Accessory Dwelling Unit

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an additional or independent living facility required to provide provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. It can be detached (separated from primary residence) or attached (sharing walls(s) with the primary residence). An existing space such as a garage, storage building, or an attached room can be re-purposed as an ADU. ADUs are subject to separate life, safety, and fire hazard regulations from the main dwelling.

An accessory dwelling unit is broadly defined as a detached or attached dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons and that includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, and cooking. An accessory dwelling unit shall be located on the same parcel as the primary dwelling unit and may be attached, detached or converted from an existing structure.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a separate living facility within an existing single or multi-family dwelling that has its own entrance and cooking facilities but not necessarily required to have its own private bathroom. A sink can be installed but the sanitation facilities can be shared with the primary structure. Unlike ADUs, JADUs are considered part of the main structure and not considered a separate unit for life, safety, and fire hazard regulations. As such, a soundproof fire rated wall separating it from the main dwelling is not requiredd.

A junior accessory dwelling unit is no more than 500 square feet or less and entirely contained within the main residential unit and no more than 16 feet in height. Can only add up to 150 square feet to an existing single-family structure. A junior accessory dwelling unit shall be located on the same parcel as the primary dwelling unit. Only one junior accessory dwelling unit shall be allowed per parcel.

Garage Conversion to ADU Program

Adaptive reuse is a concept used as early as 1970's for the process of repurposing existing buildings to encourage sustainable development through conversion while minimizing reconstruction and demolition waste. In response to the Board of Supervisors Emergency Declaration to alleviate the housing crisis, Building and Safety Division is currently promoting adaptive reuse of existing garages into new accessory dwelling units through an expedited permit processing using standardized sheets, pre-construction meetings, and construction guide.

Movable Tiny House (MTH)

A Moveable Tiny House is an enclosed space intended for separate, independent living quarters of one family and meets all of the following:

• Is licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles;

• Meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 requirements or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192 standards, and is certified for ANSI or NFPA compliance. A 3rd party inspection agency (Design Approval Agency/Quality Assurance Agency) shall certify the MTH meets this requirement (List of approved 3rd party Design Approval Agencies (DAA) and Quality Assurance Agencies (QAA));

• Cannot move under its own power;

• Is no larger than allowed by California State Law for movement on public highways; and

• Is no smaller than 150 and larger than 430 square feet as measured within the exterior faces of the exterior walls.

Development Standards and Requirements

ADUs, JADUs, and MTHs are allowed in any zone that allows for residential use by right. Parking for a newly constructed ADU is not required when it is located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit. Replacement parking is not required when covered parking is removed in conjunction with the construction of the ADU.

ADUs are required to comply with all applicable Zoning, Building, and Residential Codes. Fire sprinklers are not required if they are not required for the primary residence. Solar panels will be required for newly constructed, detached ADUs.

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