Accessory Dwelling Units

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit, also known as a granny or in-law unit, is a living unit that is an accessory use to a single-family or multifamily residential building, wherever such developments are permitted. An ADU is required to provide permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking facilities, and sanitation, and meet other requirements as stipulated by the Department of Public Works, Building and Safety Division and Fire Departments.

What is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)?

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a dwelling unit with independent exterior access that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family residence, including an attached garage. A JADU may include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the single-family residence. The proposed JADU or the single-family residence must be owner-occupied.

Is an ADU allowed on my property?

An ADU is allowed if a legal single-family or multifamily residential building exists on the property, or a single-family residence is proposed to be built concurrently with the ADU.

An ADU is not allowed if the property is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and does not have two means of access to a highway. Access must be 24 ft. wide, not including sidewalks, and unobstructed from the lot to the highway. Access must be paved in Hillside Management Areas. Each means of access must be built to public street standards approved by Public Works.

ADU

What types of projects are allowed?

The following types of ADUs are permitted. Please see the ADU Ordinance Summary / Resumen de la Ordenanza de ADU (español) for more information and development standards.