California ADU rules · Fresno County
Can I Build an ADU in Firebaugh?
Yes — you can build an ADU in Firebaugh. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including Firebaugh, 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 ruleup to 2 detached ADUs, or conversions in up to 25% of existing units (from non-livable space)
Limits detached ADUs on multifamily lots to 2; conversions allowed up to 25% of 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 rule1,200 sq ft
1-bedroom: 850 sq ft; 2-bedroom: 1,000 sq ft; 3+ bedrooms: 1,200 sq ft.
Max attached ADU size
Local rule50% of primary, up to 800 sq ft maximum
Local cap of 800 sq ft for attached ADUs, even if 50% of primary is greater.
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
Local rule500 sq ft
JADU minimum 220 sq ft, maximum 500 sq ft.
Max height
Local rule16 ft
Local rule is 1 story, 16 ft; state override may apply for transit/multifamily.
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
Local ruleper base zone (no special ADU reduction)
Front setback must comply with base zone; no ADU-specific reduction.
Separation from main house
Local rule10 ft
10 ft minimum between detached ADU and any other residential building; 6 ft from accessory buildings.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleUp to 1 space
1 paved on-site space required for ADU unless exempt; no additional parking for JADU.
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
CA state lawNot required
When a garage/carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, replacement parking cannot be required.
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
Local ruleOnly for a JADU
Owner-occupancy required only for JADUs.
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 ruleBuilding permit, Fire permit, Health permit, Safety permit
All standard building, fire, health, and safety permits required.
Firebaugh-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Fire code compliance
All ADUs must comply with applicable fire codes.
Firebaugh limits detached ADU size by bedroom count (max 1,200 sq ft for 3+ bedrooms) and caps attached ADUs at 800 sq ft. Detached ADUs must be at least 10 feet from other residential buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in Firebaugh?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires Firebaugh 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 Firebaugh?
A detached ADU of at least 1,200 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 Firebaugh?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. per base zone (no special ADU reduction).
Is parking required for an ADU in Firebaugh?
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 Firebaugh?
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 Firebaugh?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- Firebaugh Zoning Code § 25-41.9 (Amended 12-19-2022 by Ord. No. 22-05)
- Firebaugh Zoning Code § 25-41.9
- 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 § 66314 (local ordinance standards)
- 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 Firebaugh'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 Firebaugh Planning before relying on it.
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