Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)

Updated: Mar. 10, 2023

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are defined as complete independent dwelling units that have permenant provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are semi-independant dwelling units no larger than 500 square-feet within a portion of an existing or proposed single-family home such as a garage, great room, home office, etc. All ADU and JADU permits shall be submitted directly though the Hayward e-Permit Portal . All projects are reviewed for complaince with applicable California State Codes and California State Law. Check out our ADU Checklists and FAQ in Handouts for more information. 

Submitting an Application:

  1. Contact a City of Hayward Planner: Contact a planner by emailing planning.division@hayward-ca.gov or calling (510) 583-4216 to determine if the project site is eligible for an Adu and application submittal materials. Please include the project address and a detailed description of your project.
  2. Register for an e-Permit Portal account: You must be a registered user of the Hayward e-Permit Portal before you can submit your application. Learn more about how to register on our e-Permit Portal help page.
  3. Apply for your Plan Type: Using the e-Permit Portal, apply for your permit by completing the online application and attaching the required submittal materials. Learn more about how to apply for a permit on our e-Permit Portal help page.

Required Submittal Materials:

The submittal items below are required for this project type. Please note additional submittal items may be required depending on the project scope. 

  • Construction Documents: Construction documents including a site plan, floor plan, elevations (existing and proposed), sections, details, T-24 energy report. Plans shall be formatted on standard architectural sheets: 18” x 24” or 24” x 36”. All sheets in the set shall be the same size. T-24 energy forms shall be scanned onto the sheets. Structural calculations, if required, can be submitted separately. All plans shall meet professional drafting standards.
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit Checklist: A complete checklist for the applicable project type ( Single-Family Residence ADU, Single-Family Residence JADU or Multi-Family ADU) (See Checklists in Handouts)
  • Property Legal Description: A copy of the property legal description typically found on the Property's Title Report or Grant Deed (Only required for JADUs)
  • Owner Authorization Form: Only required if the applicant is not the property owner. (See Owner Authorization Form in Handouts)

Project Review:

Applicants will be notified by email or can login to the e-Permit Portal for updates on their application. Standard review times are available to view online via our E-Permit Portal. 

Paying Fees:

A Plan Review Fee is due prior to project review. All other permits fees are due when the permits are ready for issuance. There is a detailed list of specific development fees on our Permit Center webpage. After submitting your application, staff will reach out with instructions to complete the required payment.

 

Note: If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday shall be observed as a holiday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday. If Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, the holiday shall be observed on the previous Friday.

Download the holiday schedule

e-Permit Type: 
Residential
Building
Is this available in the e-Permit Portal: 
VISIT THE E-PERMITS PORTAL
e-Permits Portal
E-PERMITS PORTAL HELP CENTER

Step-by-step videos and how-to documents in one convenient location!

NEED ADDITIONAL E-PERMITS HELP? EMAIL:

e-permits@hayward-ca.gov

 

e-Permits Help
⚠️ Attention ⚠️

Formal processing of applications submitted online will not begin until submittal requirements have been verified and payment has been received.

Within five business days, staff will verify that your application includes all required submittal documents and information needed for processing. If not, you will receive an email identifying additional submittal documents that are needed. Formal processing of your application will not begin until submittal requirements have been verified and payment has been received.

In the event you’d like assistance submitting your application and/or confirmation of the required submittal documents, please visit the City’s Permit Center, 1st Floor of Hayward City Hall, during normal business hours from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday thru Thursday. OR you can contact Permit Center at (510) 583-4005 to request an appointment outside of normal Permit Center hours.

The Permit Center is closed to the public on Fridays and no in-person appointments will be available on this day.

e-Permits Help center