The Solana Beach ADU permit process

Solana Beach runs ADU permits by email, and the June 2025 Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025) lists exactly what to send.

Steps

1. Obtain the approval letter from the California Coastal Commission (see coastal approval).
2. Email the building permit application, plan PDF and Coastal Commission letter to counter@cosb.org (large files get an upload link).
3. The Building Permit Technician invoices plan check and address assignment fees.
4. After payment, plans route electronically to Planning, Building, Engineering and Fire, and to the landscape reviewer if needed.
5. Planning assigns the ADU's new address in first review; add it to the plans.

The plan set

• Title sheet and site plan, with FAR, grading quantities, landscape area and parking tables
• Floor plans with kitchen specs and FAR shading
• Demolition plan, elevations, at least two sections, roof plan
• Landscape plan if over 500 sq ft
• Topographic plan by a civil engineer or land surveyor at 2 ft contours; drainage study possibly
• Storm water checklist and SWQMP
• Waste management plan if valuation is $100,000 or more

Timing under state law

Under Gov. Code §66317, a city must approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days.

Walkthrough

1. Get the Coastal Commission approval letter; the city asks for it with the application.
2. Email the building permit application, a PDF plan set and the coastal letter to counter@cosb.org.
3. The Building Permit Technician invoices plan check and address assignment fees, based on scope, size and valuation.
4. After payment, plans route electronically to Planning, Building, Engineering and Fire, plus the third-party landscape reviewer if a landscape package is required.
5. Planning assigns the ADU's new address during first review; it then goes on the plans.

Engineering items

• Topographic plan by a civil engineer or land surveyor at 2 ft contours
• Possible drainage study for ADUs outside the existing footprint
• Pervious and impervious area table
• Storm Water checklist and SWQMP
• Waste Management Plan if valuation is $100,000 or more

Also checked Oct 14, 2026: Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025).

The 60-day clock

Complete applications are reviewed ministerially and decided within 60 days; incomplete ones are returned with what's missing. You can ask for a delay. With a new house, the ADU waits for the house approval, then gets 60 days.

Also checked Oct 14, 2026: SBMC §17.60.210(A) (Ord. 542, 2026).

Sources, checked Oct 14, 2026: Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025) · Gov. Code §66317.