Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Sprinklers. Fire sprinklers shall be required for the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit only if fire sprinklers are required for the residential dwelling. Fore more information, refer to the Office of the State Fire Marshall's ADU Fire Sprinkler Requirements.

Owner Occupancy Requirement

1. For ADUs permitted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024, property owners will not be required to reside in either the primary residential dwelling unit or in the accessory dwelling unit.
2. For proposed junior accessory dwelling units, the property owner must be an owner-occupant and reside in either the residential dwelling or in the junior accessory dwelling unit. Owner-occupancy shall not be required for the junior accessory dwelling unit if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.

1. Parking for Accessory Dwelling Units.  Off-street parking for an accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the following standards:
   1. A maximum of one off-street parking space shall be provided per accessory dwelling unit or per bedroom, whichever is less, except as otherwise provided in these requirements.
   2. Parking may be located in any configuration on the same lots as the accessory dwelling unit, including covered spaces, uncovered spaces, or tandem spaces.
   3. An uncovered parking space may be located within setback areas on an existing driveway and shall not encroach on the public right-of-way
   4. A covered or enclosed parking space shall comply with zoning standards.
2. Replacement Parking. No replacement parking is required if an existing garage or carport serving as the required parking for the primary dwelling unit is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.
3. Driveway Access. An accessory dwelling unit shall share the driveway with the existing primary residential dwelling. A separate driveway for the accessory dwelling unit shall not be provided, except where the lot is adjacent to an alley, in which case a driveway to the alley may be added to serve the accessory dwelling unit.
4. Exceptions to Parking Requirements. No on-site parking is required for accessory dwelling unit when one or more of the following is applicable:
   1. The property is located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit stop.
   2. The property is listed on the California Register of Historic Places, or any property in a locally designated or eligible historic district.
   3. When the accessory dwelling unit is located within legally constructed existing space of the primary dwelling or accessory structure.
   4. When it a junior accessory dwelling unit.

Applicability

Any accessory dwelling unit, if 750 square feet or greater, shall be charged a Residential Impact fee in an amount proportionally related to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. The proportional fee will be calculated by the Building Department, according to the currently adopted fee schedule.

1. Accessory Dwelling Unit. A residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one 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 sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multi-family dwelling is or will be situated.
2. Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. A unit that is no more than 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.
3. Converted Accessory Dwelling Unit. An accessory dwelling unit constructed through conversion of part of the existing floor area of a primary single-family residence or an existing structure accessory to a primary single-family residence, such as a garage, a carriage house, a pool house, a rear yard studio, or similar enclosed structure.
4. Newly Constructed Accessory Dwelling Unit. An accessory dwelling unit constructed as a new structure, or by addition to an existing structure, either attached to or detached from a primary single-family residence and located on the same lot.
5. Accessory Structure. A structure that is accessory and incidental to a dwelling located on the same lot.
6. Living Area. Interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including basements and attics, but does not include a garage or any accessory structure.
7. Public Transit. A location, including, but not limited to, a bus stop or train station, where the public may access buses, trains, subways, and other forms of transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public.

Process Diagram