ADU Permit Guide:
Chino, CA
Everything you need to know about getting an ADU permit in Chino — timeline, fees, process, and what can go wrong. We handle all of this for you.
Everything you need to know about getting an ADU permit in Chino — timeline, fees, process, and what can go wrong. We handle all of this for you.
Two separate permit processes. City of Chino: Development Services at 13220 Central Ave, 6–10 weeks, $10,000–$18,000 in fees. City of Chino Hills: Planning Department at 14000 City Center Dr, 6–12 weeks (2–4 weeks longer due to Engineering Department hillside review), $12,000–$22,000 in fees. Neither city has adopted a pre-approved plan library fast-track. VHFHSZ parcels in Chino Hills require Chapter 7A fire-resistant construction documentation in the permit set — missing this creates an automatic plan check correction.
Jurisdiction confirmation (San Bernardino County parcel data), soil condition assessment for clay-adobe areas, HOA status for The Preserve, and utility service confirmation (CBWD or IEUA water, city sewer). These clearances happen before design fees are committed.
Complete City of Chino ADU permit package: architectural plans (site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections), structural engineering plans, Title 24 energy compliance, soils report (if indicated by soil assessment), completed Chino ADU application. Chapter 16.54 compliance documentation for any local design standards.
Standard City of Chino plan check. The Preserve HOA ARC submittal runs simultaneously. IEUA or CBWD connection application filed at permit submittal. City of Chino does not have a pre-approved plan library as of 2025.
City of Chino ADU permit fees: $10,000–$14,000 for 1BR; $13,000–$18,000 for 2BR. ADUs under 750 sf exempt from school district impact fees. IEUA/CBWD connection fees: $4,000–$7,500.
For Chino Hills hillside lots, geotechnical investigation precedes architectural design. A $3,500–$7,000 soils and slope stability report determines foundation type, retaining wall requirements, and grading scope. Ordering this at Week 1 keeps it from blocking design phase later. VHFHSZ fire zone status check is mandatory before design begins — Chapter 7A compliance must be incorporated into architectural plans from the start.
City of Chino Hills permit package includes everything in City of Chino's package PLUS: geotechnical report (for hillside lots), Chapter 7A fire-resistant construction specifications for VHFHSZ parcels, Engineering Department grading and drainage calculations for lots with slope, and Chino Hills Water District connection application. Plans without Chapter 7A documentation on VHFHSZ lots receive automatic first-round corrections — adding 4–6 weeks.
Chino Hills Planning Department conducts standard ADU review. Chino Hills Engineering Department conducts parallel hillside grading and drainage review — this is the 2–4 additional weeks vs. City of Chino. Both reviews run concurrently once the complete package is submitted. HOA ARC submittal for Butterfield Ranch, The Preserve, and other HOA-governed properties runs simultaneously with city review.
City of Chino Hills ADU permit fees: $12,000–$17,000 for 1BR; $15,000–$22,000 for 2BR. Among the highest in the service area — reflecting the higher complexity of hillside development review. ADUs under 750 sf: school district impact fee exemption applies. Chino Hills Water District connection fees: $4,500–$8,500. Geotechnical report: $3,500–$7,000 (separate from permit fees — a pre-design cost).
We've permitted through City of Chino Development Services and City of Chino Hills Planning Department. For Chino Hills hillside projects, we manage geotechnical coordination, Chapter 7A fire construction documentation, Engineering Department review, and HOA ARC simultaneously. The free consultation includes a permit process walkthrough specific to your parcel's city and lot conditions.
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