Civil Engineering Services

ADU Site Engineering

ADU site engineering addresses the parcel-specific civil work outside the accessory dwelling unit itself: location, access, grading, drainage, utilities, wastewater, and permit coordination.

Service overview

What this service involves

An ADU can trigger site issues that are easy to miss when the focus stays on the building floor plan. Calicore reviews the proposed location, existing structures, driveway and access, grading, drainage, utility connections, septic capacity, setbacks, and available site information before defining the civil scope.

The final package may include a civil site plan, grading and drainage, septic evaluation or design, topographic mapping, utility coordination, and responses to agency comments. Architectural and structural documents remain with the professionals responsible for those disciplines.

Step by step

How the process works

The exact scope is matched to the project, but a typical assignment follows these steps.

  1. 01

    Confirm the review path

    We identify the controlling city, county, district, or utility and review the requirements that apply to the parcel and proposed work.

  2. 02

    Collect site information

    We review available plans and records, then identify the mapping, field observations, testing, or outside-professional information needed for design.

  3. 03

    Prepare the civil documents

    We develop the agreed plans, calculations, reports, or exhibits and coordinate them with the rest of the project.

  4. 04

    Respond to review comments

    When included, we address civil plan-check comments and revise the documents for resubmittal.

Review criteria

What the city or county generally reviews

Reviewers want the proposed work to be clearly located, supported by adequate site information, and consistent with the applicable local requirements.

Requirements vary by jurisdiction, parcel, and project type. Calicore confirms the current review requirements before finalizing the scope.

What you receive

Typical project deliverables

  • ADU site and permit-scope review
  • Civil site, grading, and drainage plans
  • Utility and septic coordination
  • Plan-check response and resubmittal support

Common project needs

When this service is useful

  • Detached ADUs
  • Attached ADUs with site work
  • Rural or septic-dependent properties
  • Owners coordinating several permit consultants

Frequently asked

ADU Site Engineering questions

Does an ADU always need a new septic system?+

Not necessarily. Existing capacity, proposed use, jurisdictional requirements, site conditions, and the relationship to the current system must be evaluated for the specific property.

Can you prepare the ADU architectural plans?+

Calicore’s role is civil and site engineering. Architectural and structural plans are prepared or coordinated by the appropriately responsible professionals.

Can ADU grading and septic work be coordinated together?+

Yes. Coordinating the building location, finished elevations, access, drainage, test locations, and wastewater area early can prevent conflicts during permit review.

Request a proposal

What to send us to begin

Send a short description of the work, any plans, specifications, or photographs you have, and tell us what you need the service to provide. Include a project location if it applies.

Request a proposal