Schedule questions · 448 answers · 2688 total in the reference desk
Timeline & Phases
What influences sequencing from early study through closeout.
Four separate things decide the timeline
State baseline reviewed September 26, 2026. Local procedures, exceptions and parcel conditions still apply.
The statutory review clock
After an ADU application is submitted, the local agency must say in writing within 15 business days whether it is complete, and generally approve or deny a complete application within 60 days (Gov. Code § 66317). The clock measures agency review of a complete application — not design, corrections, utility work or construction.
If the agency finds the application incomplete or issues corrections, the time the applicant's team spends revising drawings and resubmitting is outside the agency's clock. Complete, coordinated drawings are the part of the schedule the owner's team controls most.
Water, sewer, electric and gas connections are reviewed and scheduled by the utility or agency that owns each system, sometimes on separate applications. Their timing is not set by the ADU review clock; ask each provider what it needs and when.
Once a permit is issued, duration depends on scope, site conditions, material lead times, inspections and any correction notices in the field. No general duration applies to every property; a schedule should be built from the actual scope.
Yes. California requires a local agency to approve or deny a complete ADU permit application within 60 days (Gov. Code §66317). The clock starts only when the application is complete; correction rounds, utility work and inspections are outside it.
Can monthly permit counts predict my approval time?
No. Census and city reports record authorizations issued, not how long each took. RSA shows those counts for context and asks you to enter your own week estimates per stage, labelled as your scenario.
It can affect concrete pours, roofing and excavation. The planning timeline flags days with rain chance of 40%+, wind of 20 mph+ or heat of 90°F+ as questions to ask your builder — not as a guaranteed work window.
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
422How should a Irvine JADU schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
423How long can a home addition take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
424How should a Irvine home addition schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
425How long can a kitchen remodel take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
426How should a Irvine kitchen remodel schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
427How long can a bathroom remodel take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
428How should a Irvine bathroom remodel schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
429How long can a whole-home remodel take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
430How should a Irvine whole-home remodel schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
431How long can a roofing project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
432How should a Irvine roofing project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
433How long can a siding project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
434How should a Irvine siding project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
435How long can a deck project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
436How should a Irvine deck project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
437How long can a concrete project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
438How should a Irvine concrete project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
439How long can a window and door project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
440How should a Irvine window and door project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
441How long can a foundation work take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
442How should a Irvine foundation work schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
443How long can a framing scope take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
444How should a Irvine framing scope schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
445How long can a seismic retrofit take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
446How should a Irvine seismic retrofit schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
447How long can a hillside project take in Irvine?+
There is no responsible citywide duration. Design decisions, consultant coordination, agency review, procurement, site conditions and construction scope all affect timing.
448How should a Irvine hillside project schedule be planned?+
Build the schedule around documented milestones, agency dependencies, owner decisions and material lead times, then update it as project information becomes more certain.
City timeline guides — the deep dive
Every FAQ above is anchored in real jurisdiction data. For full line-item breakdowns, plan-check timelines, and city-specific schedules, open the timeline guide for the city you're building in.
