Staff will walk through every step of the fee waiver program with ADU owners. These instructions are intended to provide interested residents with an overview of the process before requesting a contract.

• Submit plans to the Building Division and inquire if your unit is eligible for the fee waiver program. 
  
  
• Provide the Deed of Trust which shows primary property address and legal property owner’s name(s) by email.
  
  
• The Housing Division will send back a copy of the Agreement prepared for your signature.  Please print the document single sided to comply with recording standards. 
  
  
• The applicant is responsible for having the document notarized upon signature. Notary services are available at City Hall if needed ($15 per signature). Contact the City Clerk’s Office to set up an appointment at 760.639.6125.
  
  
• Once the Agreement is signed and notarized, either mail or deliver the document to the Housing Division (address below). 
  
  
• We will have the document recorded, but the applicant will be responsible for paying recording fees (approximately $52).  A form with payment instructions will be sent to you when the document is recorded.
  
  
• All forms related to the fee waiver program are located here. 
  
  
• The Occupancy Certification Form (located in Exhibit B of the Covenant Agreement) will need to be completed and returned to the Housing Division initially, as well as annually on the Agreement anniversary date.
  
  
• If the ADU is being rented on a low-income basis, the tenant will need to provide two approved forms of income verification along with the Occupancy Certification Form.
  
  
• If the ADU is being rented on a Caregiver basis, the tenant will need to complete and return the Live-In Aide Verification form along with the Occupancy Certification Form.
  
  
• Occupancy Certification Forms can be mailed, delivered, or emailed. Mail or deliver to City of Vista Housing Division, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92083. Our hours are here.
  
  
• Exhibit C of the Covenant Agreement includes the Addendum to the Lease which can be emailed, mailed, or delivered to the Housing Division within 30 days of signing any lease within the Covenant Term (10 years).
  
  
• Mail, email or deliver the first page of the ADU Program Packet to the Housing Division to verify understanding of the fee waiver process.
  
  
• Exhibit A of the Program Packet contains the Estimated 2022 ADU Fees that will be waived for program participants.
  
  
• Exhibit B of the Program Packet is a checklist to ensure submission of all documentation to the Housing Division in a timely manner.