Council approves ADU standard plans contract, directs city to make final designs free to homeowners

The Redlands City Council on Tuesday approved a professional-services agreement with RRM Design Group to create pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) standard plans and directed staff to make the final ADU plans available to homeowners at no charge.

Planning staff said the $142,990 contract will produce four architectural styles (Craftsman, California Ranch, Contemporary and Mid‑Century Modern) and three primary unit types (studio, one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom), producing multiple combinations intended for common lot types in Redlands. Staff described the work as a task included in the city’s certified housing element (Program 162) and said the finished plans should reduce barriers and speed permitting for homeowners seeking to add ADUs.

During council questions, staff said building-permit application fees would still apply, and that ADUs up to 750 square feet are exempt from development-impact fees; larger units pay a proportionate fee. Staff estimated impact fees for a maximum-size (1,200 sq. ft.) ADU could be on the order of several thousand dollars (staff cited figures in the low thousands to around $8,000 depending on size and services required).

Council Member Tejeda asked for clarification on fees and utility connections; staff said ADUs connect to existing utilities but units under 750 sq. ft. do not pay a proportionate development-impact fee. The council’s motion to approve the agreement and to make the ADU standard plans available to the public at no cost passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Pre‑approved ADU plans are intended to lower the time and cost barriers for homeowners who want to add rental or family housing on existing lots, supporting the city’s housing element goals and potentially increasing the city’s annual ADU permitting rate.

Key details: The agreement scope includes four architectural styles and four floor‑plan templates; staff estimated the design work could produce hundreds of selectable combinations when alternate roof and exterior treatments are added. The contract term runs through December 31 of the year listed in the staff report; the not‑to‑exceed amount is $142,990.

Next steps: Staff will complete design work under the RRM agreement and prepare the final ADU standard plans for public release at no cost, as directed by the council. Staff will continue to collect permit fees and manage required utility connections per existing city fee schedules.