Why Citrus Heights ADU prep usually starts with demolition
Most Citrus Heights housing went up between 1965 and 1985 — Sunrise Manor, Sylvan Highlands, Mariposa, and the neighborhoods south of Greenback. That generation of suburban builds put a lot of detached structures in the backyard: storage sheds, hobby shops, RV slabs, second garages, dog runs, and concrete walkways tying it all together. When the owner now wants an ADU back there, the prep job is usually 60 percent demolition and 40 percent grading.
Typical Citrus Heights ADU prep scope
- Detached shed and outbuilding demolition
- Old concrete patio, walkway, and RV pad removal
- Original gunite pool removal where applicable (still common on these lots)
- Mature ornamental and oak tree coordination
- Rough grade and compaction on the pad envelope
- Utility trench planning for sub-panel and sewer lateral tie-in
Sacramento County handles your permit, not Citrus Heights
Citrus Heights contracts building and safety through Sacramento County, so demolition and grading permits come from building.saccounty.gov rather than a city department. That matters for timeline — county over-the-counter turnaround is usually fast, but plan-check items for engineered pads or structural sheds can add review time. We coordinate the permits that match our scope and leave the ADU permit set to your GC or architect.
Cost variables on a Citrus Heights ADU prep
| Variable | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Detached shed / outbuilding count | +$2,500-$7,500 each | Roof, slab, utilities, asbestos review on older units |
| Concrete flatwork removal | +$1,500-$4,500 | Common to find layered patios from multiple owners |
| Existing pool | +$10,000-$20,000 | Original 1970s gunite still in many backyards |
| Protected tree in the work zone | Arborist + county review | Sacramento County oak ordinance applies |
| Sacramento County permit fees | Standard | Pulled from building.saccounty.gov, not the city |
What we leave for the foundation crew
- Pad rough-graded with compaction notes to your engineer's spec
- All demolished structure debris hauled, no surprise slabs left buried
- Utility trench paths clear of debris and accessible
- Photos of any buried surprises (footings, drylines, abandoned plumbing)
- Final access path and remaining backyard left broom-clean
Frequently asked questions
- Does Citrus Heights have its own building department?
- No. Citrus Heights is incorporated but contracts building, safety, and permit services through Sacramento County. Demolition and grading permits come through building.saccounty.gov.
- How much shed and outbuilding demo is typical here?
- More than people expect. Most mid-century Citrus Heights backyards have at least one detached shed, often a second slab or RV pad, and sometimes a hobby workshop. Pricing it accurately matters because that scope can shift the prep budget by several thousand dollars.
- Are there tree protection rules?
- Yes. Sacramento County's tree ordinance protects native oaks over certain trunk diameters. We flag protected trees on the walk and coordinate review before any canopy or root-zone work happens.
- Do you handle the ADU permit?
- No — the ADU permit set runs through your GC or architect. We handle the demolition and grading permits triggered by our scope and coordinate so the timelines line up.
Related planning resources
ADU pad preparation guide
Clearing, compaction, and drainage for the ADU slab.
Site preparation service
Clearing through pad-ready handoff.
Concrete removal
Old patios, walkways, and RV pads cleared off the pad envelope.
Grading
Pad cut/fill and drainage.
Trenching
Utility trench paths for the builder.
Citrus Heights demolition and land clearing
Full service-area page for Citrus Heights.
ADU site prep in Carmichael
Neighboring Sacramento County ADU prep — similar permit path.
ADU site prep in Fair Oaks
Larger Sacramento County lots with oak coordination.
Lot clearing for Sacramento ADU construction
Master sequence guide: clearing, demo, grading, pad prep for ADU foundations.