After your ADU passes final inspection: a post-construction checklist
Passing final inspection means your ADU is legally complete — but there's a short list of practical steps most homeowners still need to handle before the unit is actually ready to occupy or rent.
United Build PartnersUpdated 20266 min read
What final inspection actually confirms
Passing final inspection means your local building department has verified the completed work matches your approved permit and meets applicable code. It's a construction milestone, not an administrative finish line — a handful of other tasks still generally need your attention before the unit is fully squared away.
The post-construction checklist
1
Update your homeowners insurance. Contact your insurance agent to add the new structure to your policy — most standard policies don't automatically extend full coverage to a newly completed ADU. See our ADU insurance guide for how this typically works.
2
Expect a property tax assessment update. Your county assessor will typically reassess based on the new construction's value, generally triggered by the completed building permit record. See our ADU property tax guide for how this partial reassessment works.
3
Confirm your utility setup is finalized. If your ADU required a separate utility connection, confirm the account is properly set up and billing correctly before move-in. See our ADU utility connections guide.
4
Review any recorded covenant obligations. If your city required a recorded covenant as part of approval, make sure you understand its ongoing terms — particularly minimum rental length and any restrictions on separate sale. See our recorded covenant guide.
5
If renting, prepare your lease and screening process. Decide on rent, screening criteria, and lease terms before listing — and confirm your city's minimum rental term requirement if you're in a city with one.
6
Keep your permit records and warranty documentation. Store your final permit, inspection sign-offs, and contractor warranty paperwork somewhere you can find them — they matter for future resale, insurance claims, and any warranty work. See our ADU contractor warranty guide.
This is a general checklist, not a complete or personalized list
Your specific next steps depend on your city, your lender, your insurance carrier, and your plans for the unit. This page describes common tasks many homeowners handle after final inspection, not a complete or personalized checklist for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Not automatically, in most cases. Contact your insurance agent after final inspection to add the new structure to your policy — see our ADU insurance guide for how coverage typically works.
Reassessment is generally triggered once the county becomes aware of the completed construction, often through the building permit's final inspection record. Timing can vary by county.
Keep your final permit, all inspection sign-offs, and your contractor's written warranty documentation. These matter for future resale, insurance claims, and any warranty-related work.
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