2025 California ADU handbook — 2025 California ADU Handbook (HCD)

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Table of Contents ¶

ADUs in California ............................................................................................................................. 4 The California Department of Housing and Community Development .......................................... 6 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Summary of Recent Changes to ADU Law ..................................................................................... 13 Frequently Asked Questions…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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ADUs in California ¶

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are innovative and effective options for adding much needed housing in California. Since 2016, State ADU Laws have continued to evolve to further lower barriers to the development of more affordable housing as the Legislature works to address the housing crisis across the state. As these laws change, HCD’s goal is to ensure consistency and clarity in the application of these laws through education, technical assistance, and enforcement. [1] Benefits of ADUs ADUs provide a wide range of benefits, including: - ADUs are…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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The California Department of Housing and Community Development ¶

With the vision that one day, every California resident can live, work, and play in healthy communities of opportunity, it is the mission of HCD to provide safe, affordable homes and vibrant, inclusive, sustainable communities for all Californians. HCD accomplishes this by increasing and preserving the supply of affordable places to live in California and by creating effective solutions to the housing crisis through policy and research. Housing Accountability Unit California’s housing crisis has reached historic proportions despite the passage of numerous laws intended to increase the supply…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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Glossary ¶

66323 Units One of the four delineated types of ADUs (and JADUs) that must be permitted pursuant to Government Code section 66323. Source: Government Code section 66323 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) An attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is, or will be, situated. An ADU also…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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Summary of Recent Changes to ADU Law ¶

In Government Code section 66310, subdivision (d), the California Legislature declared that allowing ADUs in zones that allow single-family and multifamily uses provides additional rental housing and is an essential component in addressing California’s housing needs. Over the years, State ADU Law has been revised to improve its effectiveness in creating more housing units. Major changes to State ADU Law, effective January 1, 2023, January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, further reduced barriers to the development of ADUs and JADUs. Within this context, HCD developed – and continues to update –…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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Frequently Asked Questions ¶

66323 Units What are “66323 Units”? HCD uses the term “66323 Units” to refer to ADUs and JADUs that are created pursuant to Government Code section 66323. They have also been referred to as “State mandated” or “State exempt” ADUs. Government Code section 66323 creates four categories of ADUs (and JADUs) that must be approved ministerially and are not subject to standards set forth in Government Code sections 66314-66322. For example, 66323 Units do not have to comply with lot coverage, front setbacks, and design standards. However, these ADUs must comply with building code and health and…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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Resources ¶

Changes to State ADU Laws AB 2533 AB 2533 (Chapter 834, Statutes of 2024) made various changes to State ADU Law (Gov. Code, § 66332) regarding unpermitted ADUs and goes into effect on January 1, 2025. This bill: Prohibits a local agency from requiring a homeowner to pay impact fees or connection or capacity charges except under specified circumstances. 46 SB 1211 SB 1211 (Chapter 296, Statutes of 2024) made various changes to State ADU Law (Gov. Code, §§ 66313, 66314, 66323) with regard to replacement parking and 66323 Units on lots with existing or proposed multifamily dwellings and goes…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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Table of Contents ¶

ADUs in California ¶

The California Department of Housing and Community Development ¶

Glossary ¶

Summary of Recent Changes to ADU Law ¶

Frequently Asked Questions ¶

Resources ¶

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ¶