Early access ยท in development

Can I build an ADU here? Get the answer for your city, not your state

Yardline is an ADU planner in development. Enter your address and get your city's rules in plain English, a realistic cost range, and a permit checklist with the steps in order.

Yardline isn't built yet. Join the list and we'll email you when it's ready. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Sound familiar?

State guides stop where your city starts

Most ADU laws by state pages tell you what the state allows. Your city still sets the size limit, setbacks, parking and whether the owner has to live on site. That part is buried in a zoning code you were never meant to read.

Cost calculators give you one number and no context

Type in square feet, get a figure. It doesn't say whether that includes impact fees, utility hookups, a new sewer line or design fees. Those are the costs people on r/ADU say surprised them most.

Nobody tells you the permit steps in order

Do you need a zoning review before plans? Who signs off on utilities? How many rounds of plan check corrections is normal? You find out one phone call to the planning office at a time.

How Yardline will work

  1. Enter your address and what you want to build

    Detached backyard cottage, garage conversion, basement or attached unit. Add your rough lot size if you know it.

  2. Read your local rules summary

    Size limits, setbacks, height, owner-occupancy, parking and any short-term rental limits for your city, each linked to the code section or city page it came from, with the date we checked it.

  3. Get a cost range and a permit checklist

    A realistic low-to-high range that lists fees, utilities and design costs separately, plus a step-by-step permit checklist you can take to your first meeting with the city.

What's planned

Planned pricing

City ADU Report
$39 one-time, per address
  • Local rules summary for your address with sources
  • Cost range for your ADU type and size
  • Step-by-step permit checklist
  • Free update if your city changes its ADU rules within 12 months

You won't be charged. This saves your spot at the early-access price.

Questions

Is this available now?

No. Yardline is in development. Join early access and we'll email you when reports are ready for your city. The price shown is the planned price; signing up costs nothing.

Which cities will you cover?

We're starting with cities outside California where homeowners are asking about ADUs the most. Tell us your city when you sign up and it helps decide the order.

Is this legal advice or a substitute for the city?

No. It's a plain-English summary of public rules with links to the sources. Your city's planning and building departments make the final call, and rules change, so confirm before you submit plans.

How is this different from an ADU cost calculator?

A calculator gives you a number. Yardline starts with whether you can build at all on your lot, then gives a cost range with the pieces shown, then the permit steps.

Do I need to know my zoning already?

No. Your address is enough to start. If your lot has something unusual, like a corner lot or an easement, the report will say what to ask the city.