Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

San Francisco vs Oakland ADU fees: San Francisco $0–$5,380 vs Oakland $5,170 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: San Francisco: Totals leave out dbi building permit and plan review fees. Oakland: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	San Francisco	Oakland	Lower
499 sq ft	$0	$0	$0
750 sq ft	$0–$4,035	$3,878	Oakland by $158
1,000 sq ft	$0–$5,380	$5,170	Oakland by $210
1,200 sq ft	$0–$6,456	$6,204	Oakland by $252

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	San Francisco	Oakland
Building permit & plan check	Needs valuation	Needs valuation
Impact fees	$0	–
School district fee	$0–$5,380	$5,170
Impact fees under SB 1117 (from 2027)	$0	$0
ADU permits issued, 2025	171	192

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

Rules side by side

	San Francisco	Oakland
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 program detached ADU: 16 ft, or 18 ft near transit or on a lot with a multifamily building (+2 ft for roof pitch). Attached: 25 ft or the primary dwelling's limit, whichever is lower.	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.
Setbacks	New construction: 4 ft side and rear. None when replacing an existing structure at the same dimensions.	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).
Deed restriction	State-program ADUs: no deed restriction. Local-program ADUs need a Costa-Hawkins regulatory agreement and a recorded deed restriction.	Not captured yet.

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

Itemize San Francisco Itemize Oakland All places

FAQ

San Francisco vs Oakland: questions

Are ADU fees higher in San Francisco or Oakland?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives San Francisco $0–$5,380 and Oakland $5,170. San Francisco: Totals leave out dbi building permit and plan review fees. Oakland: Totals leave out valuation-based building fees.

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

At 1,000 sq ft: San Francisco $0, Oakland $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?

San Francisco: $0–$4,035. Oakland: $3,878. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

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