Community Development Department
Reference: 2026 Fee Amendment Waiving Certain Fees for Accessory Dwelling Units
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Shawn Weiman, Affordable Housing Coordinator
Date Prepared: November 18, 2025
PURPOSE
To present an amendment to the 2026 fee schedule indicating that certain fees are not charged for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
BACKGROUND
Promoting ADUs as an effective strategy for increasing housing supply has been identified in recent state legislation and the City’s Housing Needs Assessment. Funds from the Proposition 123 Local Planning Capacity grant program have been secured for studying the impact of ADUs as well as how to decrease the cost of adding ADUs. Most City impact fees charged for ADUs are currently the same amounts charged for principal dwellings.
Gruen Gruen + Associates (GG+A) was engaged to perform research regarding the impact fees charged for ADUs and made recommendations to City Council at the October 14, 2025, study session. It was demonstrated that approximately five to ten new ADUs are expected to be permitted over the next ten years in Brighton, and that ADUs have minimal impact on city infrastructure. GG+A’s research revealed that lower build costs correlate with increased ADU construction.
STAFF ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDATIONS
ADUs provide efficient housing solutions for young adults forming their first households, as well as for senior residents looking to down-size. Many of the potential ADUs are expected to house family members of the principal dwelling owner. Also, for-rent ADUs would add to housing inventory at price points affordable to 80% and lower area median income work-force residents.
The park related, transportation, and general services impact fees that would be charged for ADUs in 2026 total $8,860. In addition, permit and plan review fees, and use tax are charged for ADUs based on the project valuation. For example, given a valuation of $200,000, the permit and plan review fee are likely to bring the total fees to over $15,000. A stormwater impact fee is not charged for ADUs, and assuming there is no increase in service size for water and wastewater because additional ADU fixtures do not typically require a service size increase, those associated impact fees are not charged.
During the October 14, 2025, study session, general support was given by City Council for waiving fees to lower the cost of construction of ADUs and accordingly promote ADUs in the City. Staff, therefore, recommends that the following fees not be charged for ADUs (fees are shown at the 2026 amounts for a $200,000 total cost ADU):
1. Residential Design Standards Review $100
2. Residential Design Processing Fee $50
3. Permit Fees Varies per project, estimated
$1,100
4. Plan Review Fee 65% of Permit Fees, estimated
$715
5. Residential Housing Electrical Inspection $126
6. Manufactured Housing Installation Fee $180, if applicable
7. Park Related Impact Fees $4,126
8. Transportation & Multimodal Impact Fee $3,638
9. General Services Impact Fee $1,096
Total (estimated) $11,131
None of the waived fees listed are enterprise fund fees requiring payment from the general fund. The waived fees represent a reduction of 80% of the total amount currently due (assuming no change in water service).
OPTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City Council has four options when reviewing the 2026 fee schedule amendment:
1. Approve the resolution approving the amendment;
2. Deny the resolution approving the amendment;
3. Approve the resolution approving the amendment with changes; or
4. Continue the item to be heard at a later, specified date if the City Council feels it needs additional information to consider the amendment.
ATTACHMENTS
● 2026 Fee Amendment Resolution and Amended Attachments
● Draft PowerPoint Presentation