ADU Impact Fees: Berkeley vs Sunol
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Sunol, CA?
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Under California Government Code 65852.2(f)(3) and BMC 23.304, Berkeley ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from all city impact fees. ADUs 750 square feet or larger pay impact fees proportional to the primary dwelling. Berkeley's permit fees themselves remain among the highest in the East Bay.
View full Berkeley rules →Sunol, CA
Alameda County
No data available yet for Sunol.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Sunol |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Gov. Code 65852.2(f)(3) | - |
| Sub-750 sq ft ADU | Exempt from all city impact fees | - |
| 750+ sq ft ADU | Proportional impact fees | - |
| Permit/Plan Check | ~$4,000-$8,000 (any size) | - |
| Housing Trust Fund Fee | Waived under 750 sq ft | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Are Berkeley ADUs charged impact fees?
ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from all city impact fees under California Government Code 65852.2(f)(3). This includes Berkeley's Housing Trust Fund Fee, Affordable Housing Mitigation Fee, and BUSD school fees. ADUs 750 sq ft and larger pay proportional fees.
What does a Berkeley ADU cost to permit?
Permit and plan-check fees typically run $4,000-$8,000 - among the highest in the East Bay due to Berkeley's detailed review including seismic, energy, accessibility, and historic resource review. ADUs under 750 sq ft skip all impact fees under state law.
Does Berkeley charge BUSD school fees on an ADU?
Only on ADUs 750 sq ft or larger, and even then proportional to the primary dwelling's size. Berkeley Unified School District's current rate is approximately $5.17/sq ft of residential. The state ADU fee exemption preempts collection on sub-750 sq ft units.
Sunol FAQ
No FAQs available.
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