What if building an ADU was no longer complicated? Now it is as easy as choosing a design and getting started.
At Apex Homes, we are excited to announce a major breakthrough for homeowners across California: more cities are now adopting pre-approved ADU plans to streamline the design and permitting process. This innovative approach saves homeowners thousands of dollars in architectural fees and shortens approval timelines by months, making it faster and more affordable than every to build an ADU.
What This Means For Apex Homes:
As a leader in standardized housing solutions, Apex Homes is uniquely positioned to help families take advantage of this change. With 10 cities already recognizing Apex Homes’ pre-approved ADU designs — including San Jose, Cupertino, Mountain View, Gilroy, Pomona, Chino, Ranch Cucamonga, Saratoga, Antioch, and Campbell — we are reducing time, cutting costs, and delivering move-in-ready units in record time.
This new era of simplified permitting means we can focus less on paperwork and more on what really matters: building high-quality homes that create value for families. Whether it is an ADU for rental income, multigenerational living, or future resale, pre-approved plans open the door to new possibilities.
California’s New Era of Pre-Approved ADUs
The shift toward pre-approved plans is part of California’s broader push to tackle the housing shortage. Instead of requiring every homeowner to start from scratch, cities are now curating catalogs of approved designs that already meet state and local codes.
Homeowners can simply select a design, submit it for review, and move forward with far less friction. This dramatically reduces permitting delays while ensuring safety and quality. In practice, that means a process that once took six to nine months can now be shortened to just weeks.
For Homeowners
Pre-approved plans make ADUs more approachable. No longer do families need to hire an architect for tens of thousands of dollars or navigate endless rounds of revisions. With designs already vetted, they can confidently move forward knowing their plan meets city standards.
This give homeowners the ability to turn their vision into reality faster — whether it is creating space for parents to age in place, building a rental unit to offset the mortgage, or preparing for future resale value.
For Buyers & Renters
Faster permitting doesn’t just help homeowners — it also means more ADUs coming online for renters and buyers. As inventory increases, communities gain access to more affordable, flexible living options.
In markets where single-family homes often exceed $1 million, ADUs provide much-need relief by adding smaller, attainable units. Pre-approved plans accelerate this process, bringing affordability back into reach for more families.
For Communities
Pre-approved ADUs are a win for entire neighborhoods. Cities benefit by reducing permitting backlogs, homeowners benefit from easier approvals, and communities gain new housing without large-scale developments that disrupt local character.
It’s a scalable, sustainable solution: smaller homes tucked into existing neighborhoods that support housing growth while preserving community feel.
The Future of Pre-Approved Plans
San Jose and Cupertino are already leading the charge, showing just how effective these program can be. Dozen of projects have move forward thanks to pre-approved designs, and other cities are now preparing to adopt similar approaches.
As more municipalities follow suit, the statewide impact will multiply — lowering costs, accelerating builds, and making it easier for Californians to create housing solutions right in their backyards.
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The Apex Difference: Leading the Way in Pre-Approved ADUs
At Apex Homes, we’ve been preparing for this moment. Our state-certified and city-approved plans are designed for speed, efficiency, and quality. Here’s what sets us apart:
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10 Cities and Growing → Our pre-approved designs are already recognized in San Jose, Cupertino, Campbell, Chino, Antioch, Gilroy, Mountain View, Rancho Cucamonga, Saratoga, and Pomona.
- Standardized Housing → Apex is not limited to backyard units. Our standardized models can scale into full housing developments, offering cities and communities flexible solutions to address broader housing shortages.
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Speed to Build → With permits in place, we can complete an ADU in as little as three months.
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Affordable Pricing → Our streamlined approach ensures competitive costs that make ADUs attainable for more families.
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Future-Ready Designs → Efficient layouts, energy-conscious builds, and flexible uses tailored for modern living.
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Trusted Expertise → Every Apex ADU is backed by state certification, ensuring compliance and quality.
Our Mission Moving Forward
At Apex Homes, we believe every backyard has potential. With California embracing pre-approved ADU plans, the barriers to building are finally coming down. This is more than a policy shift — it’s a turning point for families, buyers, and communities across the state.
We are proud to lead this movement, helping homeowners unlock new opportunities for income, flexibility, and long-term stability. By building smarter, faster, and more affordably, we’re not just creating ADUs — we’re shaping the future of housing in California.
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up to date on ADU innovations, housing trends, and Apex projects. If you are ready, book a consultation today to receive a free backyard property review from our team—helping you unlock the full potential of your home while staying connected to the future of California housing.
