Data Resource

California ADU Laws by City: Complete Comparison

Every California city's ADU regulations in one place. Max size, setbacks, permit fees, build costs, and rental income for all 100 cities. Click any column header to sort.

All data sourced from official city planning departments. Last verified March 2026.

100 of 100 cities

City↕	County↕	Max Detached↓	JADU Max↕	Rear Setback↕	Max Height↕	Permit Fees↕	Build Cost↕	Rental/mo↕	Details
Menifee	Riverside	1,500 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached; up to 25 ft if attached; height limits do not apply to conversions	$5,500 – $11,000	$135,000 – $275,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 25 ft if attached to primary	$5,000 – $25,000	$150,000 – $450,000	$1,800 – $4,500	View
San Diego	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	None for ADUs 16 ft tall or less outside High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; otherwise 4 ft	Up to two stories for detached ADUs on single-family lots, within the base and overlay zone height limit	$4,000 – $18,000	$160,000 – $480,000	$1,600 – $4,000	View
San Jose	Santa Clara	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	None for a one-story detached ADU covering 40% or less of the rear yard; otherwise 4 ft, and 4 ft for any second story	18 ft (one-story detached); 24 ft (two-story detached); attached ADUs follow the main home's height limit	$5,000 – $20,000	$200,000 – $550,000	$2,200 – $5,500	View
Fresno	Fresno	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,000 – $10,000	$90,000 – $200,000	$900 – $1,600	View
Sacramento	Sacramento	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Same as the underlying zone (for example, 35 ft in R-1)	$3,500 – $15,000	$130,000 – $380,000	$1,400 – $3,200	View
Long Beach	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached; 18 ft within 1/2 mile walking distance of major transit or on a lot with a multi-story multifamily dwelling; attached per state law	$4,500 – $18,000	$150,000 – $420,000	$1,700 – $3,800	View
Bakersfield	Kern	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$3,500 – $9,000	$85,000 – $190,000	$850 – $1,500	View
Anaheim	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached, single-family lot); 18 ft plus 2 ft for roof pitch for detached ADUs on multifamily lots	$6,000 – $14,000	$140,000 – $300,000	$1,600 – $2,800	View
Stockton	San Joaquin	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (one-story detached) or 25 ft (two-story detached); 18 ft near major transit or with a multistory multifamily building; +2 ft allowed to match the primary roof pitch	$3,500 – $9,000	$90,000 – $200,000	$1,000 – $1,700	View
Riverside	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft for one-story ADUs; ADUs over 16 ft must meet primary dwelling setbacks	Up to 30 ft; detached ADUs in the RC zone limited to 20 ft	$5,000 – $11,000	$110,000 – $240,000	$1,200 – $2,100	View
Irvine	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$8,000 – $18,000	$160,000 – $340,000	$2,000 – $3,200	View
Chula Vista	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile of transit, up to 20 ft to match the main home's roof pitch); attached 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is less	About $3,951 in city fees for a standard-plan detached ADU; custom plans cost more	$140,000 – $300,000	$1,600 – $2,700	View
Fremont	Alameda	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile of major transit); attached up to 30 ft or the zone height limit, whichever is lower, max two stories	$10,000 – $20,000	$200,000 – $420,000	$2,200 – $3,500	View
San Bernardino	San Bernardino	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,000 – $10,000	$100,000 – $220,000	$1,100 – $1,900	View
Fontana	San Bernardino	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,500 – $10,000	$110,000 – $230,000	$1,300 – $2,100	View
Moreno Valley	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,500 – $10,000	$110,000 – $230,000	$1,200 – $2,000	View
Oxnard	Ventura	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	25 ft and two stories (attached and detached)	$7,000 – $15,000	$150,000 – $320,000	$1,700 – $2,900	View
Huntington Beach	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$8,000 – $18,000	$175,000 – $380,000	$2,000 – $3,400	View
Elk Grove	Sacramento	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$5,000 – $11,000	$120,000 – $260,000	$1,300 – $2,100	View
Rancho Cucamonga	San Bernardino	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached), 18 ft within half a mile of major transit; 25 ft or match primary if attached	$7,000 – $14,000	$150,000 – $310,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Santa Rosa	Sonoma	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$8,000 – $16,000	$170,000 – $360,000	$1,700 – $2,900	View
Garden Grove	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft on a lot with a multistory multifamily building); attached up to 25 ft or the primary home's height limit, whichever is lower	$8,000 – $17,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
Oceanside	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); match primary if attached	$7,000 – $15,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,800 – $2,800/mo	View
Palmdale	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached), 18 ft within half a mile walking distance of transit; match primary structure height if attached	$5,000 – $11,000	$130,000 – $270,000	$1,200 – $1,900/mo	View
Corona	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Per zone, but at least 16 ft must be allowed (state law: 18 ft near major transit; attached up to 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower)	$6,000 – $13,000	$145,000 – $300,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Lancaster	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft (detached), up to 20 ft to match the roof pitch of the main home; 25 ft (attached)	$4,500 – $9,500	$120,000 – $250,000	$1,100 – $1,800/mo	View
Salinas	Monterey	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Varies by zone (at least 16 ft for detached ADUs); confirm with a planner. Attached ADUs match the primary structure	$6,000 – $12,000	$155,000 – $310,000	$1,600 – $2,500/mo	View
Hayward	Alameda	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); match primary structure if attached	$9,000 – $18,000	$185,000 – $380,000	$1,900 – $3,000/mo	View
Pomona	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); match primary structure height if attached	$6,000 – $12,000	$140,000 – $290,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Sunnyvale	Santa Clara	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); match primary if attached	$11,000 – $22,000	$220,000 – $430,000	$2,400 – $3,800/mo	View
Escondido	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft for ADUs up to 800 sq ft; underlying zone setbacks for ADUs of 800 to 1,200 sq ft	16 ft (one story); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$7,000 – $14,000	$155,000 – $320,000	$1,600 – $2,600/mo	View
Torrance	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$9,000 – $18,000	$175,000 – $360,000	$1,900 – $3,000/mo	View
Fullerton	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Zone height limit for attached and detached ADUs; one story for ADUs built under the 800 sq ft allowance	$8,000 – $16,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
Visalia	Tulare	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$4,000 – $9,000	$120,000 – $250,000	$1,100 – $1,800/mo	View
Pasadena	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multistory lot, +2 ft for roof pitch near transit); attached up to 25 ft and two stories, or zone limit if lower	$5,000 – $22,000	$170,000 – $480,000	$1,800 – $4,200	View
Concord	Contra Costa	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within 1/2 mile of BART or Clayton Road or on multistory multifamily lots, plus up to 2 ft to match roof pitch; 25 ft attached (max two stories)	$8,000 – $16,000	$170,000 – $340,000	$1,800 – $2,800/mo	View
Santa Clara	Santa Clara	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft (one-story detached); 25 ft (1.5-story detached, the maximum); attached per primary home	$11,000 – $22,000	$220,000 – $430,000	$2,400 – $3,800/mo	View
Simi Valley	Ventura	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$7,000 – $14,000	$155,000 – $310,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
Vallejo	Solano	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$6,000 – $12,000	$155,000 – $310,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Berkeley	Alameda	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	20 ft (detached new construction)	$12,000 – $25,000	$230,000 – $450,000	$2,200 – $3,500/mo	View
Clovis	Fresno	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile walking distance of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor); 25 ft attached	$4,500 – $9,500	$120,000 – $250,000	$1,100 – $1,800/mo	View
Fairfield	Solano	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$5,500 – $11,000	$145,000 – $295,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Antioch	Contra Costa	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached	$7,000 – $13,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,500 – $2,300/mo	View
Carlsbad	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 to 20 ft near transit	$8,000 – $17,000	$175,000 – $360,000	$2,000 – $3,200/mo	View
Costa Mesa	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Up to two stories, not taller than the main home allowed on the lot; at least 18 ft (plus 2 ft to match roof pitch) always allowed; detached ADUs on multifamily lots 16 ft; attached 25 ft or zone limit, whichever is lower	$9,000 – $18,000	$175,000 – $360,000	$2,000 – $3,200/mo	View
Murrieta	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$6,000 – $12,000	$145,000 – $295,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Temecula	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor	$6,500 – $13,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,600 – $2,600/mo	View
Chico	Butte	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	25 ft (detached, on a lot with a single-family home); 16 ft (detached, on a multifamily lot); attached per the zone height limit	$5,000 – $10,000	$130,000 – $265,000	$1,200 – $1,900/mo	View
Daly City	San Mateo	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft detached (up to 20 ft to match the main home's roof pitch); attached up to primary structure height	$10,000 – $20,000	$210,000 – $420,000	$2,100 – $3,400/mo	View
El Cajon	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft at a 4 ft setback (20 ft at 5 ft, 12 ft at 3 ft); 18 ft on a lot with a two-story home	$6,500 – $13,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Rialto	San Bernardino	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft or one story, whichever is less	$5,000 – $10,500	$130,000 – $265,000	$1,300 – $2,000/mo	View
San Mateo	San Mateo	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft to top plate line and 24 ft to roof peak (detached); an 800 sq ft, 16 ft ADU with 4 ft setbacks is always allowed	$11,000 – $22,000	$220,000 – $430,000	$2,300 – $3,700/mo	View
Santa Maria	Santa Barbara	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft (detached, single-family lot); up to 20 ft to match the primary home's roof pitch; attached ADUs follow primary dwelling height standards	$5,000 – $10,000	$135,000 – $275,000	$1,200 – $2,000/mo	View
Vacaville	Solano	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached, single-family lot); 18 ft with a multistory multifamily building; +2 ft allowed to match the primary roof pitch	$5,500 – $11,000	$140,000 – $285,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Tracy	San Joaquin	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$5,000 – $10,000	$130,000 – $265,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Vista	San Diego	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$6,500 – $13,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,600 – $2,500/mo	View
Compton	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (state law allows 18 ft within 1/2 mile of major transit); attached up to 25 ft or the primary home height limit, whichever is lower	$7,000 – $13,500	$145,000 – $290,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Mission Viejo	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); may match primary if attached	$8,000 – $16,000	$165,000 – $335,000	$1,800 – $2,900/mo	View
Hesperia	San Bernardino	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft within half a mile of major transit); attached up to 25 ft or two stories	$4,000 – $8,500	$115,000 – $235,000	$1,100 – $1,700/mo	View
Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Standard ADU: match the primary unit, up to 30 ft; Special ADU (800 sq ft detached): 16 ft	$10,000 – $20,000	$200,000 – $400,000	$2,200 – $3,500/mo	View
Santa Monica	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	24 ft / 2 stories (detached); ADUs within or attached to the main home follow the underlying zone height limit	$6,000 – $28,000	$200,000 – $600,000	$2,500 – $6,000	View
Citrus Heights	Sacramento	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft detached (plus 2 ft to match the main home's roof pitch); 25 ft above a detached accessory structure; attached per zone	$5,500 – $11,000	$140,000 – $285,000	$1,300 – $2,100/mo	View
Livermore	Alameda	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$9,000 – $18,000	$180,000 – $365,000	$1,900 – $3,000/mo	View
San Leandro	Alameda	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 18 ft if within half-mile of major transit stop	$9,000 – $18,000	$175,000 – $360,000	$1,800 – $2,900/mo	View
Westminster	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$8,000 – $16,000	$165,000 – $335,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
Whittier	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft, plus 2 ft for roof pitch, within 1/2 mile of transit	$7,500 – $15,000	$155,000 – $315,000	$1,600 – $2,500/mo	View
Alhambra	Los Angeles	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	25 ft (up to two stories)	$7,500 – $15,000	$155,000 – $315,000	$1,600 – $2,600/mo	View
Hemet	Riverside	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,000 – $8,000	$110,000 – $225,000	$1,000 – $1,600/mo	View
Newport Beach	Orange	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$10,000 – $20,000	$200,000 – $410,000	$2,500 – $4,000/mo	View
Napa	Napa	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Per Gov. Code 66321(b)(4): 16 ft detached (18 ft near major transit), 25 ft attached; never more than two stories	$8,000 – $16,000	$175,000 – $355,000	$1,800 – $2,900/mo	View
Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	1,200 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	22 ft to the roof peak (detached, with 4 ft side and rear setbacks); attached ADUs follow the zone height limit for the main home	$9,000 – $18,000	$195,000 – $395,000	$1,900 – $3,100/mo	View
San Francisco	San Francisco	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft for detached ADUs under the State program; Local program ADUs follow zoning district rear yard rules	18 ft for detached ADUs under the State program, plus 2 ft to match the roof pitch of the main house	$8,000 – $35,000	$250,000 – $700,000	$2,500 – $6,500	View
Oakland	Alameda	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft, or the zone setback if less (never under 3 ft); 0 ft for conversions of existing structures	20 ft for a Category Two detached ADU (zone height limit applies if all regular zone setbacks are met); attached may match height of primary dwelling up to 25 ft	$5,000 – $22,000	$200,000 – $550,000	$2,000 – $5,000	View
Santa Ana	Orange	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	20 ft or two stories (detached)	$5,500 – $12,000	$120,000 – $260,000	$1,400 – $2,400	View
Santa Clarita	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within half a mile of a major transit stop, plus 2 ft for a 2:12 roof pitch	$7,000 – $16,000	$150,000 – $320,000	$1,700 – $2,800	View
Modesto	Stanislaus	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$3,500 – $8,500	$90,000 – $195,000	$950 – $1,650	View
Glendale	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (hillside overlay may restrict further)	$9,000 – $20,000	$160,000 – $370,000	$1,800 – $3,200	View
Ontario	San Bernardino	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft (none for conversions or same-footprint rebuilds)	16 ft detached; 18 ft within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor; up to 20 ft to match primary roof pitch	$4,500 – $10,500	$115,000 – $240,000	$1,300 – $2,100	View
Roseville	Placer	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$6,000 – $12,000	$155,000 – $310,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Orange	Orange	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$8,000 – $17,000	$165,000 – $340,000	$1,800 – $2,900/mo	View
Thousand Oaks	Ventura	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within half a mile of major transit, plus 2 ft to match the main roof pitch; attached ADUs up to 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower (state law)	$4,000 – $16,000	$150,000 – $400,000	$1,600 – $3,500	View
Victorville	San Bernardino	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); up to 25 ft if attached or above garage	$4,000 – $8,500	$115,000 – $240,000	$1,100 – $1,700/mo	View
Downey	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$7,000 – $14,000	$150,000 – $310,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
El Monte	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$6,500 – $13,000	$145,000 – $295,000	$1,400 – $2,100/mo	View
Richmond	Contra Costa	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within half a mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, plus 2 ft for roof pitch	$7,000 – $14,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,600 – $2,600/mo	View
Inglewood	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	One story and 16 ft (detached); up to the primary home's allowed height if attached	$8,000 – $16,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,700 – $2,800/mo	View
Jurupa Valley	Riverside	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); matches primary structure height limit if attached	$5,500 – $11,000	$130,000 – $270,000	$1,300 – $2,100/mo	View
Ventura	Ventura	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	18 ft (detached); up to 20 ft to match the primary roof pitch; attached ADUs and JADUs up to the zone height limit	$7,000 – $14,000	$160,000 – $325,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
West Covina	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft per the city ADU guide; state law allows 18 ft for detached ADUs near major transit and up to 25 ft (or the zone limit) for attached ADUs	$7,000 – $14,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,500 – $2,400/mo	View
Burbank	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	17 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile of transit); 20 ft plate / 23 ft overall above a garage; attached 20 ft plate / 30 ft overall	$9,000 – $18,000	$175,000 – $360,000	$1,900 – $3,100/mo	View
Norwalk	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft near major transit, plus up to 2 ft to match the roof pitch of the main home; up to primary structure height if attached	$7,000 – $14,000	$150,000 – $305,000	$1,500 – $2,300/mo	View
South Gate	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached), plus 2 ft to match the roof pitch of the main home where state law allows; higher limits near major transit per state law	$7,000 – $14,000	$145,000 – $295,000	$1,400 – $2,200/mo	View
Redding	Shasta	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,500 – $9,000	$120,000 – $245,000	$1,100 – $1,800/mo	View
Hawthorne	Los Angeles	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft and one story under local code; state law allows 18 ft near major transit and up to 25 ft for attached ADUs	$8,000 – $16,000	$160,000 – $330,000	$1,700 – $2,800/mo	View
Lake Forest	Orange	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft (detached); 18 ft within 1/2 mile of major transit, plus up to 2 ft to match the roof pitch of the main home	$8,000 – $16,000	$165,000 – $335,000	$1,800 – $2,900/mo	View
Lodi	San Joaquin	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$4,500 – $9,000	$120,000 – $245,000	$1,100 – $1,700/mo	View
Petaluma	Sonoma	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft detached (18 ft within half a mile of major transit; up to 21 ft with a 5 ft setback); attached 25 ft or the main home height, whichever is lower	$7,000 – $14,000	$165,000 – $330,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	Underlying zone height limit; 4 ft side and rear setbacks apply to detached ADUs up to 16 ft and attached ADUs up to 25 ft	$7,000 – $14,000	$170,000 – $345,000	$1,700 – $2,700/mo	View
Palm Springs	Riverside	1,000 sq ft	500 sq ft	4 ft	16 ft	$6,000 – $12,000	$155,000 – $315,000	$1,500 – $2,500/mo (long-term)	View

State Minimum

1,200 sq ft

California law prohibits cities from capping detached ADUs below 1,200 sq ft on lots over 6,000 sq ft.

Impact Fee Waiver

Under 750 sq ft

State law waives impact fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft, which can save $5,000–$30,000 in high-fee cities.

Permit Timeline

60-day max

State law requires cities to process ministerial ADU applications within 60 days of a complete submission.

ADU Comparison Questions Answered

Which California city allows the largest ADU?

State law prohibits California cities from capping detached ADUs below 1,200 sq ft on lots over 6,000 sq ft. Most cities allow up to 1,200 sq ft. Some may allow larger when calculating ADU size as a percentage of the primary home. Use the table above to compare city-by-city maximums.

Which California cities have the lowest ADU permit fees?

Smaller inland cities generally have lower permit fee ranges than coastal metros. The table is sortable by Permit Fees: click the column header to rank from lowest to highest and identify the most affordable cities for permitting.

Do all California cities require owner-occupancy for ADUs?

No. AB 976 permanently bars cities from requiring owners to live on site for an ADU. A JADU can require owner-occupancy only if it shares a bathroom with the main home. Check each city's individual regulation page for the current status.

How do setback requirements compare across California cities?

State law requires cities to allow at minimum 4 ft side and rear setbacks for new ADUs. Some cities allow less when converting existing structures (e.g., a garage that is already closer to the property line). Sort the table by Rear Setback to compare.

Which California cities are best for ADU rental income?

Coastal cities like Santa Monica, San Francisco, and Los Angeles command the highest monthly rents (often $2,500–$4,500/mo) but also carry the highest build costs. Inland cities like Sacramento and Fresno offer lower build costs with solid rental demand, often delivering faster payback periods.

Report

State of ADU in California 2026

Aggregated stats and trends across all 100 cities.

Index

California ADU Cost Index 2026

Build cost ranges ranked and broken down by county.

Ready to Build?

Get matched with licensed ADU contractors in your city. Free, no obligation.

Get Free Contractor Quotes