Overview
Santa Clarita is located in Los Angeles County in California. Santa Clarita has
a total population of 176320 over a land mass of 52.72 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
According to state law, all single-family homes are allowed at least one
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Additionally, single-family lots which are
owner-occupied may create one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and one Junior ADU.
Also, multi-family lots may now add one ADU per every four existing residential
units, so long as they were legally established.
Property Requirements
Residential properties will be allowed to build up to 850 sq. ft. for a one
bedroom ADU or up to 1,000 sq. ft. for a two bedroom ADU, regardless of the
underlying zoning standards of the property. A Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit
(JADU) is allowed up to 500 sq. ft.. According to Califronia Residential Code,
the minimum size of any living unit is 150 sq. ft. (including Accessory Dwelling
Unit (ADU)s and Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU)s). ~ Updated: State Law
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 Unit (ADU)s
(conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ SB13 Update
Number of ADUs Allowed
According to state law, all single-family homes are allowed at least one
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Additionally, single-family lots which are
owner-occupied may create one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and one Junior ADU.
Also, multi-family lots may now add one ADU per every four existing residential
units, so long as they were legally established.
ADU Size
Residential lots will not be subject to any minimum lot size for Accessory
Dwelling Unit (ADU)s by ordinance or of the underlying zoning district. ~
Updated: State Law AB-68
Parking
Parcels which convert an existing garage to an ADU or Junior ADU will not be
subject to replacement parking requirements. ~ AB-68
Height
The maximum height of an ADU is not specified in the state standards. If ADU
maximum height is not established locally, the height limitations of the
underlying zone shall apply. ~ State Standards
Fire Safety
Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers unless
they are also required for the primary dwelling. ~ State Standards
Utility Connections
Connection and utility fees shall be reasonable, and shall not be
disproportionately higher than those to develop primary dwellings, so as not to
deter the development of ADUs. If a private sewage disposal system is used, such
as a septic system, review and approval by a local health officer may be
required. ~ State Standards
Aesthetic
Specific design styles and restrictions are not specified under State Standards.
Passageways shall not be required in conjunction with the construction of an
accessory dwelling unit. ~ State Standards
Set backs
Setbacks for a detached new construction ADU shall be no more than 4 feet from
the rear and side lot lines. No setbacks shall be required for ADUs and Junior
Accessory Dwelling Units converted from legally eastablished existing space.
Attached new construction ADUs and conversions from existing space to be
expanded must comply with the setbacks of the underlying zone. ~ AB68
Design Review
The municipality shall provide a ministerial review process which is not based
on a discretionary approval for an ADU. The process shall take no less than 120
days. Valid applications submitted for ADUs, if not approved or denied within
120 days from submission, shall be considered approved. ~ State Standards
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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