Choosing an ADU plan is exciting. It can make a future backyard home, rental unit, guest suite, or family space feel real. But before you apply for a permit, you need to verify more than the floor plan. A pre-approved ADU plan can save time during early research, but it is not a substitute for local confirmation. Your property still has to meet site-specific requirements, and your city or county may require additional documents. Use this checklist before you commit to a plan. For a better starting point, search local plan listings through ADU Plan Finder , which organizes public ADU plan records by location and links back to official sources when available. 1. Verify the correct jurisdiction Confirm whether your property is inside city limits or in an unincorporated county area. This affects which ADU rules, plan catalogs, and permit processes apply. Do not rely only on a mailing address. Use a parcel lookup tool or contact the local planning department if needed. 2.…