Placentia, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

Section 23.73.070(2) of the Placentia Municipal Code opens with the words "Notwithstanding any fee resolution to the contrary," which means the City Council's fee schedule cannot override it. Subsection (A) says no impact fee is imposed on any accessory dwelling unit less than 750 square feet in size. Subsection (B) says that for units of 750 square feet or greater, impact fees are charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling. Subsection (C) requires all applicable public service and recreation impact fees to be paid before occupancy, in accordance with Government Code Sections 66000 et seq. and 66012 et seq. Subsection (D) borrows the state definition of impact fee from Government Code Section 66324(c)(2).

Impact fees are only one layer of cost. Section 23.73.050(1) separately requires the applicant to pay all fees the city council sets by resolution, including staff review, permit and inspection fees. Utility charges follow their own rule in Section 23.73.060(2)(J). An ADU contained within an existing single-family home or an existing accessory structure that qualifies for mandatory approval cannot be required to install a new or separate utility connection, and the city cannot impose a connection fee or capacity charge. Those requirements can be imposed when the ADU is proposed with a new single-family home. Every other ADU needs a new or separate utility connection and pays a connection fee or capacity charge proportionate to the burden of the unit, measured by square footage or the number of drainage fixture units.

Section 23.73.070(4)(E) bars impact fees and connection or capacity charges on a homeowner who applies to permit an unpermitted ADU or junior accessory dwelling unit built before January 1, 2020, except when utility infrastructure is needed to comply with Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 and authorized by Government Code Section 66324(e). Section 23.73.090(8) adds that a junior accessory dwelling unit is not treated as a separate or new dwelling unit when applying a connection fee.