Pre-Approved ADU Program (PRADU)

In conformance with the provisions of Government Code Section 65852.27, the City of Wildomar has established a program for Pre-Approval for Design for ADUs.

Through this program, designers can submit construction documents for review to be part of the City of Wildomar’s Pre-Approved ADU Design Program (PRADU). After approval by the applicable City staff, the pre-approved construction documents will be made available for use by property owners/applicants within the City of Wildomar. All pre-approved ADU plans will be featured on the City’s website, along with all the contact information of the design professional, to help connect designers with homeowners interested in adding a detached ADU to their property. The designer maintains the copyright to their pre-approved design. Any homeowner/applicant wishing to use an approved design must contract with the designers directly. The pre-approved plans are only about 80% complete and will always require property-specific modifications. In addition to the building plans, site-specific land use information will also need to be completed. Once the property owner selects a pre-approved ADU plan, they will work directly with that design professional to prepare construction documents representing their site-specific factors.

1. Building Permit Application:

The City utilizes one building permit application. The application can be found at https://www.wildomar.gov/158/Building-Safety-Department

  • For designers wishing to have their plans pre-approved, add this rhetoric to the project description on the application (pre-approval requested)
  • For designers as well as applicants reusing the pre-approved ADU plans, include “site-specific review” within the project description

2. Applicable Fees:

The appropriate plan check fee, as adopted by the resolution of the City Council, will be calculated for both the pre-approval of plans and the site-specific review.  The plan check fee must be paid prior to any review of the plans. You may contact one of the building department technicians for an estimated cost of the plan check. You may obtain more information at https://www.wildomar.gov/158/Building-Safety-Department

3.  Pre-Approval Process

  1. The designer submits the plans to the city (see submittal requirements below) along with an application and applicable fees.
  2. City staff reviews the submitted plans and provides comments either approving or denying (no longer than 60 days).
  3. The designer resubmits plans until approved (could be multiple rounds).
  4. City staff also prepares a checklist of additional information, plans, and documents that may be needed.
  5. The city posts plans, checklists, and the designer's contact information (as provided) on Its website. The city may remove a preapproved accessory dwelling unit plan from its website within 30 days of receiving a request for removal from the applicant.
  6. Posting a pre-approved ADU plan shall not be considered an endorsement of the designer.

4. Reusing the plans (site-specific phase)

  1. The designer and/or applicant applies for a building permit (application and applicable fees) and submits plans for a specific address, adding site-specific information and additional documentation (i.e., water and/or sewer will serve letter from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) or approval from Riverside County Department of Environmental Health for wells and septic systems)
  2. City reviews site-specific aspects of plans and provides comments either approving or denying (no longer than 30 days)
  3. Designer resubmits plans until they are approved.
  4. City staff issues a building permit.
  5. City staff conducts building inspections during the construction phase.

5. Submittal Requirements

  • Designers must submit the following with the application for pre-approval of ADU designs: a Cover sheet. Provide the scope of work, project address, location map, flood zone, fire zones, type of construction, square footage, occupancy classification(s), area calculations, fire sprinkler equipped yes/no, deferred submittals, applicable codes, information of owner, designer, and contractor, and sheet index.
  • Architectural Plans: Site/Plot plan, existing construction, demolition plan, new construction, floor plans, exiting plans, door schedules, equipment schedules, accessibility upgrades- accessible path of travel (if applicable), details and sections, elevations and finishes, and roof plan.
    • Site/Plot Plan: The project's location in the city, location of the structure within the lot, setback dimensions, easements, north arrow, relationship to other structures, floor level, room name, or numbers must be included on the site/plot plan.
    • Floor Plan: Room dimensions, wall, door, and window locations and sizes, room designations, existing, demolition, and proposed construction, location of smoke detectors, CO alarms, fire exiting signage and equipment (if applicable)
    • Elevation Plan: Orthographic projections drawing with all sides of the house/ADU, identification of the specific side of the building, grade lines, vertical height dimensions of all features, finished floor and ceiling levels, location of exterior wall corners, windows and doors, roof features, porches, decks and patios, material symbols.
  • Structural Plans: Details for construction of the foundation, framing, roof framing plan, identify the location of sections and all construction details
    • Foundation Plan: Footings; foundation walls; piers and columns; beams and pilasters; direction, size, and spacing of floor joists/trusses (Foundations shall match the existing construction for additions.)
    • Framing Plan: Size, number, spacing, location, methods, and construction details of the structural members to support all loads. Floor framing such as joists, girders, and columns; Wall framing openings and ceiling heights; and Rafters including span and slope.
    • Details: large-scale drawings with details, dimensions, tolerances, notation, symbols, and specification information of building and their components.
  • Mechanical Plans: Cal-Green requires Heating & Cooling Systems to be designed.
  • Electrical Plans: Show the location of all receptacles, lights, motors, switches, disconnects, panels, services, transformer, Gensets, single line diagram showing conduit/conductor size and insulation type, exit signs & emergency lighting (if applicable). Include a panel schedule showing all new and existing loads, load calculation, building service size, and grounding/bonding.
  • Plumbing Plans: Provide isometric plans for waste/vent, type of piping material, location of gas lines, water supply lines, sewer/septic line, water heaters with size and input BTU rating, gas line schematic, and calculation for sizing of pipe.
  • Designs shall include options for exterior finish materials to ensure architectural compatibility with the primary dwelling unit and surrounding neighborhood per the WMC.
  • Structural Calculations, as applicable.
  • Title 24 energy documents/calculations.
  • Truss Calculations Floor/Roof.
  • Civil Plans: Show all site work, grading, storm drainage, and utilities
  • Landscape Plans: Details and Tree Protection
  • California Green Building Code with Checklist on plans: Denote where all mandatory requirements are met on the plans.
  • Door/ window schedule: Identify and coordinate all “Egress” doors/windows onto the floor plan.
  • Soils Report
  • Other drawings as requested by the Chief Building Official.

6.  Application of Building Code Requirements

  1. The Building Division will review the plans to ensure they meet the California Building Codes, Title 24, and any additional City of Wildomar Municipal Code requirements.
  2. Due to the 3-year building code cycle, the pre-approval expires at the end of the building code cycle.

7. Amendment

The Community Development Director/ Planning Manager or the Chief Building Official may occasionally amend the program. The most current version will be posted on the City’s website.