California ADU rules · Marin County
Can I Build an ADU in Corte Madera?
Yes — you can build an ADU in Corte Madera. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including Corte Madera, to approve a qualifying accessory dwelling unit by right, plus a junior ADU (JADU) on a single-family lot. What varies city to city are the local specifics below.
Can you build one?
ADUs allowed
CA state lawYes — by right
ADUs and JADUs are allowed by right in all residential and mixed-use zones; ministerial approval, no hearing.
Units on a single-family lot
CA state law1 ADU + 1 JADU
At least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot (a conversion ADU may also be possible).
Units on a multifamily lot
Local ruleconversions (>=1 or 25% of units) + up to 2 detached (proposed multifamily) or up to 8 detached (existing multifamily), not to exceed number of existing units
Local cap of 2 detached ADUs for proposed multifamily and 8 for existing multifamily, not to exceed number of existing units.
Junior ADU (JADU)
CA state lawAllowed
Up to 500 sq ft, within the walls of an existing single-family home (single-family lots only).
Size & height
Max detached ADU size
Local rule1,000 sq ft
Detached ADUs: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bed), 1,000 sq ft (2-bed); up to 1,200 sq ft with discretionary review.
Max attached ADU size
Local rulelesser of 50% of primary or 850/1,000 sq ft local max; must allow at least 800 sq ft
Attached ADUs capped at 850/1,000 sq ft unless discretionary review; must allow at least 800 sq ft.
Guaranteed minimum size
CA state law800 sq ft
An 800 sq ft ADU must be allowed regardless of FAR/lot-coverage caps; a city also cannot cap an attached ADU below 850 sq ft (1,000 for 2+ bedrooms).
Max JADU size
CA state law500 sq ft
Max height
Local rule25 ft
Detached: 16 ft standard, 18 ft near transit/multifamily, up to 20 ft in floodplain; attached/above garage: up to 25 ft or primary dwelling height, whichever is less.
Setbacks
Side setback
CA state law4 ft
A city cannot require more than 4 ft side or rear setback; conversions of existing structures are exempt.
Rear setback
CA state law4 ft
Front setback
CA state lawNo front setback may block the mandatory 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU; otherwise per base zone
Separation from main house
Local rule3 ft
Detached ADUs must be at least 3 ft from primary dwelling and other accessory structures.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleUp to 1 space
1 space per ADU unless exempt; exemptions include proximity to transit, historic district, conversions, etc.
Transit parking exemption
CA state lawYes — no parking required near transit & for conversions
No parking may be required within ½ mi walking distance of transit, in a historic district, for an ADU within an existing structure, within one block of car-share, or in certain permit-parking areas.
Garage-conversion replacement parking
Local ruleNot required
No replacement required for parking lost to ADU conversion or demolition.
Approval, timeline & cost
Approval path
CA state lawMinisterial (by right)
No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
Approval timeline
CA state law60 days
The agency must act within 60 days of a complete application — and the ADU is deemed approved if it does not.
Owner-occupancy
CA state lawOnly for a JADU
No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs (the prior sunset was removed). A JADU may require owner-occupancy, principally where it shares sanitation with the main house.
Impact-fee waiver
CA state lawWaived under 750 sq ft
An ADU of 750 sq ft or less pays no impact fees (the 750 sq ft threshold itself is exempt under § 66311.5); larger ADUs pay fees proportional to the primary dwelling. JADUs (≤ 500 sq ft) are exempt.
Permits required
Local ruleADU permit, Building permit
Both ADU permit (ministerial) and building permit required.
Corte Madera-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Christmas Tree Hill Overlay District
Cap on ADUs/JADUs at 10% of primary units in capacity districts due to fire/evacuation constraints.
Historic Districts
No parking required for ADUs in historic districts.
Corte Madera sets a local detached ADU max of 1,000 sq ft (2-bed) and requires 3 ft separation from the primary dwelling. The Christmas Tree Hill Overlay District imposes a strict ADU/JADU cap due to fire evacuation concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in Corte Madera?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires Corte Madera to approve a qualifying accessory dwelling unit ministerial (by right), plus a junior ADU (JADU) on a single-family lot.
How big can an ADU be in Corte Madera?
A detached ADU of at least 1,000 sq ft must be allowed, and an ADU of 800 sq ft can never be zoned out by floor-area or lot-coverage limits. A JADU can be up to 500 sq ft.
What are the setback requirements for an ADU in Corte Madera?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. No front setback may block the mandatory 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU; otherwise per base zone.
Is parking required for an ADU in Corte Madera?
Up to 1 space. No parking can be required within ½ mile of transit, for conversions, or for units inside the primary home. When a garage is converted, replacement parking is not required.
How long does ADU approval take in Corte Madera?
A complete application must be acted on within 60 days, with ministerial (by right) — no public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
Do I have to live on the property to build an ADU in Corte Madera?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- Corte Madera Municipal Code Chapter 18.31 (Ord. No. 1043, § 5, 12-17-2024)
- CMMC § 18.31.030(d)-(e), (1)-(2)
- CMMC § 18.31.080(f)(1)-(2), (k)
- CMMC § 18.31.080(f)(3)
- CMMC § 18.31.080(e)(1)-(6)
- CMMC § 18.31.080(c)
- CMMC § 18.31.110(a)-(c)
- CMMC § 18.31.110(d)
- CMMC § 18.31.035, § 18.31.040(a)
- CMMC § 18.31.120
- CMMC § 18.31.110(b)(2)
- Cal. Gov. Code §§ 66310–66342 (ADU Law)
- HCD 2025 Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66317 (ministerial approval, 60-day deadline)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66323 (by-right ADU/JADU, 800 sq ft, 4-ft setbacks)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66333 (junior ADUs)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66321 (size minimums & height)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66322 (ADU parking; § 66334 covers JADU parking)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66315 (owner-occupancy)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66311.5 (impact fees: none for an ADU ≤ 750 sq ft or JADU ≤ 500 sq ft)
Last updated 2026-06-25. This is an AI-assisted summary of Corte Madera's ADU rules, drawn from its published ordinance and California ADU law — general information, not legal advice, and it may be incomplete or out of date. Verify the controlling rule for your specific parcel with Corte Madera Planning before relying on it.
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