Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit (PADU)

In accordance with Assembly Bill No. 1332 the Town of Moraga accepts applications from architects and designers (vendors) to “pre-approve” plans for detached ADUs. The Town of Moraga contracts with Contra Costa County for building permit services, however, the plans must first be approved by the Moraga Planning Department before they can be submitted to and reviewed by the Contra Costa County building department. Once approved by both the Town and County, they will be posted on the Town’s website and may be used throughout Moraga. Property owners will be able to view the PADU plans on the Town’s website and contact the vendors directly to purchase plan sets. For more information about the building permit review process, please visit the Contra Costa County PADU Webpage. 

To begin the process to have your plans approved as a PADU within Moraga, you must first submit an application to the Moraga Planning Department:

How to Submit your Application to the Moraga Planning Department 

1. Complete a General Planning Application.
2. Prepare plans in accordance with the PADU submittal checklist, Section II: Planning Review Requirements lists Moraga’s submission requirements. Please note the following:
   1. ADUs with a proposed interior living area of 800 square feet or less must meet the requirements of Moraga Municipal Code Section (MMC) §8.124.110.C for detached streamlined ADUs
   2. ADUs with a proposed interior living area exceeding 800 square feet (up to 1,000 square feet) must meet the requirements of MMC §8.124.130 and §8.124.140 for standard ADUs, excluding site specific requirements.
3. Complete the Applicant Authorization for Web Posting.
4. Submit the application and plans to planning@moraga.ca.us.
5. Pay the zoning clearance plan check fee and surcharge (FY2024/2025) $308.00, or $320.32 if paying by credit card). Once payment is made, the Planning Department can begin reviewing the plans.
6. Please note the following:
   • Once the plans have been approved by the Town, they will be stamped and returned to the vendor, who then must submit them to the Contra Costa County Building Department. The County will contact the Town of Moraga once the plans have been approved.
   • Any revisions will require separate approval.
   • Preapprovals are effective within the current triennial California Building Standards Code rulemaking cycle. 
   • Applicants using preapproved ADU plans will still need to secure planning and building permits, including, but not limited to; site plan, foundation plan and details, geotechnical investigation report (if needed), and compliance with fire and other safety requirements.

Approved PADU Plans 

Town approved PADU Plans will be posted once available. 

UPDATE: The ADU Accelerator Program will expire on March 15, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to this date.

ADU Accelerator Program 

Section 19.564(B)(36) of the Budget Act of 2023 provides $2,500,000 to be allocated to select cities in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties to encourage the production of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to help address California's housing crisis. 

To address the housing crisis, 15 East Bay cities of the San Francisco Bay Area (including the Town of Moraga) are joining a new ADU incentive program led by State Senator Steve Glazer (District 7). This program offers individual rebates of up to $7,500 for new ADUs and up to $15,000 for units deed-restricted to low-income households for the minimum period of 20 years. 

Amount of Rebates Awarded (Based on the following Scale):

Low-Income Restricted ADUs  

Provide individual rebates of up to $15,000 to property owners who obtain building permits to construct an ADU and receive a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of issuance. Rebates will be provided for units that are deed restricted to low-income households for a minimum of 20 years (see Town Regulatory Agreement). Rebates are based on the scale above.

Non-Restricted ADUs  

Provide individual rebates of up to $7,500 to property owners who obtain building permits to construct an ADU and receive a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of issuance. Rebates are based on the scale above. 

Available Funding for ADU Rebates

$18,885.63. Funding will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADU Accelerator Program Period 

The ADU Accelerator Program is available from June 26, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

How to Submit an ADU Accelerator Program Application

1. Complete the ADU Application and the ADU Accelerator Program Application. 
   • The ADU Application and ADU Accelerator Program Application can be found under our Application Forms here.
     • Email both applications to planning@moraga.ca.us, with the subject title: "ADU Accelerator Program Application Forms_[ADU Address]"
   • An online form for the ADU Accelerator Program Application can be found here.
     • Upload the additional file of the ADU Application.
   • An ADU Application must be submitted prior to applying for an ADU Accelerator Program Application. Both applications can be submitted at the same time. 
   • Please Note: Staff recommends that the property owner be the applicant to ensure that program funding is directed appropriately.
2. The Town of Moraga Planning Department will get back to you via email regarding further details for the ADU Accelerator Program Application. 
   • Check your email for a reply from the Town of Moraga, which will provide you with an assigned application number or notify if any information is missing. 
   • This email should arrive within 7 Calendar days. If your application is approved and an application number is assigned, your rebate amount will be reserved and issued to you once you receive final occupancy of the ADU.
3. Submit a copy of the Permit Documentation indicating the issuance of your ADU Building Permit from Contra Costa County Building Division.
   • ADU plans approved by the Town of Moraga Planning Department must be submitted by the applicant to the Contra Costa County Building Division to apply and obtain a building permit. 
   • Once the building permit is issued, email copy of the approved building permit documentation to: planning@moraga.ca.us
4. To receive your rebate, submit a copy of the Building Permit Final from Contra Costa County Building Division electronically to planning@moraga.ca.us. 
   • Once the ADU has been constructed and received a final inspection from Contra Costa County Building Division, the applicant must submit a copy of the Building Permit Final to the Planning Department in order to receive the rebate. 
5. Rebates will be issued via check payable to the Applicant.

Please Note

• Rebates will be issued if you meet all requirements and submit correct supporting documents online within the given timeframe above. 
• Only one rebate will be awarded per single-family residential lot / APN.
• Rebates are limited to individual homeowners, with one rebate allowed per individual or entity. 
• Rebates are limited to ADUs constructed on a permanent foundation with proper water and sewer connections. Mobile homes (e.g. trailer homes, recreational vehicles, and other structures on wheels) do not quality for this rebate program.
• We recommend rebate recipients to consult with a tax professional, ideally before accepting the rebate, to determine how it will impact your financial situation.  
• To promote smaller units, ADUs over 1,000 square feet are not eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the low-income restricted units, can these be used by a family member or friends staying rent free?

• Yes. If the unit is income-restricted, it can be used for family members or others without charging rent.

How would a jurisdiction know if the unit is rented for profit a few years later?

• This program assumes that jurisdictions will utilize the same mechanism they currently use to monitor income-restricted units in their communities.

How do we record deed restrictions for Low-Income Restricted ADUs?

• The Town provides a Regulatory Agreement which can be used to record the required deed restriction with Contra Costa County. The property owner shall provide evidence of such recording to the Town prior to the Town's final inspection. 

When is the latest I can apply for the ADU Accelerator Program?

• To be eligible for the ADU Accelerator Program, you must apply before your building permit is issued. If you obtained a building permit prior to applying, you will not qualify for a rebate.

Can I receive a rebate if I have already obtained a Certificate of Occupancy?  

• No. If you obtained a certificate of occupancy prior to applying for the program, you are ineligible for a rebate.  

Are all new ADUs eligible for this program?

• As the purpose of this program is to encourage the construction of smaller ADU units, there will be no rebates for units over 1,000 square feet.  

Any Further Questions?

Please contact the Town of Moraga Planning Department: planning@moraga.ca.us or (925)-888-7040.