Pre-Approved & Permit-Ready ADU Plans
Official city and county plan resources gathered in one place—plus the important limits homeowners should understand before selecting a design.
A faster design path—not a permit in a box
Pre-approved plans can reduce architectural work and shorten part of the building review. They do not remove the need for a site plan, utility coordination, grading and drainage review, energy documentation, fire requirements, coastal review where applicable, or a building permit.
Your property address—not your mailing city—determines the agency that reviews the project. Some North County addresses are in an unincorporated County area.
North County plan resources
Status was checked against official government pages on August 24, 2026. City programs change; always confirm availability before relying on a plan.
County of San Diego
Six downloadable ADU/SFD plan sets from 600 to 1,200 square feet for unincorporated County properties. The County says the plans are approximately 85% complete and require project-specific information.
City of Encinitas
The PRADU program includes city-prepared and privately prepared plan options. A site-specific plan is still required; grading, coastal, fire, geotechnical and utility items can also apply.
City of Vista
Vista’s official program advertises ten free, pre-approved detached ADU plans. The City notes that plan-check fees are waived when using the plans, while permit and inspection fees still apply. Confirm the current code-cycle status with Building.
City of San Marcos
City-provided plans are for detached, one-story ADUs. Applicants add site-specific information and separate items such as roof-truss and solar documents. San Marcos says alterations to its plan sets are not accepted.
City of Escondido
Four official PAADU plan sets are listed: 484, 644, 851 and 1,000 square feet, with configurations ranging from a studio/one-bedroom to two- or three-bedroom options.
City of Del Mar
Del Mar provides three public-use floor plans and CAD files at 446, 793 and 955 square feet. The City clearly states these are sample floor plans—not complete construction drawings.
City of Carlsbad
Carlsbad created four floor plans in three architectural styles. Its official page currently says the sets are being updated for the 2025 California Building Codes and are unavailable while that update is completed.
City of Oceanside
Oceanside operates a vendor-submitted pre-approved plan program, but its official library currently states that no vendors have submitted a plan for review. Site plans, grading, drainage and utilities remain site-specific.
City of Poway
Poway has a formal plan pre-approval policy, but its official policy states that the City has not yet received an application for pre-approval. Future vendor plans will be posted by the City.
City of Solana Beach
Solana Beach’s official Planning page provides current ADU regulations, a submittal guide and a PADU processing guide for plan preparers. It does not currently display a homeowner plan library.
How to use a pre-approved plan
Verify city limits, zoning, overlays, fire zone and whether the property is in the Coastal Zone.
Check setbacks, access, grade, drainage, utility routes, easements and usable building area.
Choose a current plan that fits the lot without changes that would trigger a full custom review.
Add site-specific documents, apply for permits, answer corrections, and coordinate construction.
Does a standard plan fit your property?
Standard West Builders can review access, site conditions, finish expectations and utility assumptions, then help connect the plan choice to a realistic construction budget.