Accessory dwelling units, often called ADUs, have become one of the most practical ways homeowners can add flexible living space to an existing property. An ADU can be used for family, rental income, aging parents, a home office, or long-term property planning. But before a homeowner can build one, they usually need to understand zoning, permitting, design, utility connections, fees, and local building requirements. That is where pre-approved ADU plans can help. A pre-approved ADU plan is a plan that has already gone through some level of review by a city, county, or public program. It is usually intended to reduce the amount of design review needed for a repeatable ADU model. Instead of starting from a blank page with an architect or designer, a homeowner can begin with a plan that has already been accepted or reviewed in a local program. However, “pre-approved” does not mean “automatically approved for your property.” That distinction matters.…