Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

Monterey vs Monterey County ADU fees: Monterey $0–$9,098 vs Monterey County $0–$5,380 in modeled fees for 1,000 sq ft, before building permits in both

Modeled from each place’s official fee schedules for a detached ADU next to a 2,000 sq ft main home (example assumption), law in force today. Ranges count fees that always apply (low) and fees that may apply (high). Not like for like: Monterey: Totals leave out permit fees until you enter a construction valuation and valuation-based building fees and general plan fee, fire department review of building plans at some sizes. Monterey County: Totals leave out permit fees until you enter a construction valuation, and area-specific impact fees and valuation-based building fees and plan check: new adu up to 750 sq ft, plan check: adu over 750 sq ft at some sizes.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	Monterey	Monterey County	Lower
499 sq ft	$0–$3,718	$0	Monterey County by $3,718
750 sq ft	$0–$7,753	$0–$4,035	Monterey County by $3,718
1,000 sq ft	$0–$9,098	$0–$5,380	Monterey County by $3,718
1,200 sq ft	$0–$10,174	$0–$6,456	Monterey County by $3,718

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	Monterey	Monterey County
Planning & zoning	Needs valuation	Needs valuation
Building permit & plan check	Needs valuation	Needs valuation
School district fee	$0–$5,380	$0–$5,380
Utility connections	$0–$3,718	–
Impact fees under SB 1117 (from 2027)	$0	$0
ADU permits issued, 2025	144	61

Line-by-line figures with the quoted source text: Monterey · Monterey County. Permits: HCD Annual Progress Report data.

Rules side by side

	Monterey	Monterey County
Maximum size	State floor: cities must allow at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms); detached ADUs can be capped at 1,200 sq ft.	State floor: cities must allow at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms); detached ADUs can be capped at 1,200 sq ft.
Height	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.
Setbacks	State limit: no more than 4 ft side and rear.	State limit: no more than 4 ft side and rear.
Parking	State limit: at most 1 space per ADU or bedroom, and none within ½ mile of transit and in other cases.	State limit: at most 1 space per ADU or bedroom, and none within ½ mile of transit and in other cases.
Owner occupancy	State law: cities can't require the owner to live on site for an ADU (JADUs: owner on site if sanitation is shared).	State law: cities can't require the owner to live on site for an ADU (JADUs: owner on site if sanitation is shared).
Pre-approved plans	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).

Grey text is the state floor where we haven’t captured the local rule yet.

Itemize Monterey Itemize Monterey County All places

FAQ

Monterey vs Monterey County: questions

Are ADU fees higher in Monterey or Monterey County?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives Monterey $0–$9,098 and Monterey County $0–$5,380. Monterey: Totals leave out permit fees until you enter a construction valuation and valuation-based building fees and general plan fee, fire department review of building plans at some sizes. Monterey County: Totals leave out permit fees until you enter a construction valuation, and area-specific impact fees and valuation-based building fees and plan check: new adu up to 750 sq ft, plan check: adu over 750 sq ft at some sizes.

Which charges more impact fees on an ADU, Monterey or Monterey County?

At 1,000 sq ft: Monterey $0, Monterey County $0 (proportional to a 2,000 sq ft house). Neither can charge impact fees at 750 sq ft or less. From 2027, SB 1117 limits them to the area over 750 sq ft: $0 and $0 in our model.

What does a 750 sq ft ADU cost in fees in each?

Monterey: $0–$7,753. Monterey County: $0–$4,035. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

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