The state law behind these programs
Under AB 1332 (Government Code § 65852.27), effective January 1, 2025, every California local agency must accept ADU plans for preapproval, post approved plans on its website with the designer's contact information, and act on a permit application that uses a preapproved plan within 30 days of a complete submission. Cities may still charge their normal permitting fees, and preapproval covers the building design — not whether the plan fits your specific lot's setbacks and constraints.
Practically, that means even cities without a mature program must now offer the pathway. The programs below are the ones in our coverage area with established catalogs.
Verified programs in our coverage area
| City | Program | What we verified |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | PAADU | Standardized plans for single-story detached ADUs under 1,200 sq ft; over-the-counter plan review with same-day permit issuance possible, versus the normal multi-week processing. |
| Anaheim | Plan Catalogue + ADU Express | A published pre-approved plan catalogue, and an Express pathway that can complete review for qualifying single-family properties in roughly 1–3 days. |
| Torrance | Pre-approved designs | City offers pre-approved ADU designs; coastal-adjacent parcels carry extra requirements — details and sources in our city guide. |
| Downey | Standard plans program | Pre-approved standard plans for detached ADUs. |
| Whittier | Preapproved ADU plans | Currently limited to one-story detached structures. |
| Bell Gardens | PADUPP | The city's Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans Program. |
| Laguna Niguel | PAADU | City-reviewed designs intended to speed up permitting. |
| Yorba Linda | Preapproved ADU Program | Pre-vetted designs intended to shorten the permitting process. |
| Temecula | Permit-Ready ADU (PRADU) | Free pre-designed plans; submittal and building fees still apply. Note: Temecula bans short-term rentals citywide, including ADUs. |
| Murrieta | Pre-Approved ADU Program (IB-113) | Vendor pre-approved plans to expedite permitting; note impact fees scale with your home's size above 750 sq ft. |
| Santa Monica | Preapproved Standard ADU Plans (AB 1332) | Detached-only; the approved-vendor list currently shows none at this time — confirm what's available before relying on the catalog. |
| Upland | Free permit-ready plans | Free, permit-ready detached ADU plans at set sizes (e.g., 440/484/741 sq ft), plus a dedicated homeowner resource at uplandadu.org. |
| Menifee | Permit-Ready ADU (PRADU) | Eight pre-reviewed, code-compliant plans with customizable exterior finishes, pre-approved by the Building Division for a streamlined permit. |
Program catalogs change as designers submit new plans — confirm the current catalog and any program fees directly with the city before committing to a plan. Cities not listed here must still offer the AB 1332 preapproval pathway; ask your planning counter what's available.
What a pre-approved plan does and doesn't save you
It saves design time and plan-review time — often the one-to-three-month architectural phase and weeks of city back-and-forth. It doesn't skip site-specific review: your lot still has to accommodate the plan's footprint within setbacks, and site work, utilities, and foundations are still engineered for your property. It also constrains your layout to the catalog — if you want a custom design, the standard process still applies. Our construction timeline guide shows where these savings land in the overall schedule.
How to use a pre-approved plan — 5 steps
- Browse the city's posted catalog — AB 1332 requires approved plans to be listed on the city website with designer contacts.
- Check plan fit against your lot — footprint, setbacks (state floor is 4 ft side/rear), and height. Our size & setback calculator shows the state minimums.
- Contact the plan's designer — you'll typically license the plan and may pay for site-specific adaptation.
- Prepare the site plan and submittal — the preapproved architecture doesn't include your site plan, utility routing, or Title 24 documentation for your orientation.
- Submit and track the 30-day clock — a complete preapproved-plan application must be acted on within 30 days.
Sources
- AB 1332 — Accessory dwelling units: preapproved plans (California Legislative Information) — accessed July 19, 2026
- Long Beach Pre-Approved ADU Program (longbeach.gov) — accessed July 19, 2026
- Anaheim ADU Express Process (anaheim.net) — accessed July 19, 2026
- Anaheim Pre-Approved Plan Catalogue (anaheim.net) — accessed July 19, 2026
Frequently asked questions
No. Preapproval covers the building design, not your parcel. Your application can still require corrections for site-specific issues — setbacks, utilities, easements, fire access. It shortens review; it doesn't remove it.
Usually the design phase costs less than fully custom architecture, and faster review saves carrying costs. Construction cost is largely unchanged — the building still gets built the same way. Cities may charge their normal permit fees.
Under AB 1332, every California jurisdiction must offer a preapproval pathway since January 1, 2025, but catalog depth varies widely. Ask your planning department what plans, if any, are currently posted.