Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

Oakland vs Berkeley ADU fees: Oakland $5,170 vs Berkeley $1,062–$6,442 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: Oakland: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees. Berkeley: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees and plan check, title 24 disabled access at some sizes.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	Oakland	Berkeley	Lower
499 sq ft	$0	$1,062	Oakland by $1,062
750 sq ft	$3,878	$1,062–$5,098	Oakland by $1,220
1,000 sq ft	$5,170	$1,062–$6,442	Oakland by $1,272
1,200 sq ft	$6,204	$1,062–$7,518	Oakland by $1,314

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	Oakland	Berkeley
Planning & zoning	–	$1,000
Building permit & plan check	Needs valuation	Needs valuation
School district fee	$5,170	$0–$5,380
Impact fees under SB 1117 (from 2027)	$0	$0
ADU permits issued, 2025	192	117

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

Rules side by side

	Oakland	Berkeley
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).	Not required for an ADU. With a JADU, the owner must live in the main home or the JADU.
Pre-approved plans	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).	A gallery of ADU designs pre-approved by the City; plan check for these is 50% of the regular fee.
Approval process	Not captured yet.	Ministerial building permit, no public hearing; approved ADU permits can't be appealed. Neighbors get a courtesy notice.

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

Itemize Oakland Itemize Berkeley All places

FAQ

Oakland vs Berkeley: questions

Are ADU fees higher in Oakland or Berkeley?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives Oakland $5,170 and Berkeley $1,062–$6,442. Oakland: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees. Berkeley: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees and plan check, title 24 disabled access at some sizes.

Which charges more impact fees on an ADU, Oakland or Berkeley?

At 1,000 sq ft: Oakland $0, Berkeley $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?

Oakland: $3,878. Berkeley: $1,062–$5,098. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

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