RDD Solutions — Renovation Drafting & Design logo
Attention: Homeowners

How Can You Can Avoid the Design Mistakes, Permit Headaches, and Unpleasant Surprise Costs That So Many Homeowners Encounter When Planning Renovations in the Monterey Bay Area?

Projects without comprehensive adherence plans are 3X more likely to have higher costs and significant delays.

If you live anywhere in Monterey Bay, you might already know that every city, county, coastal area, or water district has different laws and policies. These rules are often extremely detailed and confusing yet must be adhered to. 

Homeowners regularly begin projects only to discover:

  • zoning restrictions they weren’t aware of
  • coastal development or scenic-corridor rules
  • water-credit limitations
  • confusing checklists and plan requirements
  • repeated correction requests
  • unexpected engineering coordination

Permit approval is repeatedly delayed, expensive, and stressful, when your design isn’t exactly aligned with local guidelines from the start.

The Monterey Bay region is a complex patchwork of evolving zoning codes, coastal overlays, water-fixture rules, hillside requirements, and jurisdiction-specific checklists. 

Most homeowners begin a remodel or addition excited, only to become overwhelmed by unclear guidance, conflicting information, and repeated requests for revisions creating delay after delay.  

GOOD NEWS: You do not have to try and navigate this complex web alone or with inexperienced help. 

RDD brings precision and calm to a process that often feels fragmented. You can rest assured with RDD. Your design begins with your ideas, thoughts, and dreams. We refine your vision into a tailored plan, that adheres to the regulations and requirements for your exact location. You are getting a complete design package that your contractor can build from, and your jurisdiction can evaluate with clarity.
  • The RDD system has years of permit approvals in the Monterey Bay area working with local jurisdictions.
  • The RDD System design experts work with you to plan your dream. and permit-preparation process for you,  from initial zoning research to builder-ready plan sets and complete submittal packages.

So you are getting clarity, confidence, and plans that align with your property, your goals, and your jurisdiction.

  • Thoughtful Space Planning
  • Construction-Ready Design Packages
  • Local Zoning, Coastal & Water-District Insight
  • Seamless Coordination With Your Builder or Engineer

Your design and plan is backed by decades of work across Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Seaside, Marina, and unincorporated coastal zones.

Because every project starts with deeper research and code checks up front, you avoid:

  • redesign fees
  • preventable delays
  • missed requirements
  • confusion between
  • designers, engineers, and contractors

The RDD System is the difference between confusion and a smooth project. 

We Make This So Easy for You!

You approve your design, we handle the rest. That includes navigating the local design and permitting processes, which are often strict and require submitting plans for approval.

Your role stays simple:

  • Tell us your goals.

  • Walk the property with us.

  • Approve your preferred design direction.

We handle:

  • The tedious code research

  • Plan drafting

  • Engineering coordination

  • Any needed edits

and submit the entire permit package for you!

Frequently Asked Qestions

Yes.  We can even design with your builder’s preferred methods and provide everything they need.

Absolutely.

We can refer you to reputable Monterey Bay builders, but you’re always free to choose your own.

Yes. We evaluate water usage early so design decisions match what’s feasible.

Yes including rural, coastal, and hillside properties.

Imagine...

Imagine starting your remodel or addition with the confidence that the design reflects your lifestyle, complies with local rules, and is properly prepared for submission.

No guesswork. No scrambling at the last minute.

Just a clear, buildable plan and a project you are proud of.
Picture your home that finally reflects the way you want to live, beautifully designed, thoughtfully expanded, and anchored in the natural character of the Monterey Bay.

That’s the RDD experience.

Save Time and Avoid Redesign Fees with Permit-Ready Plans

You are getting: 

  • A custom design tailored to how you live.
  • Clear construction drawings for your builder.
  • Full permit-submittal package preparation.
  • Engineering coordination.
  • Early discovery of zoning, water, or coastal constraints.
  • Transparent pricing and scope of work.
  • A smoother experience from first conversation to final plans.

RDD is trusted by top Monterey contractors and realtors.

Fully compliant with Monterey County and MPWMD with:
  • More than 20 years of Monterey Bay design experience
  • Hundreds of residential projects prepared across the Peninsula, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina, and Santa Cruz
  • Expertise with coastal zoning, MPWMD water credits, hillside and high-hazard zones, and jurisdiction-specific submittal standards
  • Trusted by local contractors, engineers, and homeowners
Testimonial

What Our Clients Say

We are committed to providing our clients with the best possible remodel design experience. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our satisfied clients have to say about working with us.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Karen H 
 
 
  
I highly recommend Renovation Drafting and Design.  We are currently remodeling our kitchen and will be digging out space underneath our bedroom for a gym.  Lance Holt provided the design and sent me the plans and renderings so I could see how the kitchen will look.  He is very respectful and attentive to what I am asking for; he makes adequate time for our meetings and offers practical suggestions.  He has made adjustments to the design in order to accommodate our wishes kindly and with patience.  The project manager, Ryan McJilton is very knowledgable about working with the county.  He has a good working history and put me in touch with our contractor, Ted Kelly, of Kelly Construction.  So far I am very satisfied with our project.
  
 
 
 
 
 Google 
 
 Paul G 
 
 
  
Lance Holt of Renovation Drafting and Design has listened to us, heard our concerns and saw how we live and thrive every day in our kitchen. He developed the design by seeing the limitations of the space, yet put forward creative ideas to make the new kitchen truly what we want. He's been flexible throughout every step of the process and we are so satisfied with what we are now going to build.
  
 
 
 
 
 Google 
 
 Katelin C 
 
 
  
My husband and I have had the pleasure of working with Lance Holt from Renovation Drafting and Design, over the past few years on several projects, and it’s been a consistently positive experience. He brings a great energy to every interaction; always thoughtful, collaborative, and solution-oriented.

What stands out most is his willingness to adapt and facilitate changes as projects evolve. Whether it’s design revisions or adjusting to unexpected circumstances, Lance handles everything with professionalism and a can-do attitude.

If you’re looking for someone who combines creative vision with practical execution, I highly recommend Lance and Renovation Drafting and Design.

Looking forward to continuing our collaboration!
  
 
 
 
 
 Google 
 
 Jeanne 
 
 
  
Lance did an excellent job start to finish.  He is knowledgeable on the process and coordinated the entire design to permit process in a very timely manner.   He worked closely with the city and engineers to make sure they were moving forward.   His design suggestions made the bathroom addition fit nicely into my small space. He gave me better options and also referrals for a solid contractor to build it out.    I would highly recommend his work.
  
 
 
 
 
 Google 
 
 David O 
 
 
  
Fantastic listener and communicator. Reasonable fees. Timely and professional. Everything you could want from a talented draftsman or architect.

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