Your ADU starts with the property.
A compact home can still involve important site decisions. Its floor elevation, roof runoff, utility connections, and access need to work with the existing house and surrounding ground. YCG works with your architect or ADU designer to coordinate the civil portion of the project.
What we can help with
- Review of available surveys, proposed layouts, and civil plan-check comments.
- Site grading and drainage plans for new or modified outdoor areas.
- Drainage calculations and stormwater measures where required.
- Water, sewer, and site-utility coordination.
- Driveway and fire-access layout review when relevant to the site.
- Civil permit documents and responses to reviewing agencies.
Detached, attached, or a conversion?
A detached ADU may introduce new grading, paving, and utility routes. An attached addition or garage conversion can also affect drainage and access, even when much of the existing site remains. We help identify the civil work your particular project needs before defining the scope.
A coordinated part of your design team.
We can work with your existing architect, surveyor, geotechnical consultant, and structural engineer. If a survey or specialist study is missing, we help identify the information needed. Architectural, structural, and other specialist services are scoped separately with the appropriate professionals.
Useful information to get started
Send the property address or APN, a preliminary floor plan or site layout, and any available survey or agency comments. You do not need a complete design to start a conversation.
Common questions
Does every ADU need a civil engineer?
The civil scope depends on the property, proposed work, and reviewing agency. Slopes, drainage changes, new paving, utilities, and access can all affect the requirements. Send the available plans and comments so we can review what is needed.
Can you help with a modular or prefab ADU?
Yes. We can coordinate civil site work around the manufacturer’s layout and the project team’s foundation and building plans. The building package and site improvements need to be reviewed together.