'Permit Ready Plans' for ADUs Published in Stockton, California

Cities looking to provide incentive for the construction of accessory dwelling units are increasingly released "permit ready plans" to help the cause.

2 minute read

October 12, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Stockton, California has announced permit ready plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the city. The permit ready plans were announced on the Stockton Economic Development Department's Twitter feed, with a link to a new website that helps residents through the process of permitting and building an ADU.

The city is offering three free floor plans to choose from, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, each including one bathtoom. " The ADU provides full facilities for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation," according to the city's ADU website. The city is allowing attached, detached, and converted ADUs—the latter includes spaces like garages and pool houses converted to ADU use.

The article and the Tweet both advocate for the benefits of ADU construction, primarily including the ability to add additional living space and to provide a source of rental income, depending on the specific needs and situations of homeowners.

Stockton's new permit ready plans were announced just a few weeks after Planetizen picked up news of a similar website and permitting system in the city of Seattle called ADUniverse.

Thursday, October 8, 2020 in City of Stockton

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

3 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.