Build Faster: Monrovia’s Pre‑Approved ADU Options

Thinking about adding an ADU and want to skip the slow lane? If you live in Monrovia, the city’s new pre‑approved ADU plan program can help you move from idea to permit faster, with fewer design hurdles. You still need a solid plan and a complete application, but you can streamline key steps and shorten review time. In this guide, you’ll learn how the program works, what is available today, and the practical moves that keep your project on track. Let’s dive in.

What Monrovia’s pre‑approved ADU program offers

Monrovia launched a public catalog of pre‑approved ADU plans to help you “build faster, smarter, and simpler.” The city is growing this catalog over time. Today, the listing includes a 476 sq ft one‑bed, one‑bath detached plan called “Get ADU — Plan 1 (‘The 16th’),” and the catalog provides the designer’s contact details.

You can review current offerings and the homeowner overview on the city’s Pre‑Approved ADU Plan Program page. Monrovia will add plans as designers submit options for review, so check back for updates. Explore the city’s pre‑approved ADU catalog and overview.

Why pre‑approved plans can save time

Under California’s ADU rules, cities process complete ADU permits ministerially, typically within 60 days. When you use a plan that your city already pre‑approved in the current code cycle, state law provides an even faster path: the city must approve or deny the site‑specific permit within 30 days of a complete submittal. See state ADU guidance on timelines and a summary of the pre‑approved plan rule under AB 1332. Learn more about AB 1332’s 30‑day fast track.

In practice, this means the core building‑code review for the plan set is largely complete. You still need to show how the plan fits your property and submit all required reports.

How the process works in Monrovia

Monrovia outlines a simple path for homeowners using a pre‑approved plan:

1. Confirm your property’s eligibility and goals.
2. Select a pre‑approved plan from the city catalog.
3. Work with the listed designer or a qualified professional to create site‑specific sheets.
4. Prepare required documents like Title 24 energy calculations and utility information.
5. Submit your ADU permit package online to the Building Division.
6. Respond quickly to any completeness checks.
7. Receive your permit, build, and schedule inspections.

For technical requirements and submittal routing, review the city’s guide for designers and architects. Read Monrovia’s submission guide and checklist.

What “pre‑approved” still requires

Even with a pre‑approved plan, you must provide:

• A site plan showing setbacks, utilities, and any property‑specific conditions.
• Title 24 energy documentation and any required agency referrals.
• Geotechnical or other reports if your site conditions call for them.
• A complete package that triggers the 30‑day shot clock.

Eligibility and design standards at a glance

Monrovia’s current pre‑approved catalog parameters focus on detached, single‑story ADUs up to 800 sq ft. Designs use a maximum building height of 16 feet for the catalog template and do not include lofts or two‑story spaces. Utilities, mechanical locations, and city‑specific notes must be shown. See the city’s design parameters.

Local standards you should know:

• Parking: Per state limits, parking is only potentially required for new ADUs larger than 800 sq ft that are not within one‑half mile of public transit. Monrovia’s FAQ explains how transit proximity and definitions apply locally. Review Monrovia’s ADU FAQs.
• Height and setbacks: Detached ADU height caps can vary by zone, and measurement rules differ for units over garages. Check the city’s FAQ for height and placement.
• Number of ADUs: Counts depend on whether your lot is single‑family or multi‑family and whether streamlined or alternative standards apply. See allowable ADU types and counts.

Timelines you can expect

• Designer plan pre‑approval by the city: Monrovia aims to respond in about 4 to 6 weeks when designers submit plans to the catalog. This affects designers, not your site permit.
• Your site‑specific permit with a pre‑approved plan: 30 days after a complete submittal, per AB 1332.
• Standard ADU permits without a pre‑approved plan: typically processed within 60 days after a complete submittal, per state guidance.

A complete package is key. Missing items can pause timelines until you resubmit.

Costs, fees, and financing options

Pre‑approved does not mean free. You still pay plan check and permit fees, and you may need site reports and Title 24 documentation. For the most accurate estimate, contact Monrovia’s Building Division at [email protected] or (626) 932‑5581. See the city’s submission guide for required materials.

To help with costs, the CalHFA ADU Grant Program has historically offered up to $40,000 toward eligible predevelopment and closing costs for qualifying homeowners. Availability and income guidelines change, so check current status before you budget. Explore CalHFA’s ADU resources. You can also review nonprofit guidance on financing strategies, including home equity, construction loans, and grants. Browse Casita Coalition’s ADU finance guides.

Construction approach matters too. Some plans are designed for stick‑built construction, while other jurisdictions include factory or prefab options in their catalogs. Monrovia’s catalog currently lists a designer plan and is recruiting more entries. Check the current catalog.

Avoid common delays

• Site constraints: Slopes, protected trees, flood or geological conditions can trigger extra reports and reviews.
• Incomplete submittals: Missing Title 24, utility letters, or site plans can stop the clock.
• Major plan changes: Significant modifications can void the pre‑approved status and send you into full plan check timelines and fees.

When in doubt, contact the Building Division early at [email protected] or (626) 932‑5581 to confirm your property’s path.

Your next steps

1. Define your goal: rental income, family housing, or future resale flexibility.
2. Review Monrovia’s catalog and pick the plan that fits your needs.
3. Contact the listed designer to create your site‑specific sheets and coordinate Title 24.
4. Verify setbacks, utilities, and any special site conditions.
5. Compile a complete submittal package to trigger the 30‑day review.
6. Plan financing and get contractor bids while the city reviews.
7. Pull the permit, build, and schedule inspections on time.

Building an ADU can boost flexibility and long‑term value. If you want help weighing rental potential, resale impact, and your neighborhood market, connect with Lauren Kinkade‑Wong for a calm, data‑informed plan tailored to your home.

FAQs

What is Monrovia’s pre‑approved ADU program?

• It is a city catalog of plan sets reviewed for code compliance to speed permitting, starting with a 476 sq ft one‑bed detached plan, with more designs expected over time.

How fast can I get a permit with a pre‑approved plan in Monrovia?

• If your submittal is complete and uses a listed pre‑approved plan in the current code cycle, the city must approve or deny within 30 days under AB 1332.

Do I still need a site plan and Title 24 with a pre‑approved plan?

• Yes, you must submit site‑specific sheets, Title 24 energy documents, and any needed reports or agency approvals to get your permit.

Can I change a pre‑approved plan’s layout or size?

• Minor, non‑structural tweaks may be possible, but significant changes often void pre‑approval and trigger standard plan check timelines and fees.

Will I need to add parking for my ADU in Monrovia?

• Parking can only be required for new ADUs larger than 800 sq ft that are not within one‑half mile of public transit, as explained in the city’s ADU FAQ.

Who do I contact for fees and submittal questions?

• Reach Monrovia’s Building Division at [email protected] or (626) 932‑5581, and review the city’s submission guide and ADU FAQs before you apply.