a copy provided to the City, in order for Planning to approve an ADU and sign-off on the building permit;
- Photo voltaic is required under the “California Green Code”.
Some examples of items that will be reviewed:
- Code items (i.e. no precast pier blocks allowed in our seismic zone)
- Egress components (windows or doors) need to comply
- Braced wall size and location
- Where is the face of the building in relationship to property line?
- Is the building too close to setbacks?
- Is the building in a Public Utility Easement?
- Is the building fire separation sufficient for egress, windows, construction type?
- Is the topology of the site suitable for the foundation or will the foundation need to be built up?
- Is the project within 0.5 mile walking distance of transit?
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City of Redwood City
The city has fully pre-reviewed the designs. Applicants are still subject to zoning and site-specific conditions review.
The Planning Department will conduct a standard zoning and site plan review and the Building
Department will verify whether the site meets the construction plan’s standard site characteristics (e.g. soil, slope, egress, etc.). Projects that meet zoning requirements and the construction plan’s site characteristics will be eligible for expedited building permit processing.
To view the city’s ADU general information and requirements, please click here. For more information on the city’s requirements and codes, please visit the city’s Community Development Department, Planning Department, or Building Department.
Some examples of site specific or city requirements are:
- The foundation design (i.e. hillside or new bay mud areas);
- Designated WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) areas;
- Fire Flow test is required for each application;
- A School District notification (the city is required to have ADU recorded with the school district);
- Any project over $50,000 valuation is required to complete a Construction and Demolition recycling form;
- CAL Green checklist and standard BMP plan.
Assuming no major changes to the GLADUR designs, and the application has met all city, county, and state requirements, if plans are submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday, they will be reviewed on Wednesday (dependent on staff capacity and amount of applications). If approved, counter staff should be able to issue by Friday at 5pm (pending school district recordation has taken place).
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City of Belmont
The city has pre-reviewed the designs for zoning and site characteristics review only. The city
will conduct a second expedited review for each homeowner. This means that city planning staff will review the plans to ensure that it generally conforms with their zoning and design guidelines. These include: maximum lot coverage, maximum floor area, height, green features and design characteristics. The building department will review the plans to ensure they meet the California Building Code, including Title 24, and any additional requirements in their local building code.
To view the city’s ADU general information and requirements, please click here. For more information on the city’s requirements and codes, please visit the city’s Community Development Department, Permit Center, Planning Department, or Building Department.
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City of East Palo Alto
The city has pre-reviewed the designs for zoning and site characteristics review only. The city
will conduct a second expedited review for each homeowner. This means that city planning staff will review the plans to ensure that it generally conforms with their zoning and design guidelines. These include: maximum lot coverage, maximum floor area, height, green features and design characteristics. The building department will review the plans to ensure they meet the California Building Code, including Title 24, and any additional requirements in their local building code.
To view the city’s ADU general information and requirements, please click here. For more information on the city’s requirements and codes, please visit the city’s Permit Center, Planning Department, or Building Department.
Some examples of site specific or city requirements are:
- As the City is located in a flood zone area, there are properties that are subject to meeting
requirements per Municipal Code Section 15.52 regarding floodplain management; - Set back requirements;
- Requirements if a unit is located in WUI (Wildlife Urban Interface zone);
- CALGreen mandatory measures are required for residential projects that increase the
conditioned space per CGBC 301.1.1.
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City of Daly City
The city has pre-reviewed the designs for zoning and site characteristics review only. The city
will conduct a second expedited review for each homeowner. This means that city planning staff will review the plans to ensure that it generally conforms with their zoning and design guidelines. These include: maximum lot coverage, maximum floor area, height, green features and design characteristics. The building department will review the plans to ensure they meet the California Building Code, including Title 24, and any additional requirements in their local building code.
To view the city’s ADU general information and requirements, please click here. For more information on the city’s requirements and codes, as well as contact information for the Building and Planning Departments, please visit the city’s Permit Center.
Some examples of site-specific or city requirements are:
- Items such as: Service Utility Meter Quantity, Exterior Siding Material, Piping, Conductor Material, location of Disconnecting Means, etc.;
- Set back requirements;
- Requirements if a unit is located in WUI (Wildlife Urban Interface zone);
- CALGreen mandatory measures are required for residential projects that increases the
conditioned space per CGBC 301.1.1
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