Fresno reviews ADU applications ministerially through the Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Development (DARM/Planning) under FMC Section 15-2754, consistent with California Government Code Β§65852.2. Plan review is local; the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sets statewide minimum standards but does not review individual Fresno permits.
Under FMC 15-2754, an ADU permit in Fresno requires a building permit only β no public hearing, no discretionary review, and no Conditional Use Permit. Applications go through the Development Services Division (Planning, Building, and Public Utilities review concurrently). Fresno offers five pre-approved ADU plans (340 sf studio up to 1,015 sf 3-bedroom, with Craftsman, Contemporary, and Gable elevations) which shorten plan review by skipping structural and architectural re-review. State law caps local processing at 60 days once the application is complete. SB 9 (Gov. Code Β§Β§65852.21 and 66411.7) lets eligible single-family lots split into two parcels and add up to two units per parcel, but Fresno applies its objective design standards from the Development Code. AB 1033 (2023) allows cities to opt in to ADU condo-ization; Fresno has not adopted an opt-in ordinance as of this writing, so ADUs cannot be sold separately from the primary unit. Fire sprinklers may be required if the primary dwelling has them or if the ADU is near combustible construction.
Building an ADU without a permit is a Fresno Municipal Code violation enforced by Code Enforcement Division under FMC Chapter 10, with citations, stop-work orders, and required removal or retroactive permitting at the owner's cost. Penalties under FMC Section 1-308 reach up to $1,000 per day per violation for infractions and misdemeanors.
Fresno, CA
Fresno does not regulate decorative lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round yard decorations on private property. Property maintenance standards in FMC Chapt...
Fresno, CA
Fresno does not specifically regulate residential inflatable holiday displays. There is no size cap, lighting curfew, or fan-noise limit specific to inflatab...
Fresno, CA
Fresno does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential holiday light displays. Display dates, brightness, and decorative content are not regulated ...
Fresno, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Fresno require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits under FMC Chapter 11 (Building Regulations), which adopts the Cal...
Fresno, CA
Fresno does not have a specific ordinance regulating backyard smokers or wood-fired ovens by time of day. Use is governed by the general nuisance provisions ...
Fresno, CA
Fresno enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in FMC Chapter 10, Article 5 (Fire Prevention). Under CFC Β§308.1.4 (the California amended version ...
See how Fresno's adu permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.