How to read the checklist
Known, unknown, or verify.
Supported information
A useful source or current project information supports the item. Keep the source and date with it.
Relevant but unresolved
The item has not been established yet, but it could affect the next project decision.
Another source is needed
The item needs field, agency, title, survey, utility, or consultant confirmation.
Readiness scan
Start with the decision—not the package.
- 01
Can I name the reviewing city or county?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 02
Do I know which property facts are sourced and which are assumed?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 03
Is the ADU project idea described clearly enough to evaluate?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 04
Do current photos and rough dimensions describe existing conditions?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 05
Have utilities, access, parking, and fire access been considered?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 06
Is any suspected unpermitted work or conflicting record identified?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 07
Do I know which consultants may be needed?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 08
Are submission, corrections, meetings, and owner decisions assigned?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 09
Are agency, utility, school, consultant, and permit fees separate?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
- 10
Is the next paid step tied to a clear question and written boundary?
Answer: Yes / Not yet
Detailed checklist
Work through five project areas.
Section 01
Property and public information
Use source links and review dates. A mailing city, assessor map, or visible online record may not establish the reviewing jurisdiction, a legal boundary, or permit status.
- Property address and assessor parcel number match the intended site. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Reviewing city or county is identified from an official source. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Zoning, general-plan, overlay, or specific-plan sources are noted. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Available permit and building-record searches have been checked. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Recorded maps, assessor maps, and title information are kept distinct. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Known easements, utilities, flood, fire, hillside, or other mapped constraints are flagged. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Every material online source has a link and reviewed date. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Conflicting, incomplete, or unavailable information is labeled—not guessed. — Known / Unknown / Verify
Section 02
Existing conditions
Remote information cannot replace field verification. Existing garages, additions, slopes, utilities, and unpermitted work can change scope.
- Current photos show all sides of relevant structures and site access. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Rough dimensions are available and clearly labeled as owner-provided. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Garage walls, ceiling, slab, door openings, utilities, and damage are documented. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Electrical panel, gas, water, sewer or septic, drainage, and utility routes are considered. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Suspected unpermitted work or record conflicts are identified. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Items needing survey, title, utility, agency, structural, or field verification are listed. — Known / Unknown / Verify
Section 03
Project idea and owner decisions
A remote information-based review is most useful when the project idea is described clearly enough to evaluate. Undefined alternatives multiply coordination and revision risk.
- Detached, attached, conversion, JADU, or legalization approach is selected—or intentionally undecided. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Approximate size, rooms, access, privacy, parking, and intended use are described. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- One person is identified to consolidate owner decisions. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Construction budget and financing assumptions are stated as ranges, not promises. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Desired timing distinguishes owner goals from agency review time. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- The question the next paid service must answer is written in one sentence. — Known / Unknown / Verify
Section 04
Consultants and permit responsibilities
Consultant and agency needs vary by property and jurisdiction. Define who hires, coordinates, submits, pays, and responds before work begins.
- Potential structural, energy, survey, soils, civil, fire, utility, or septic needs are flagged. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Consultants and outside records are client-paid unless the agreement says otherwise. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Submission responsibility and agency account ownership are explicit. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Meetings, revision limits, correction rounds, and consultant cycles are defined. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Agency, school, utility, consultant, record-request, and permit fees are separate. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Inactivity pauses, amendments, and scope-change triggers are written. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Payment milestones are tied to deliverables—not permit approval or issuance. — Known / Unknown / Verify
Section 05
Permit-document scope and handoff
A plan set is a coordinated communication package. The exact sheets and consultants depend on the property, project idea, scope, and reviewing agencies.
- Existing-condition base information is adequate for the agreed drawing scope. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and notes are scoped as needed. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Energy, structural, survey, soils, civil, fire, utility, or other consultant documents are assigned. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Owner review milestones and design-freeze expectations are defined. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- The submittal-package owner and file-handoff format are defined. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- Correction-response scope distinguishes included rounds from new design or consultant work. — Known / Unknown / Verify
- The final handoff standard does not promise permit approval or issuance. — Known / Unknown / Verify
Next-step router
Choose a proportionate first step.
- 01
Information
Property Information Report · $395
Organize reasonably available online property information into a source-linked report.
Next actionCheck address coverage
- 02
Information-based review
ADU Feasibility Report · $1,055
Review a described ADU idea, known conditions, unresolved checks, approaches worth exploring, and practical next actions.
Next actionRequest a fit review
- 03
Verification
Custom first step
Use when the answer depends on measurements, survey, title, utilities, field conditions, agency input, or a consultant.
Next actionAsk Studio Bluework to define the verification step
- 04
Permit documents
Starting at $12,500
Residential drafting and permit-document preparation for qualifying work, with exact scope and responsibilities defined before work begins.
Next actionRequest a fit review
General information + sources
Use the checklist as a planning aid.
Official starting point
Property-specific sources
Use the local planning and building department plus county assessor, recorder, surveyor, public-works, utility, and other applicable sources.