Academy track
ADU Feasibility Basics
Learn how to organize parcel facts before design, pricing, or permit conversations.
Designed for
Homeowners, agents, designers, and contractors who need a practical first-pass review process.
Lesson 1
Confirm jurisdiction and APN
Jurisdiction identifies which planning and building departments control the parcel. The APN connects assessor, GIS, zoning, utility, and department records to the same property.
Practice: Record an APN, open the assessor and GIS sources, and document whether city or unincorporated county rules appear to apply.
Lesson 2
Identify ADU type and likely review path
A reliable feasibility workflow separates known facts, user assumptions, official sources, unanswered questions, and the professional work that may be required next.
Practice: Create a one-page record of facts, sources, open questions, responsible departments, and next actions for a sample property.
Lesson 3
Check setbacks, lot coverage, access, and utilities
The base zone is only the beginning. Use tables, definitions, development standards, overlays, and local interpretation together before relying on a use.
Practice: Save the use-table and development-standard links and list the setbacks, height, coverage, parking, and overlay questions still open.
Lesson 4
Know when a professional review is appropriate
Early conversations are more useful when opportunity, uncertainty, scope, and official verification are kept separate. Avoid promising approval or buildability.
Practice: Create an intake note with property facts, missing facts, source links, assumptions, and a clearly stated next action.
Use the supporting tools
TinyHomeNavigator provides educational information only. Rules vary by parcel, zoning district, city, county, overlay, utility provider, fire authority, and environmental health department. Always confirm directly with the local planning department, building department, environmental health department, fire authority, and utility providers before buying land, designing, permitting, placing, or building any structure.