Woodside - San Mateo County ADU Resource Center

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Local ADU Rules

Woodside

Last Updated September 9, 2024

ADU Contact:

Contact Planning Department: (650) 851-6796

Standards	Details
Zones allowed	All residential and commercial zones (R-1, SR, RR, SCP-5/7.5/10, and CC)
Lot Restrictions	At least one ADU, up to 800 sf is permitted; square footage over 800 sf counts towards the maximum allowable main residence size if attached, and Total Floor Area (TFA) for the property. In lieu of a JADU, parcels larger than one acre can have two ADUs based on lot size and floor area requirements. All lots can have at least one JADU and one ADU.
Minimum Lot Size	None
Min/Max ADU Size	Min: Minimum allowed by Building Code Max ADU: 1500 square feet (subject to total floor area allowed for parcel) Max JADU: 500 square feet
ADU Building Height	Attached: same a primary structure Detached: 17 feet, 18 feet if proposed over a detached garage
Setbacks	Larger than 800 square feet, same as primary dwelling. Front: 30-50 feet, Sides: 5-50 feet, Rear: 25-50 feet. Check specific zoning district requirement for specific lot requirements. Smaller than 800 square feet. side and rear: 4 feet. Front: same as primary dwelling. *If the proposed ADU is less than 800 sf and does not fit within the rear or side yard, it may encroach in the front setback.
Parking Requirements	JADUs: No parking required ADUs: One spot may be required if one bedroom or more(tandem allowed). No parking required if: ½ mile walking distance from public transit, in a historic district, or one block from a car-share vehicle ADU is part of existing main residence or accessory structure on-street parking permits are required, but not offered to occupants of ADUs
Owner Occupancy	JADUs: Required. ADUs: Not required *Not required if owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing org.
Sample fees from recent permits	ADU – 1,493 sf, detached: $20,700 *No Town building permit/inspection fees are required
Other requirements	Portions of ADUs that are over 800 square feet conform to all development standards in the zoning district in which they are proposed (e.g., portions of ADUs over 800 square feet may encroach into basic setback requirements). ADU shall comply with Fire District and Building Department regulations. Contact Woodside Fire Protection District and Woodside Building Department Limitations to septic installation may apply. Contact Town of Woodside and San Mateo County Department of Environmental Health ADU shall have all utility connects prescribed by CBC/CRC. Conversion of existing historical structures into ADUs is encouraged by the Town if the project complies with all applicable Zoning and Building Codes, and the California Secretary of Interior Standards for Historical Resources.
Process	Stand alone proposed JADUs, and/or ADUs are reviewed by all Town departments with submitted construction permit applications (building/site development). General construction applications require review by the Town of Woodside, Woodside Fire Protection District, and San Mateo County Environmental Health.
Exceptions	May exceed 17 feet in height, but might require increased setbacks.

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