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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Chandler, Arizona

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Chandler are permitted on any single-family lot where a single-family dwelling is the principal use, subject to Chandler City Code Section 35-2202.2. A maximum of one attached and one detached ADU is allowed per lot. An ADU may not exceed 75% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. ADUs must use the same utility meters as the primary residence, have a separate and independent entrance, comply with front yard setbacks, and maintain minimum 5-foot rear and side yard setbacks. Exterior design must use stucco or EIFS wall cladding and a concrete tile roof with 4:12 slope (or match the primary dwelling's design). A building permit is required.

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Allowed on lots where a single-family dwelling is the principal use; maximum one attached + one detached ADU per lot (a second detached ADU may be permitted on lots of 1 acre or more if one ADU is deed-restricted as affordable)
  • ADU may not exceed 75% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less
  • Rear and side yard setbacks no less than 5 feet; must comply with front yard setbacks and building height limits of the zoning district
  • Must be served by the same water, sewer, and electric-utility providers and meters as the primary residence (separate meters not permitted)
  • Must have a separate and independent entrance from the primary residence
  • Exterior design: stucco or EIFS wall cladding; concrete tile roof with 4:12 slope; additional accent material consistent with primary dwelling; OR design may be commensurate with primary dwelling in materials, colors, and architectural style
  • Contact City Planner (480-782-3050) before submitting to verify zoning requirements, setbacks, and lot coverage
  • Apply through Citizen Access portal; submit completed Building Permit Application, plot plan, structural drawings, and trade plans
  • ADU shall not be constructed in advance of the principal structure

Required documents

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Fee schedule

ADU building permit — valuation-based fee tableCity of Chandler Fee Schedule §4.6.1 (Res. 4703). No separate ADU-specific fee; ADUs are permitted as residential construction under the standard valuation-based table.
Per valuation-based fee table (§4.6.1); plan review 65% of permit fee. Typical ADU values fall in the $50,001–$100,000 range: $580.50 for first $50,000 plus $6.25 per additional $1,000.
Administrative fee for permits from approved standard plansCity of Chandler Fee Schedule, Section 4.6.4(n): 'Administrative fee for permits from approved standard plans — $75.00.' Applicable if using a city-approved standard plan for the ADU.
$75.00

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Chandler building department
~10–20 business days

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Chandler?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footings / foundation

    All forms, reinforcing steel and UFER ground in place before concrete is poured.

  2. 2

    Rough trades and framing (concurrent)

    Rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough HVAC, and framing inspected concurrently before cover.

  3. 3

    Wallboard

    Wallboard installed and nailed but not filled or taped.

  4. 4

    Final inspection

    ADU completed to requirements of approved plans and city codes.

See the full Chandler inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Chandler allows a maximum of one attached and one detached ADU per single-family lot — updated to comply with Arizona ADU laws.
  • ADU cannot exceed 75% of the primary dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less.
  • ADUs must use the same utility meters as the primary residence — separate utility meters are not permitted under Chandler City Code 35-2202.2(e).
  • Contact a City Planner (480-782-3050) before submitting to confirm setbacks, lot coverage, and architectural compatibility for your subdivision.
  • The ADU must have stucco or EIFS exterior cladding and a concrete tile roof at 4:12 slope, or match the primary dwelling's exterior design.

Frequently asked questions

Chandler requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: Allowed on lots where a single-family dwelling is the principal use; maximum one attached + one detached ADU per lot (a second detached ADU may be permitted on lots of 1 acre or more if one ADU is deed-restricted as affordable); ADU may not exceed 75% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less; Rear and side yard setbacks no less than 5 feet; must comply with front yard setbacks and building height limits of the zoning district; Must be served by the same water, sewer, and electric-utility providers and meters as the primary residence (separate meters not permitted); Must have a separate and independent entrance from the primary residence; Exterior design: stucco or EIFS wall cladding; concrete tile roof with 4:12 slope; additional accent material consistent with primary dwelling; OR design may be commensurate with primary dwelling in materials, colors, and architectural style; Contact City Planner (480-782-3050) before submitting to verify zoning requirements, setbacks, and lot coverage; Apply through Citizen Access portal; submit completed Building Permit Application, plot plan, structural drawings, and trade plans; ADU shall not be constructed in advance of the principal structure. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety at 480-782-3000 before starting work.

In Chandler, the published ADU building permit — valuation-based fee table is: Per valuation-based fee table (§4.6.1); plan review 65% of permit fee. Typical ADU values fall in the $50,001–$100,000 range: $580.50 for first $50,000 plus $6.25 per additional $1,000.. Additional published fees: Administrative fee for permits from approved standard plans — $75.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit in Chandler typically runs 10–20 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety at 480-782-3000.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Plot Plan; Construction Drawings. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Chandler requires 4 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Footings / foundation, Rough trades and framing (concurrent), Wallboard, Final inspection. Schedule each through City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety (480-782-3000).

Apply through City of Chandler Development Services Department — Building Safety at 215 E. Buffalo St., Chandler, AZ 85225. Phone: 480-782-3000, email: prod@chandleraz.gov. Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, except holidays; Walk-in plan review: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Official information: https://www.chandleraz.gov/government/departments/development-services/building-safety-plan-review-permits-and-inspections.

Chandler, Arizona has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by Chandler City Council, Ordinance No. 5108; effective for plans submitted on or after July 1, 2025; Chandler amendments published in City Code Chapter 29, Article II (Ordinance No. 5108); 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VI); effective July 1, 2025; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article III); effective July 1, 2025; Chandler's 2024 code set retains the 2023 NEC edition (not the 2024 NEC); 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article IV); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article V); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VII); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article VIII); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article IX); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 29, Article X); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted by Ordinance No. 5108 (City Code Chapter 28); effective July 1, 2025. Local amendments apply — see the Chandler overview page for the full list.

Chandler City Code Section 35-2202.2 permits a maximum of one attached and one detached ADU on any lot where a single-family dwelling is the principal use. A second detached ADU is permitted on lots of 1 acre or more if at least one ADU is deed-restricted as an affordable unit (80% of area median income or less). ADUs must use the same utility meters as the primary residence and may not exceed 75% of the primary dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. Source: Chandler Homeowner's Building Permit Manual (Rev. 4/09/26), ADU section (City Code 35-2202.2).

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-16.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Chandler building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

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