Planning a New ADU

ADU Plans, Drafting & Design Coordination

Understanding what plans your ADU needs, and coordinating with the licensed professionals who prepare them.

Important: Legal ADU Pro is not a licensed architecture or engineering firm and does not prepare, stamp, or submit architectural or structural plans ourselves. We provide general information and coordination assistance, and help connect homeowners with independent licensed architects, engineers, or drafters when stamped plans or specialized drawings are required.
Plans, Drafting & Design

What ADU Plans, Drafting & Design Coordination Involves

Most new ADU projects need some combination of a site plan, floor plan, and elevations before they can be submitted for permits. What's required depends on the project and the reviewing jurisdiction. "Plans," "drafting," and "design" typically refer to the same general set of documents and decisions — this page covers all three.

Legal ADU Pro helps homeowners understand what type of plans their project is likely to need and coordinates with independent licensed professionals who prepare them. We do not draft or design plans ourselves.

What Legal ADU Pro Helps Coordinate

  • Understanding what type of plans your project is likely to need
  • Gathering existing property and site information ahead of design
  • Coordinating with independent licensed architects, engineers, or drafters for stamped plans when required
  • Organizing documentation ahead of permit submittal

What Typically Requires a Licensed Professional

  • Stamped architectural or structural plans, when required
  • Structural engineering calculations
  • Energy compliance documentation, when applicable
  • Surveys or soils reports, depending on the project and site

Whether any of the above are required for your project depends on its scope and the reviewing jurisdiction's requirements. Legal ADU Pro helps identify what's likely needed and helps coordinate with the appropriate independent licensed professionals — we are not that licensed professional ourselves.

Coordinate Your ADU Plans

Legal ADU Pro can help you understand what plans, drafting, or design coordination your project typically needs.

Request a Property Review →
New ADU Hub

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Need Permit Coordination Next?

Once plans are underway, see what's involved in coordinating permit submittal for a new ADU.

ADU Permit Coordination →
FAQ

Questions About ADU Plans, Drafting & Design

What plans do I need for an ADU?

Most projects need some combination of a site plan, floor plan, and elevations, and some require stamped structural or energy-compliance documents. Exactly what's required depends on your project's scope and the reviewing jurisdiction — an individual review helps clarify what applies to you.

Does Legal ADU Pro draft or design my ADU plans directly?

No. Legal ADU Pro is not a licensed architecture or engineering firm. We help you understand what plans your project needs and coordinate documentation, and we connect you with independent licensed architects, engineers, or drafters when stamped plans or specialized drawings are required.

What's the difference between ADU plans, drafting, and design?

These terms generally overlap and refer to the same underlying documents — site plans, floor plans, elevations, and related drawings — prepared by a licensed or qualified professional depending on what the reviewing jurisdiction requires.

Do I need a licensed architect or engineer for my ADU?

Often, yes, depending on the scope of the project and the requirements of the reviewing jurisdiction. Legal ADU Pro helps identify when licensed professionals are likely needed and can help coordinate with them — we do not perform that licensed work ourselves.

Ready to Coordinate Your ADU Plans?

Request an initial property review and understand what plans, drafting, or design coordination your new ADU project typically needs.

Request a Property Review → Call 310-570-2885