The State ADU Program follows California law: review within 60 days of a complete application, no neighborhood notice and no discretionary review. The Local Program can allow more ADUs in larger buildings and offers some Planning Code waivers for existing buildings, but its units are subject to rent control. As of November 2026, Planning lays both out on its ADU page.
Side by side
| Topic | State Program | Local Program |
|---|---|---|
| Review | 60 days from complete application, Permit Review Roundtable | In-house Planning review |
| Neighborhood notice | No Section 311 notice, no discretionary review | Varies |
| JADUs | Allowed on single-family | Not offered |
| Units, 4 or fewer existing | Varies with state law | 1 ADU plus 1 detached ADU |
| Units, 5 or more existing | Varies with state law | Unlimited ADUs plus 1 detached ADU |
| Planning Code rules | Rear yard, exposure and similar need not be met | Waivers for existing buildings only |
| Rent control | State law prevents it for some ADUs | Units subject to rent control |
Extra Local Program steps
- A Notice of Addition of ADU(s) and a Declaration to the Rent Board before submitting.
- No ADUs on lots with an owner move-in eviction in the last 5 years, or other no-fault evictions in the last 10.
- Waivers may require a Costa-Hawkins regulatory agreement.
Which should I pick?
For a single-family home adding one unit, the State Program is often simpler. For a larger building or one going through seismic retrofit, the Local Program's unit counts can win. Ask us, or Planning at its ADU address, before design.
Sources, as of November 2026: San Francisco Planning, "Accessory Dwelling Units" (sfplanning.org/adu) and ADU programs comparison; Planning Director Bulletin No. 3. General information, not legal advice.
Updated November 2026