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William Gibson – 650.222.3082
Standards | Details |
|---|---|
Zones allowed | All principally residential zones countywide; all zones that allow residential outside the coastal zone |
Lot Restrictions | 1 ADU and 1 JADU, multiple ADUs allowed on multifamily structures Permitted in front of primary residence only if part of existing structure and/or meets normal front setbacks or is no closer to front property line than primary residence Detached ADUs count against total floor area allowed on parcel as long as it does not preclude an at least 800 square feet ADU |
Minimum Lot Size | None |
Min/Max ADU Size | Min: 150 square feet Max detached: not to exceed 800 square feet or 35% of primary residence, up to 1,500 square feet Max attached: not to exceed 800 square feet or 50% of primary residence, up to 1,500 square feet Max JADU: 500 square feet *Additional 150 square feet of floor area allowed for ingress/egress |
ADU Building Height | 26 feet; ADUs entirely within a primary residence may be the height of that residence. *Two-story ADUs allowed. |
Setbacks | Side and rear: 4 feet. Front: per underlying zoning district. Minimum separation: 5 feet, can be reduced with firewalls. |
Parking Requirements | JADUs: No parking required ADUs: One spot may be required (tandem allowed). Outside of designated Midcoast areas, no parking required if:
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Owner Occupancy | ADUs: none JADUs: owner occupancy required No short term rentals allowed |
Sample fees from recent permits | (2019) ADU 1 (626 sq ft, attached): $10,788* Note: ADUs less than 750 square feet are exempt from all impact fees |
Other requirements | ADUs must conform to all development standards in the zoning district in which they are proposed ADU must comply with California Building Code fire safety requirements. If the primary dwelling has sprinklers, the ADU must have sprinklers There are no design or architectural review requirements, unless the ADU is located in the Coastal Zone, in which case the ADU must be similar in shape, materials and style to the primary dwelling Tree removals may require a permit per the Heritage Tree Ordinance |
Process | ADUs are subject to the standard permitting process with no additional types of review. Standalone ADUs (not part of a larger project) receive expedited processing. Standards are very liberal relative to other types of development. Some ADUs in the County’s Coastal Zone are subject to design review (objectively applied at staff level). Making an appointment to meet with a planner in the initial stages of the project can help avoid challenges and is highly recommended. |
Exceptions | Normal exception process is allowed. ADUs not meeting standards may be conditionally permitted. |
Created by Community Planning Collaborative
