Camarillo Municipal Code Ch. 19.56 Accessory Dwelling Units

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 12, 2020, repealed the former Ch. 19.56, §§ 19.56.010—19.56.130, and enacted a new Ch. 56 as set out herein. The former Ch. 19.56 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 1173, § 3(Exh. A), adopted June 10, 2020; Ord. No. 1178, § 4D, adopted April 28, 2021; Ord. No. 1188, § 3H, adopted Dec. 8, 2021.

The city recognizes the importance of affordable housing and an attractive, suitable living environment for all residents. The state legislature has declared that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a valuable form of housing in California. This chapter adopts applicable law, including, without limitation, Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code, except Government Code section 66342, as may be amended from time to time, which impose a state mandate that the city implement regulations governing ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units. It is the intent of this chapter to permit ADUs, in conformance with state law, in designated zones subject to such local standards that will ensure the units contribute to a suitable living environment for people of all ages and economic levels, while preserving the integrity and character of residential neighborhoods in a manner consistent with the city's general plan, including the community design element.

For ADUs or junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) meeting the requirements of California Government Code section 66323, Section 19.56.090 of this chapter will apply. For ADUs not meeting the requirements of California Government Code section 66323, all other standards of this chapter are applicable.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

The following terms when used in this chapter will have the meanings provided in this section:

"Accessory dwelling unit" or "ADU" means a 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 that may be either a single-family or multifamily dwelling. An ADU must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel that the single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated. An accessory dwelling unit also includes: (a) an "efficiency unit" as defined in Health and Safety Code section 17958.1; and (b) a "manufactured home" as defined in Health and Safety Code section 18007.

"Accessory structure" means a structure that is accessory and incidental to a dwelling located on the same lot.

"Attached ADU" means an ADU that:

1. Shares at least one common wall with the primary dwelling unit at least ten feet in length; and

2. Is not fully contained within the existing space of the primary dwelling unit.

"Detached ADU" means an ADU that does not share a common wall with the primary dwelling unit and is not an internal ADU.

"Internal ADU" means an ADU that is fully contained within the existing space of the primary dwelling unit or an accessory structure.

"Junior ADU" or "JADU" means an ADU that is no more than five hundred square feet in size and contained entirely within a primary dwelling unit.

"Livable space" means a space in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation.

"Public transit" means the Camarillo Metrolink station, or a fixed bus route with regular service covering a significant portion of the city that is not a subscription service.

"Two-story attached ADU" means an attached ADU that is configured as either:

1. Two stories of living space or a structure more than sixteen feet tall attached to the primary dwelling unit; or

2. Located on the second story above the ground floor of the primary single-family residence.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. When Consistent With Standards.

1. An ADU that complies with all standards in this chapter will be approved ministerially with an administrative zone clearance. No discretionary review or public hearing is required.

2. If a single-family or multifamily dwelling exists on the parcel upon which an ADU is proposed, the city will approve or deny an application to create an ADU within sixty days from the date the city receives a completed application. If the applicant requests a delay in writing, the sixty-day time period will be tolled for the period of the delay.

a. The city has approved or denied the application if it:

1. Approves the administrative permit for the ADU; or

2. Provides the applicant a full set of comments in writing with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant.

3. If the ADU application is submitted with a permit application to create a new single-family or multifamily dwelling on the parcel, the city may delay approving or denying the ADU application until the city approves or denies the permit application for the new single-family or multifamily dwelling.

B. When Dependent on Separate Construction. When a proposed ADU is dependent on the construction of a new single-family or multifamily dwelling on the same lot which is not a part of the ADU ("separate construction"), the city will either:

1. Review and approve or deny the ADU application only after approving or denying an application for the proposed separate construction; or

2. Upon written request from the applicant, review and approve or deny the ADU application together with the separate construction application. In this case, the ADU is subject to ministerial review, but may not be approved until after the approval of the separate construction application and may not be occupied until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the separate construction. In the case of a denial, the city will inform the applicant in writing and articulate the changes to the proposed ADU application that are necessary to comply with this chapter.

C. Variance from Standards. No variance from any requirement of this chapter may be approved, nor will any application for such a variance be accepted for processing through administrative review of an ADU by the community development department. Should a variance from any requirement of this chapter be requested, review of the application by the planning commission will be required pursuant to Chapter 19.66 of this code.

D. Unpermitted Accessory Dwelling Units or Unpermitted Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. Applications for a permit for a previously unpermitted ADU or JADU will be processed pursuant to California Government Code section 66332.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

ADUs are permitted:

A. In any district where single-family or multifamily dwellings are a permitted use; and

B. On any legal lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024)

A. Single-Family Parcel.

1. One internal or attached ADU, or one JADU, is permitted per parcel with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling.

2. One detached, new construction or conversion of an existing structure, ADU is permitted for a parcel with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. The detached ADU may be combined only with a JADU as provided in subsection (A)(1) above.

B. Multifamily Parcel.

1. At least one internal ADU is permitted within an existing multifamily dwelling structure up to a maximum of twenty-five percent of the existing number of multifamily units within the portions of an existing multifamily dwelling structure that are not used as livable space; and

2. Not more than two detached ADUs may be located on a parcel that has a proposed multifamily dwelling.

3. On a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not more than eight detached accessory dwelling units. However, the number of detached accessory dwelling units shall not exceed the number of existing units on the lot.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

The following development standards apply to ADUs:

A. Maximum Size.

1. The maximum size of an attached ADU with one bedroom or less may not exceed eight hundred fifty square feet.

2. The maximum size of an attached ADU with more than one bedroom may not exceed one thousand square feet, or one thousand two hundred square feet if the lot is one or more acres in size.

3. The maximum size of a detached ADU is as follows:

(a) Eight hundred fifty square feet if one bedroom or less;

(b) One thousand square feet if more than one bedroom, or one thousand two hundred square feet if the lot is one or more acres in size; or

(c) Eight hundred square feet if combined on a lot with a JADU.

B. Minimum Size. The minimum size of an internal, attached, or detached ADU must be no less than the minimum size necessary for the creation of an efficiency unit.

C. Maximum Height.

1. A detached ADU may not exceed sixteen feet in height, as measured from finished grade, on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit.

2. A detached ADU may not exceed eighteen feet in height as measured from finished grade on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit that is within a half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor, as those terms are defined in Section 21155 of the California Public Resources Code. Additionally, within a half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor an additional two feet in height shall be allowed to accommodate a roof pitch on the accessory dwelling unit that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit.

3. A detached ADU may not exceed eighteen feet in height as measured from finished grade for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily, multistory dwelling.

4. No ADU may be more than twenty-five feet in height as measured from finished grade for an ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling. No ADU may exceed two-stories.

D. Setbacks and Lot Coverage.

1. An ADU must conform to the development standards for the underlying zone, including, but not limited to, standards for front, rear and side setbacks of at least four feet, and lot coverage. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, no applicable lot coverage, floor area ratio, front setbacks, or private open space standards will prohibit an ADU that does not exceed eight hundred square feet of floor area and has four-foot side and rear yard setbacks, provided the ADU complies with all other applicable standards of this chapter. An ADU that is permitted to encroach into a required front yard setback may not encroach into such setback beyond that required to maintain an 800-square-foot ADU.

2. No additional setback is required for an existing living area or an accessory structure that is converted into an ADU or a portion of an ADU.

E. Building and Other Related Codes. An ADU must comply with all applicable building, health and fire codes, except that an ADU is not required to provide fire sprinklers if sprinklers are not required for the primary dwelling unit. Additionally, the construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in an existing multifamily dwelling.

F. Driveway Access. An ADU must be served by the same driveway access to the street as the existing primary dwelling unit, unless the ADU has access from a public alley contiguous to the lot, or is located on a corner lot for which secondary access is permitted for parking outside the street side setback. No vehicular access via a bridle trail is permitted.

G. Entrances. An attached or internal ADU must have a separate entrance to the ADU, which must be located on the side or at the rear of the primary dwelling unit and may also be served by a common entrance with the primary dwelling unit. No ADU will be required to provide a new passageway from the ADU to the street.

H. Expansion of Existing Structure. An internal ADU may include an expansion of not more than one hundred fifty square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing primary dwelling or accessory structure; provided, however, any expansion beyond the physical dimensions of the existing primary dwelling or accessory structure will be limited to accommodating ingress and egress.

I. Exterior Stairs. Exterior stairs should be located at the side or the rear of the primary dwelling to limit visibility from any public street.

J. Manufactured Homes and Prefabricated Homes.

1. A manufactured home is allowed as an ADU provided that it meets the following requirements:

(a) is built on a permanent chassis;

(b) is designed for use as a single-family dwelling with or without a foundation when connected to the required utilities; and

(c) includes plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems within the home.

2. A prefabricated or modular home is allowed as an ADU.

K. Other Buildings and Structures. Any other building or structure constructed on the lot concurrent with or subsequent to the construction of an ADU under this chapter must comply with all applicable development standards of this title.

L. Replacing or Converting Existing Structures.

1. An internal ADU may be constructed within the existing structure regardless of whether such structure conforms to the current zoning requirement for building separation or setbacks.

2. If an existing structure is demolished and replaced with an ADU, an ADU may be constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as the demolished structure.

3. If any portion of an existing structure crosses a property line, the structure may not be converted to or replaced with an ADU. For an existing structure within four feet of a property line, the applicant must submit a survey demonstrating that the structure does not cross the property line.

M. Utility Services.

1. All ADUs must be connected to public utilities, including water, electric, and sewer (or on-site septic) services and all such connections are subject to state law and the requirements of the serving utility provider.

2. Except as provided in subsection (3) below, the city may require the installation of a new or separate utility connection between the ADU and the utility. The connection fee or capacity charge must be proportionate to the burden of the proposed ADU based on either its square feet or the number of drainage fixture unit values as defined in the Uniform Plumbing Code.

3. No separate connection between an ADU and the utility will be required for an internal ADU within a single-family dwelling, unless the ADU is being constructed in connection with a new single-family dwelling.

N. Additions to Historic Structures. A building addition to a designated historic resource or potential historic resource, as defined in Chapter 16.42 (Historic Preservation), for an attached ADU must be inset or separated by a connector that is offset at least eighteen inches from the parallel side or rear building wall to distinguish it from the historic structure.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024)

Design of an attached or detached ADU will be administratively reviewed by the community development department under the following objective standards:

A. The color, slope, and material of the roof must be the same as the primary dwelling unit.

B. The color and material of all building walls must be the same as the primary dwelling unit.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024)

A. Number. The parking requirement for an attached or detached ADU is one open or enclosed parking space per unit. No additional parking, or reconfiguration of existing parking on the lot, is required for an internal ADU.

B. Location. Required parking spaces may be provided as tandem parking on a driveway. Off-street parking is permitted in setback areas in locations determined by the city or through tandem parking, unless specific findings are made that parking in setback areas or tandem parking is not feasible based upon specific site or regional topographical or fire and life safety conditions.

C. Exemptions. No parking is required for an ADU in any of the following instances:

1. The ADU is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit.

2. The ADU is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.

3. The ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary residence.

4. The ADU is a conversion of an existing permitted accessory structure.

5. When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the ADU.

6. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU.

7. When a permit application for an accessory dwelling unit is submitted with a permit application to create a new single-family dwelling or a new multifamily dwelling on the same lot, provided that the accessory dwelling unit or the parcel satisfies any other exemption criteria listed in this section.

D. Conversion of Existing Parking Structures. When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU or converted to an ADU, replacement parking stalls are not required for the demolished or converted parking structure.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

Notwithstanding all other provisions of this chapter, the city shall ministerially approve an application for a building permit within a residential or mixed-use zone to create any of the following:

A. One accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit per lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling if all of the following apply:

1. The accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure and may include an expansion of not more than one hundred fifty square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing accessory structure. An expansion beyond the physical dimensions of the existing accessory structure shall be limited to accommodating ingress and egress.

2. The space has exterior access from the proposed or existing single-family dwelling.

3. The side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire and safety.

4. The junior accessory dwelling unit complies with the requirements of Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.

B. One detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed four-foot side and rear yard setbacks for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. The accessory dwelling unit may be combined with a junior accessory dwelling unit described in paragraph (A). The following conditions apply to an accessory dwelling unit proposed pursuant to this paragraph (B):

1. A total floor area of not more than eight hundred square feet.

2. A maximum height as provided in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of California Government Code section 66321, as applicable.

C. Multiple accessory dwelling units within the portions of existing multifamily dwelling structures that are not used as livable space, including, but not limited to, storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements, or garages, if each unit complies with state building standards for dwellings. The city shall allow at least one accessory dwelling unit within an existing multifamily dwelling and shall allow up to twenty-five percent of the existing multifamily dwelling units.

D. Multiple accessory dwelling units, not to exceed the number specified below, as applicable, that are located on a lot that has an existing or proposed multifamily dwelling, but are detached from that multifamily dwelling and are subject to a height limitation in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of California Government Code section 66321, as applicable, and rear yard and side setbacks of no more than four feet.

1. On a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not more than eight detached accessory dwelling units. However, the number of accessory dwelling units allowable pursuant to this clause shall not exceed the number of existing units on the lot.

2. On a lot with a proposed multifamily dwelling, not more than two detached accessory dwelling units.

3. If the existing multifamily dwelling has a rear or side setback of less than four feet, the city shall not require any modification of the existing multifamily dwelling as a condition of approving the application to construct an accessory dwelling unit that satisfies the requirements of this section.

E. The city shall not impose any objective development or design standard that is not authorized by this Section 19.56.090 upon any accessory dwelling unit that meets the requirements of this section.

F. The city shall not require, as a condition for ministerial approval of a permit application for the creation of an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit, the correction of nonconforming zoning conditions.

G. The installation of fire sprinklers shall not be required in an accessory dwelling unit if sprinklers are not required for the primary residence. The construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing multifamily dwelling.

H. The rental of any accessory dwelling unit created pursuant to this section must be for a term longer than thirty days.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

A. Number. One JADU is permitted per residential lot zoned for single-family dwelling units with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling.

B. Size. A JADU may have a maximum size of five hundred square feet and must be contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family dwelling. For purposes of this section, enclosed uses within the residence, such as attached garages, are considered a part of the proposed or existing single-family residence.

C. Entrance. A JADU must include a separate entrance from the main entrance to the primary residence.

D. Kitchen. A JADU must include an efficiency kitchen that includes the following:

1. A cooking facility with appliances (which must include, at minimum, a sink and a refrigerator); and

2. A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the JADU.

E. Owner Occupancy. Prior to occupancy of the JADU, the applicant shall record a deed restriction, which shall run with the land, and file such deed restriction with the city. The deed restriction shall: (1) prohibit the sale of the JADU separate from the sale of the single-family residence, (2) restrict the size and attributes of the JADU to that permitted by the city, (3) provide that the property owner will live on site (subject to certain temporary exceptions such as a medical or business necessity), except that the owner-occupancy requirement shall not apply if the JADU includes separate sanitation facilities that are not shared with the single-family dwelling unit, and (4) provide a statement that the deed restriction may be enforced against future purchasers. This section and the owner-occupancy requirement does not apply if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.

F. Parking. No additional parking is required for a JADU.

G. Sanitation. A JADU may, but is not required to, include separate sanitation facilities. If separate sanitation facilities are not provided, the JADU must share sanitation facilities with the single-family dwelling unit and must have direct access to the residence from the interior of the JADU.

H. State Law. A JADU must comply with the requirements of Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.

I. Rental. All rentals of JADUs must be for a term longer than thirty days.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024; Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025; Ord. No. 2039, § 4(Exh. A), 6-10-2026)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), adopted May 14, 2025, repealed § 19.56.110, which pertained to deed restrictions and derived from Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024.

Except as expressly provided in this chapter, to the extent that any provisions of this code conflict with any provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter will control. To the extent any provisions of this chapter conflict with state law, the mandatory requirements of state law will control, but only to the extent legally required.

(Ord. No. 2001, § 3(Exh. A), 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 2018, § 4(Exh. A), 2-14-2024)