Design

Identify what you want in a design

Understand the design process and professionals involved
Learn about our Standard ADU plans
Hire a professional team to create your design

DESIGN RESOURCES

ADU Guidebook →

A step-by-step guide to building an ADU in Newport Beach

Pre-Approved ADU Plans →

ADU plans already reviewed by Planning & Building (coming soon!)

ADU Stories

PROJECT TIMELINE

Most ADU projects take 12-18 months to complete, but some extend to 24 months or more. The Design phase typically takes 1-6 months.

DESIGN FAQs

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about ADU design. See the content below and our ADU Guidebook for more guidance, resources, and tips for all steps of the process.

Most homeowners choose to work with some type of design professional to plan their ADU and help throughout the process. Bringing on a professional early in the process is often key to getting your ADU approved quickly, managed efficiently, and built cost-effectively. Relevant experience and fit will be critical.
There are a variety of types of designer, and they may be an architect, builder, “designer,” design/build, or a modular/prefab company. If you’re hiring a local individual or team, they’ll likely start the process by visiting your home and talking to you about your ideas and goals. If it seems like a good match, they will prepare a proposal detailing their services and fee. Professionals typically charge for an initial consultation or proposal.
Note that if you’re not using a licensed architect to design your ADU, your plans will need to be stamped by a licensed engineer.
See our ADU Exercises for a list of questions to ask a potential architect or designer, our Glossary to be clear on terms, and our Guidebook for more details.
COMING SOON! The City will soon be offering a selection of ADU plans that have already been approved for code compliance by the Planning and Building Divisions, bringing you one step closer to full approval (and saving you time and money). There will be three floor plan options available (two studios and one 1-bedroom) in three different architectural styles (see the following pages), plus plans for a 1-car or 2-car garage conversion. See ADU standard Plans for the most up-to-date details.
Once you have a design established with your architect/designer, it’s a great idea to discuss it with City staff so they can point out any issues before you prepare your application. You can visit the Permit Center during business hours or call to make an appointment (see details).
This is also a good time to reach out to utility agencies (water, sewer, gas, etc.) to inquire about their infrastructural requirements and confirm connection and service fees. ADUs do not require separate water and sewer connections, but you may need to upsize service and/or meters to meet capacity requirements.

DESIGNING YOUR ADU

Once you have a sense of what you want to build and what’s possible on your property and with your project budget, you can begin the process of designing your ADU, which begins with design inspiration and ends with permit-ready plans.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

It is helpful to have a clear sense of what you want early in the process. An architect or designer can help you brainstorm, but they cannot start designing until you’ve made fundamental decisions like the type of ADU you want (see Getting Started) and how many bedrooms it will have, etc. Our Exercises can help you think about these questions.

Consider our Standard ADU Plans

The City will is offering a selection of ADU plans that have already been approved for code compliance by the Planning and Building Divisions, bringing you one step closer to full approval (and saving you time and money). There will be three floor plan options available (two studios and one 1-bedroom) in three different architectural styles (see the following pages), plus plans for a 1-car or 2-car garage conversion.

See ADU Standard Plans for the most up-to-date details.

Newport Beach ADU Standard Plans
(Coming soon!)

Hire experienced professionals

You can build an ADU as an owner builder, but bringing on a professional early in the process is often key to getting your ADU approved quickly, managed efficiently, and built cost-effectively. Relevant experience and fit are critical, and it’s important to look at their past work and check references.

Your team may include one or more of the following:

Licensed architect or designer to design your ADU and potentially see you through permitting and construction
Contractor to build your ADU
Design/build company that designs and builds your ADU
Modular/prefab company who sells preset designs for modular/prefab homes

Our ADU Exercises include a list of questions to consider when hiring a team, and our Guidebook provides an overview on design contracts and costs.

ADU Exercises

Create initial design

Once you have your team in place, you will work with them to design your ADU. Together you will consider size, use, layout, specific project needs (storage, laundry room, etc.), architectural style, and privacy. If you decide to go with one of the City’s ADU Standard Plans, you will work to customize the plan to your property.

Once you have an initial design, it’s a good idea to discuss it with City staff so they can point out any issues before submitting your permit application. Your design team can attend this meeting to clarify drawings and help you understand requirements.

If you haven’t already, this is also a good time to reach out to utility service providers (water, sewer, gas, etc.) to confirm your design meets their requirements. ADUs do not require separate water and sewer connections, but you may need to upsize service and/or meters. See the Directory in our Guidebook for all relevant contact information.