Ministerial Review
Permit review based purely on objective standards — no public hearing, no discretion.
Ministerial review means the city must approve a permit if the application meets every objective standard in the code. There is no public hearing, no neighbor notification, and no discretion for the planner to deny based on subjective concerns.
Under AB 68 and AB 2221, ADU permits inside California are ministerial and capped at 60 days from a complete submittal. By contrast, projects requiring variances, conditional use permits (CUPs), or design review are discretionary — they involve hearings and can be denied or modified.
Related terms
- AB 68 (Assembly Bill 68)2019 California law that streamlined ADU approvals and removed local barriers.
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)A self-contained second home on a residential lot, with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance.
- LADBS (LA Dept. of Building & Safety)The City of LA's plan-check, permit, and inspection authority.
People also ask
FAQ — Ministerial Review
What does "Ministerial Review" mean in plain English?
Permit review based purely on objective standards — no public hearing, no discretion. Browse the full construction glossary for related terms.
Why does Ministerial Review matter for a California ADU or remodel?
Ministerial Review comes up in the permitting side of nearly every Greater LA and Bay Area project we touch. Ministerial review means the city must approve a permit if the application meets every objective standard in the code. Getting it right at design saves rework later — getting it wrong is one of the most common reasons permits stall. See how it lands in our five-phase process and the relevant field guides.
Where will I see Ministerial Review on my own project?
Most owners run into Ministerial Review during the design or plan-check phase — specifically inside schematic design or permit submittal. Your project manager flags it on the schedule, walks you through what the city expects, and confirms documentation is in place before the inspection that depends on it.
Does Ministerial Review cost extra?
Sometimes — depends on whether it adds scope (a report, a structural detail, a fee) or just a paperwork step. Anything cost-impacting is itemized in your contract or change order, never buried in the invoice. Sanity-check your number with the ADU cost calculator and the 2026 cost report.
Who at Alpha Dream handles Ministerial Review?
The project architect owns design-level decisions; the permit runner owns city interactions — see the California permit directory; the project manager owns field execution. You always know who to ask. Start a conversation on the contact page.
When does Ministerial Review typically come up in the project schedule?
Most often during permit submittal or early construction. The full sequence is on the process page.
Is Ministerial Review handled differently in LA vs the Bay Area?
Yes — local interpretation varies. The LA studio and Bay Area studio note the regional shifts on each city hub.
What documents prove compliance with Ministerial Review?
City-specific — the California permit directory lists the form set per jurisdiction. Field journal entries show what actually clears plan check.
Which trades or consultants own Ministerial Review on a typical job?
Architect, structural engineer, or Title 24 consultant — depends on the term. The process page maps roles across the five phases.
How does Ministerial Review affect the project budget?
Direct line item in the contract when it triggers a report, detail, or fee. Pricing bands are in the 2026 cost report.
Has Ministerial Review changed recently under California law?
California ADU and remodel law has shifted every legislative session since 2017. Material changes land first on the field journal; definitions update quarterly here.
Where can I read the underlying statute for Ministerial Review?
Each glossary entry cites the relevant Gov Code, building code section, or city bulletin. The permit directorylinks the source portals.
Which ADU type is Ministerial Review most relevant to?
Cross-references live on the ADU types index. The term often appears in detached ADU and JADU contexts most.
Can I send Ministerial Review questions to your team?
Yes — use the contact page. We add the most-asked questions to the site-wide FAQ monthly.
What's a related term I should also read after Ministerial Review?
Each entry cross-links 3–5 related terms. Browse the full set on the glossary index.
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