Overview
Sacramento is located in Sacramento County in California. Sacramento has a total
population of 466488 over a land mass of 97.92 Square Miles. When it comes to
ADUs, the city allows for 1+ ADUs on a given property, and a square footage of
850-1,000 sf
Types of ADUs Allowed
Detached, Junior, Attached
Number of ADUs allowed
Under state law, each single-family home may now build at least one Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU). Owner occupied single-family lots may build one Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU) and one Junior ADU. Multi-family lots, per every four
existing residential units, may build one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), so long
as the existing units were legally established.
Property Requirements
Single-family and multi-family Properties will be approved to build up to 850
square feet for a one bedroom ADU or up to 1,000 square feet for a two bedroom
ADU, regardless of the underlying zoning standards of the property. A Junior
Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU) up to 500 square feet is approved. The minimum
size of any living unit (including ADUs and Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit
(JADU)s) is 150 square feet according to Califronia Residential Code. ~ AB-68
Types of ADUs Allowed
Attached ADU
An attached ADU is one that is attached to your house. Also know as Addition ADUs or “bump-out ADUs. These types of ADUs can be accessed from the primary house with a door in the connection point, but also can be independent of the main home.
Detached ADU
A detached ADU is not connected to your primary house. The dwelling needs to be within your property setbacks and allowable building size (both height and square footage).
Junior ADU
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are named this way because they are small (up to 500 square feet).
In California, the recent state bills
AB68 and
AB 881 permits both an ADU and a Junior ADU (JADU) on the same lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. This means you can have two units on your lot: ADU, and JADU.
Property Requirements
Ownership
Owner-occupancy will not be required for new Accessory Dwelling Units
(conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ SB-13
Number of ADUs Allowed
Under state law, each single-family home may now build at least one Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU). Owner occupied single-family lots may build one Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU) and one Junior ADU. Multi-family lots, per every four
existing residential units, may build one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), so long
as the existing units were legally established.
ADU Size
Single family and multi-family residential parcels will not be subject to the
minimum lot size of the underlying zoning district or by ordinance for Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU) projects. ~ Updated: State Law AB-68
Parking
Replacement parking shall not apply to properties which convert an existing
garage to an ADU or Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU). ~ AB68 & AB881 Update
Height
The maximum height is of an ADU shall be that of the underlying zone. The Zoning
Administrator may approve a residential accessory dwelling which exceeds these
standards provided the proposed height will not adversely affect adjoining
residentially zoned property, and further provided that the residential
accessory dwelling does not exceed the allowable height of the primary
residential structure on the lot.
Fire Safety
Fire sprinklers are required if fire sprinklers are existing or would be
required for the primary home.
Utility Connections
Public sewer and water facilities shall be provided in the RD zones.
Aesthetic
The ADU unit shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the primary
single-unit dwelling and the surrounding neighborhood in terms of scale;
massing; and color, material, and texture of all exterior materials, including
the roof, siding, window types, detailing, and trim. New ADU units should use
universal access design features, including “no step” entrances, where
topography and site constraints allow. No portion of a ADU unit balcony, deck,
or open-stair landing that faces the rear lot line or the side lot line nearest
to the ADU unit shall be higher than three feet from the ground. For ADU units
that do not meet the zoning designation’s setback requirements for the primary
dwelling unit, no portion of any window that faces the lot line where the
setback requirement for the primary dwelling unit is not met may extend above 10
feet from the ground.
Set backs
The maximum required setback for a detached new construction Accessory Dwelling
Unit shall be no more than 4 feet from the rear and side property lines.
Setbacks will not be required for Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory
Dwelling Units converted from existing space that was legally eastablished.
Attached Accessory Dwelling Units and conversions from existing space to be
expanded will be required to comply with the setbacks of the underlying zone. ~
AB68
Design Review
The design of the ADU unit shall conform to the design guidelines applicable to
the lot on which the ADU unit is located. If the design of the primary
single-unit dwelling or surrounding neighborhood conflict with the applicable
design guidelines, the design guidelines control.
Next Steps
To get started on your ADU, here are some first steps.
Call Your City
Search Google for your city’s contact number. eg “City of {Phoenix} Residential Permits Contact Number”
You can call the main line and get directed to the permitting department.
Ask these questions...
1) Can I put a secondary home on my lot (Accessory Dwelling Unit)?
2) What are my livable setbacks, and ADU size regulations?
3) Can I put a prefabricated guest house on my property?
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