Accessory Dwelling Units

HELPFUL LINKS

ADU Resources (Guidebook, budget calculator, ADU 101)

Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook (California HCD)

ADU Resource Center (AIA) 

The ABCs of ADUs (AARP)

Other External Websites (via HCD)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I find the City's ADU regulations?

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Handout

Zoning 30.54 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (codepublishing.com). 

What is my zoning district?

Please email the Planning Division with your address and we can look up your zoning for you.

What is an ADU?

“Accessory dwelling unit” means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and a food preparation area (which may include countertop appliances), and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated.

“Attached accessory dwelling unit” means a residential dwelling unit that is created as a result of internal conversion, addition, or combination thereof made to the primary residential dwelling unit.

“Junior accessory dwelling unit” means a unit that is no more than five hundred (500) square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence. A junior accessory dwelling unit may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

How many ADUs can I have on a Single-family zoned property?

One (1) ADU is allowed when the property contains an existing or proposed primary single-family home. The ADU may be within, attached to, or detached from the proposed or existing primary dwelling.

How many ADUs can I have on a Multi-family zoned property?

Portions of the existing duplex or multifamily dwelling structure(s) that are not used as livable space (including, but not limited to, storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements, or garages) may be converted for use as an ADU; provided, that the total number of units must not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing multifamily dwelling units or one (1) unit, whichever is greater.

An owner may also construct up to a maximum of two (2) detached ADUs on a lot that has an existing permitted or proposed duplex or multifamily dwelling, subject to height limits and setbacks per State law. 

What is the maximum square footage allowed? 

A detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed a maximum size of one thousand (1,000) square feet in floor area.

An attached accessory dwelling unit, including internal conversions of existing primary living space, shall be permitted but shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the existing primary dwelling gross floor area, garage area excluded. Notwithstanding this requirement, an 850 square-foot one-bedroom or 1,000 square-foot two-or-more-bedroom accessory dwelling unit shall be allowed.

What is the height limit?

As of January 1, 2023, the height limits are as follows:

(i) 16 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit.

(ii) 18 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit that is within one-half of one mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor, as those terms are defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code. NOTE: VTA bus route 68 meets this requirement. Two (2) additional feet in height are allowed to accommodate a roof pitch on the accessory dwelling unit that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit. 

(iii) 18 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily, multistory dwelling.

(iv) 25 feet or the height limitation that applies to the primary dwelling, whichever is lower, for an accessory dwelling unit that is attached to a primary dwelling. Please ask a planner to look up your zoning if you need to know the height limit.

What are the setbacks for an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit must not encroach upon the required front yard area, unless necessary to accommodate an 800 square foot ADU.

A setback of four (4) feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for a newly constructed accessory dwelling unit that is not constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.

No additional zoning setback is required for conversion of an existing permitted accessory structure, living area, or garage space, or conversion of a structure that is constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as the existing structure

What are the parking requirements?

One (1) additional parking space shall be required for a newly constructed accessory dwelling unit, which may be located in an existing driveway that provides at least eighteen (18) feet of clearance from the back of sidewalk. Parking in setback areas or tandem parking may be denied if found to be infeasible due to specific site or life safety conditions.

Notwithstanding the above, a parking stall will not be required for an accessory dwelling unit that meets any of the following criteria:

1. The accessory dwelling unit is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure.
2. An existing garage, carport or parking structure is converted or demolished to accommodate an accessory dwelling unit in the same location.
3. The accessory dwelling unit is within one-half (1/2) mile walking distance of a public transit station, such as a bus stop or train station.
4. The property is within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
5. On-street parking permits are required in the area but not offered to the occupant of the residential accessory dwelling unit.
6. A car share vehicle is located within one (1) block of the accessory dwelling unit.

What are the Junior accessory dwelling unit standards?

One (1) junior accessory dwelling unit may be permitted per residential lot zoned for a single-family residential use; provided, that the lot has not more than one (1) existing or proposed single-family residence, and not more than one (1) attached or detached residential accessory dwelling unit if constructed in compliance with all applicable limitations of section 30.54.30.

The unit must be constructed within the existing walls of an existing or proposed single-family dwelling.

The square footage of the unit shall be at least the minimum size required for an efficiency unit, up to a maximum size of five hundred (500) square feet in floor area.

An efficiency kitchen must be provided in the unit which shall include all of the following:

1. A cooking facility with appliances, which may be countertop appliances.
2. A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the junior accessory dwelling unit.

The unit may include separate bathroom facilities or may share bathroom facilities contained within the primary residence.

No separate utility connection, connection fee or capacity charge, or parking space shall be required for a junior accessory dwelling unit. 

Are fire sprinklers required?

The installation of fire sprinklers shall not be required for an accessory dwelling unit if sprinklers are not otherwise required for the primary residence.