The city’s Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) program simplifies the process of adding an ADU to your property with free, pre-approved plans for property owners. Photo courtesy of City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The popularity of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) continued to grow in 2025, with the City of Citrus Heights issuing 31 ADU permits. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), often referred to as granny flats or in-law units, allow homeowners to add a second, independent living unit on an existing residential property.

ADUs are most commonly used to provide independent living space for family members, such as aging parents or adult children, while others are built to generate rental income and increase housing options within the community.

The increase in ADU development can be attributed in part to the City’s Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) Program, which offers free, pre-approved ADU plans to Citrus Heights property owners. Since the program launched in the summer of 2021, 26 property owners have successfully built ADUs using the City’s pre-approved plans.

The PRADU plans include one- and two-bedroom units in a variety of exterior styles, ranging in size from 499 to 749 square feet. By using these pre-approved designs, homeowners can avoid hiring an architect, bypass the traditional plan review process, and save more than $7,000 in plan preparation costs.

To learn more about ADUs or the City’s PRADU Program, visit www.citrusheights.net/aducentral.