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Detached Garage Teardown and ADU Site Preparation in Sacramento, CA

Many Sacramento homeowners want to replace an old, rundown garage with something more useful. One of the most popular options today is building a new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). An ADU is a small home or apartment on your property that you can rent out or use for family.

We help you make that happen. We provide detached garage demolition and ADU site preparation services in Sacramento, CA. We tear down the old garage, remove the slab, disconnect all utilities, grade the land, and leave a clean, level site that is ready for your ADU builder to start.

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Sacramento Homeowners Are Replacing Old Garages with ADUs

Old detached garages take up valuable backyard space. Many of them are in poor condition. They are not insulated, not up to code, and not being used the way they once were.

California law now makes it easier than ever to replace that old garage with a new rental unit. A new law called AB 976 removed the rule that required you to live on the property to build and rent out an ADU. This means more Sacramento homeowners can now earn rental income from their own backyard.

Also, the Sacramento ADU market is one of the most active in California. New detached ADUs can rent for $1,500 to $2,500 per month or more in many Sacramento neighborhoods.

Next, before any of that can happen, the old garage has to come down. That is where we come in.

What Our Garage Teardown and ADU Site Preparation Includes

Every project is different. But here is what a complete garage teardown and ADU site prep service includes from start to finish.

Structure Demolition

We tear down wood-frame, stucco, concrete block, and metal detached garages. We also remove carports, pole barns, sheds, and other backyard outbuildings.

Utility Disconnects Before Demolition

Before equipment touches the structure, we cap all utilities. Electrical lines are capped at the panel with SMUD coordination. Gas lines are capped at the meter with PG&E. Water and sewer connections are safely severed at the property hookup.

Foundation and Slab Removal

Next, we break up the old concrete slab and remove the footings below it. This clears the ground down to the soil. If your ADU builder wants to assess the old slab before removing it, we can coordinate a structural review first.

Debris Hauling and Recycling

All concrete, wood, metal, and roofing material is sorted, hauled, and taken to certified recycling facilities. We meet Sacramento's required 65% construction and demolition debris diversion rate. We also give you the recycling documentation you need to close out your permit.

Site Grading and Drainage

After the slab is out, we grade the land. This creates a flat, stable building pad for your new ADU. We also grade the drainage so that water flows away from your primary home. This protects both buildings from water damage.

Underground Utility Rough-In (If Included in Scope):

If your ADU builder needs it, we can trench and install new electrical conduits, water supply lines, and sewer connections. This gets the underground work done so the foundation pour can start right away.

Systematic Execution

Our 7-Step Garage Teardown and ADU Site Prep Process

Here is how the full project works, step by step.

01

Free On-Site Estimate

We visit your property at no charge. We walk the site, check utility hookups, evaluate structure condition, and inspect for hazardous materials like asbestos, lead paint, or old fuel tanks. You receive a written estimate with itemized costs.

02

Permit Application

We submit your demolition permit through the City of Sacramento eTRAKiT portal or Sacramento County Accela portal. If you are building an ADU, we submit the demo permit jointly with the ADU building permit for integrated review.

03

Pre-1978 Building Check

If your garage was built before 1978, a certified asbestos survey is required before permit issuance. We coordinate this survey for you and manage licensed abatement before any teardown work begins.

04

Utility Disconnects

All electrical, gas, water, and sewer lines running to the garage are safely capped and isolated. We coordinate directly with SMUD and PG&E before any heavy excavation machinery arrives.

05

Garage Teardown

We install temporary safety fencing and erosion controls, then tear down the structure cleanly. Debris is sorted on-site to achieve Sacramento's mandatory 65% recycling diversion rate.

06

Foundation and Slab Removal

We break up the old concrete slab and excavate footings down to native soil. If your ADU builder plans to reuse the slab, we pause here to complete structural engineering checks.

07

Site Grading and Prep

We grade the site into a level, compacted building pad with proper swale drainage away from the primary home. We can also trench underground utilities so your lot is 100% ready for the ADU foundation pour.

Sacramento Garage Demolition Permits and California ADU Laws

Permits are required for every garage teardown in Sacramento. We handle all of it for you. Here is what the process looks like.

City of Sacramento vs. Sacramento County:

First, we check your address to confirm which department applies. The City of Sacramento uses the eTRAKiT portal through the Community Development Department. Permit fees start at $300 or more. Sacramento County uses the Accela Citizen Access portal. County fees are around $250 and review can be as fast as 1 to 2 weeks.

Demolition Permit and ADU Permit Together:

If you are tearing down the garage to build an ADU, Sacramento allows you to submit both permits at the same time. This is called integrated review. It saves time and reduces back-and-forth with the building department.

No Public Notice Required:

California state law stops Sacramento from requiring public notice for a detached garage removal when you plan to build an ADU. This means no placard on your fence and no neighborhood sign-off needed. The process is faster because of this.

California ADU Laws That Help You:

Free ADU Zoning Review (City of Sacramento):

Before you pay for building plans, the City of Sacramento offers a free ADU Optional Zoning Review using Form CDD-0009. This confirms your lot is eligible, checks your setbacks, and tells you the maximum ADU size allowed. We recommend doing this first.

Pre-1978 Garages:

If your garage was built before 1978, a Refurbishment and Demolition Asbestos Survey is required before a permit is issued. Lead paint testing may also be required. We coordinate this survey as part of our service.

Why Choose Sacramento Demolition Contractor

ADU Focus

We work on garage teardown and ADU site prep regularly. We know the Sacramento ADU permit process and how to coordinate with your ADU builder.

Permit Management

We handle the demolition permit, SMUD and PG&E coordination, and asbestos survey coordination for pre-1978 garages. You do not have to manage these steps yourself.

Schedule-Ready

We coordinate directly with your ADU general contractor so the site is ready when framing or foundation work is scheduled to begin.

C-21 Licensed

We hold the California Class C-21 Demolition Contractor license. This is the correct license for residential and commercial demolition work in California.

In-House Crews

We use our own team on every project. We do not subcontract. This gives you direct accountability for quality and schedule.

Detached Garage Teardown Across Sacramento County

We provide detached garage teardown and ADU site preparation services throughout the Sacramento region. No matter where your property is, our crews are ready.

Cities and areas we serve:

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Ready to Remove Your Old Garage?

Get a Free Estimate Today.

We are ready to help you clear the space and get your Sacramento property ready for a new ADU. We handle everything from the permit application to the final graded, ready-to-build site.

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(916) 318-5272

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to tear down a detached garage in Sacramento?

Yes. Both the City of Sacramento and Sacramento County require a demolition permit for detached garage teardowns. We apply for the permit on your behalf.

Can I submit the garage demo permit and the ADU building permit at the same time?

Yes. Sacramento allows integrated review for both permits at once. This saves time and is the most efficient path when you are replacing a garage with an ADU. We manage both submissions for you.

Do I have to live at the property to build an ADU?

No. California AB 976 permanently removed the owner-occupancy rule. You do not have to live on the property to build and rent out an ADU.

What if my garage was built before 1978?

A certified asbestos survey is required before a demolition permit is issued. Lead paint testing may also be required. We coordinate this survey as part of our service. If abatement is needed, it is completed before any demolition starts.

Should I keep the old concrete slab for the new ADU?

It depends on the condition. Older Sacramento slabs may have drainage problems, cracks, or inadequate thickness that does not meet current code. We can coordinate a structural assessment of the slab before deciding to remove or keep it.

How long does a garage teardown and site prep take?

A standard 1-car or 2-car detached garage teardown typically takes 1 to 3 working days. Site grading adds 1 to 2 more days. Permit processing time depends on City or County jurisdiction and ranges from a few days to several weeks.