ADU Impact Fees: Lincoln vs Rocklin
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Lincoln, CA and Rocklin, CA?
Lincoln and Rocklin have similar restriction levels.
Lincoln, CA
Placer County
Per Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f), Lincoln cannot charge impact fees on ADUs under 750 square feet. ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay impact fees charged proportionally to the square footage of the primary dwelling. Building permit fees still apply.
View full Lincoln rules →Rocklin, CA
Placer County
Rocklin's ADU impact fees follow Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3): ADUs with 750 sq ft or less of interior livable space are EXEMPT from all impact fees imposed by the City, special districts, school district, and water/sewer corporations. ADUs LARGER than 750 sq ft are charged impact fees 'proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit' — i.e., the ADU's fees are scaled by ADU sq ft divided by primary-dwelling sq ft. Rocklin publishes an ADU rate-category fee schedule ('How Are Fees Charged on Accessory Dwelling Units — Rate Categories') showing which fees apply by ADU size, available on the Building Division page. Rocklin's impact fee categories include traffic, drainage, park, public-facility, fire-facility, and school fees (Rocklin Unified / Placer Union HSD), plus Placer County Water Agency connection charges. JADUs (≤500 sq ft) fall under the under-750-sq-ft exemption and pay no impact fees.
View full Rocklin rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lincoln | Rocklin |
|---|---|---|
| Impact fee for ADU under 750 sq ft | $0 (waived) | - |
| Impact fee for ADU 750+ sq ft | Proportional to primary dwelling | - |
| Authority | Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f) | - |
| Building permit fees | Still apply | - |
| Pre-approved plans (661/746 sq ft) | Impact fees waived | - |
| Fee protest deadline | 90 days (Gov. Code §66020) | - |
| Under 750 sq ft | - | Exempt from all impact fees (Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A)) |
| Over 750 sq ft | - | Proportional fees = full fee x (ADU sq ft / primary sq ft) |
| JADU (≤500 sq ft) | - | No impact fees |
| Covered fees | - | City impact fees, school developer fees, PCWA water, sewer, parks, fire |
| Not covered | - | Building/plan-check/permit fees (still apply at all sizes) |
| Protest mechanism | - | Gov. Code §66020 protest within 90 days of fee imposition |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lincoln FAQ
How much will impact fees be for my Lincoln ADU?
If your ADU is under 750 sq ft, impact fees are zero by state law (Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A)). If 750 sq ft or larger, fees must be proportional to the primary dwelling's square footage.
Do Lincoln's pre-approved ADU plans qualify for the fee waiver?
Yes. Both AB 1332 pre-approved plans (661 sq ft 1BR and 746 sq ft 2BR) are under 750 sq ft and qualify for the impact fee waiver.
What if Lincoln charges me an impact fee on a small ADU?
You may protest under Cal. Gov. Code §66020 within 90 days of payment. Document the fee, request the city's authority for it in writing, and contact HCD if not resolved.
Rocklin FAQ
Do I owe school impact fees on my ADU?
Not if your ADU is 750 sq ft or smaller — Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A) waives school developer fees (Ed. Code §17620), water, sewer, traffic, parks, and all other impact fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
What if my ADU is 900 sq ft?
Impact fees are charged proportionally per Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(B): fee = (full per-unit fee) x (ADU sq ft ÷ primary dwelling sq ft). On a 2,500 sq ft house, a 900 sq ft ADU pays 36% of the per-unit fee.
Are building permit fees waived too?
No. Only 'impact fees' are waived. Building permit, plan-check, energy, and CalGreen fees are not impact fees and apply at any ADU size. Rocklin's Permit-Ready ADU Program reduces (but does not eliminate) plan-check fees.
How do I check Rocklin's specific fees?
Request a fee estimate at building@rocklin.ca.us, or review the City's 'How Are Fees Charged on Accessory Dwelling Units - Rate Categories' handout posted on rocklin.ca.us.
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