Burlingame - San Mateo County ADU Resource Center

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Local ADU Rules

Burlingame

Last Updated July 20, 2026

ADU Contact:

Planning Department

Email: planningdept@burlingame.org

Phone: 650.558.7250

Standards	Details
Zones allowed	Where single-or multi-unit residential is permitted
Lot Restrictions	Lot must have existing or proposed single or multi-family dwelling
Minimum Lot Size	No minimum lot size required
Min/Max ADU Size	Up to 1,000 square feet of interior livable space
ADU Building Height	16 ft detached on a single- or multi-unit lot 18 ft detached if within ½ mile of a major transit stop / high-quality transit corridor (plus an extra 2 ft to match primary roof pitch) 18 ft detached on a lot with a multi-unit, multi-story dwelling 30 ft (25 ft in Hillside Overlay) or the zoning district limit, whichever is lower, for attached ADUs (max 2 stories)
Setbacks	Rear / side: 4 feet Conversion ADUs require no setbacks if converted in the same footprint as original structure
Parking Requirements	JADUs: No parking required ADUs: One spot may be required (tandem allowed). No parking required if: ½ mile distance from public transit, in a historic district, or one block from a car-share vehicle on-street parking permits are required but not offered to ADU occupant it is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure when a permit application for an ADU is submitted with an application for a new single or multi-unit dwelling on the same lot
Owner Occupancy	ADUs: No owner occupancy required JADUs: Owner must live in the main dwelling or the JADU if the JADU lacks its own sanitation facilities
Sample fees from recent permits	ADU 1 (570 square feet, converted garage, $30,000 valuation): $3,300 ADU 2 (660 square feet, new detached, $150,000 valuation): $8,250
Other requirements	If more than 150 feet from a right-of-way, fire access required. If primary dwelling is required to have sprinklers, ADU needs sprinklers. Separate electrical and water meters may be required by the City. Sewer must connect to the lateral for the main dwelling. One tree must be added per 1,000 SF of floor area on the site, including ADU and main dwelling and any other accessory structures. A tree removal permit is required for removal of protected-size trees. No short-term rentals Deed restriction must be recorded prior to issuance of a building permit
Process	Submit ADU Permit application to Building Division. Application may require revisions. Making an appointment to meet with a planner in the initial stages of the project can help avoid challenges and is highly recommended.
Exceptions	ADUs less than 800 square feet are exempt from floor area ratio (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