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Local ADU Rules

Brisbane

Last Updated October 7, 2024

ADU Contact:

Community Development Department: 415.508.2120 – planning@brisbaneca.org

Standards	Details
Zones allowed	R-1, R-2, R-3, R-BA, NCRO-2, SCRO-1, PAOZ-1, PAOZ-2 and PD
Lot Restrictions	Lot must have existing or proposed single-family or multiple-family dwelling
Minimum Lot Size	None
Min/Max ADU Size	No Minimum Max ADU New construction: 1,000 square feet Max ADU Conversion: 1,000 square feet Max JADU: 500 square feet
ADU Building Height	Max. two stories. Overall max. height dependent on underlying zoning district
Setbacks	Front: Dependent on underlying zoning district Rear: 4 feet Side: 4 feet on lots 40 feet or more in width, otherwise dependent on the underlying zoning district
Parking Requirements	JADUs & ADUs in R-1, R-2, R-3, NCRO-2, SCRO-1, PAOZ-1, or PAOZ-2 Districts: No parking required ADUs in R-BA and PD Districts: One spot may be required. No parking required if: ½ mile walking distance from public transit in a historic district one block from a car-share vehicle, or on-street parking permits are required but not offered to ADU occupant
Owner Occupancy	ADUs: None JADUs: Owner must occupy primary dwelling or JADU
Sample fees from recent permits	Detached ADU (Permit issued July 2022, 640 square feet, $180,000 valuation): Total permit fee $2,300 Note: no impact fees for ADUs under 750 square feet
Other requirements	The lot on which the ADU is located shall have a legal means of access to the public right-of-way California Building Code compliance required for fire safety, including sprinklering if the main dwelling is sprinklered or requires sprinklering due to other proposed work ADUs over 800 sq ft in floor area are subject to each district’s landscaping requirements Utility connections required; separate meters not required Tree Removal Permit required if trees are to be removed Additional development standards will apply per district requirements, including floor area ratio (FAR) & lot coverage requirements for ADUs larger than 800 square feet Short term rentals prohibited in ADUs and JADUs
Process	Building permit review required. Making an appointment to meet with a planner in the initial stages of the project is highly recommended. No design review is required but ADUs in the R-BA zone must submit an administrative planning application for an ADU in addition to the building permit.
Exceptions	ADUs 800 square feet or less that are no more than 16 feet tall, if detached, are exempt from FAR and lot coverage requirements

Wondering what you can build?

Make sure you check out our Learning the Rules page for more step-by-step details