Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

Salinas vs Monterey ADU fees: Salinas $7,797–$13,177 vs Monterey $0–$9,098 in modeled fees for 1,000 sq ft, before building permits in Monterey

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: Salinas: Totals leave out Monterey One Water sewer fees. 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.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	Salinas	Monterey	Lower
499 sq ft	$4,968	$0–$3,718	Monterey by $1,250
750 sq ft	$6,716–$10,751	$0–$7,753	Monterey by $2,998
1,000 sq ft	$7,797–$13,177	$0–$9,098	Monterey by $4,079
1,200 sq ft	$8,670–$15,126	$0–$10,174	Monterey by $4,952

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	Salinas	Monterey
Planning & zoning	$1,702	Needs valuation
Building permit & plan check	$6,095	Needs valuation
Impact fees	$0	–
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	208	144

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

Rules side by side

	Salinas	Monterey
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 Salinas Itemize Monterey All places

FAQ

Salinas vs Monterey: questions

Are ADU fees higher in Salinas or Monterey?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives Salinas $7,797–$13,177 and Monterey $0–$9,098. Salinas: Totals leave out Monterey One Water sewer fees. 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.

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

At 1,000 sq ft: Salinas $0, Monterey $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?

Salinas: $6,716–$10,751. Monterey: $0–$7,753. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

By project type

Specific projects

More comparisons