ADU builders
ADU permit expediter: what one can and cannot do
By the HyreADU research desk. Last checked .
The short answer
An ADU permit expediter manages your application: the forms, the submittal, the plan check comments and the back-and-forth with the city. They cannot change the law. In California a complete ADU application already gets a decision within 60 days, and a completeness answer within 15 business days (Gov. Code § 66317).
What an expediter does
An expediter knows which forms your city wants, books intake, tracks each review desk and turns plan check comments around fast. Some also coordinate fire, utility and planning sign-offs. The value is in fewer resubmittals.
The clocks you already have
Under Gov. Code § 66317, a California agency must decide a complete ADU application within 60 days, or it is deemed approved.
Since 1 January 2026 the agency must also tell you in writing within 15 business days whether the application is complete.
A detached ADU on a preapproved plan gets a 30-day decision (Gov. Code § 65852.27).
Measured times are longer than the statute because they include time spent fixing corrections. See ADU permit times by city.
When one is worth hiring
Hire an expediter for a city with a long correction history, a hillside or coastal lot, or a legalization. On a simple detached unit in a city with a clear checklist, a good designer may handle the permit as part of their fee.
What to do next: read the questions to ask an ADU builder, check what decides ADU cost, then tell us about your project. Matching is not live yet, so we reply with information, not a quote.
Get ADU optionsQuestions
Does an expediter need a license?
California has no expediter license. Ask what they have taken through your city.
Can an expediter skip the line?
No. They reduce your own delays. They cannot jump a queue.
What if my city misses the 60 days?
Under Gov. Code § 66317 a complete application not acted on within 60 days is deemed approved. Get advice before relying on that.
Does HyreADU pull permits?
No. We explain the process; we do not file anything.
Sources
- Gov. Code § 66317 (ministerial review, 60-day decision). Checked September 5, 2026.
- Gov. Code § 65852.27 (preapproved ADU plans). Checked September 5, 2026.
HyreADU is a publisher. It does not design, permit or build ADUs, has no partner builders, and gives no legal, tax or engineering advice. Rules vary by state and city; California rules are labeled as such.