California ADU rules · Santa Barbara County
Can I Build an ADU in Goleta?
Yes — you can build an ADU in Goleta. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including Goleta, 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 ruleat least 1 conversion (up to 25% of units), plus up to 2 detached ADUs for proposed multifamily, or up to 8 detached ADUs for existing multifamily (not to exceed number of existing units)
Detached ADU cap for multifamily: 2 for proposed, 8 for existing; cannot 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+ beds); must allow at least 800 sq ft in all cases.
Max attached ADU size
Local rule850/1,000 sq ft (studio/1-bed/2+ beds) and 50% of primary dwelling, but at least 800 sq ft must be allowed
Attached ADUs: same size as detached, but also limited to 50% of primary dwelling; 800 sq ft minimum always allowed.
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
Attached ADUs: up to 25 ft or primary dwelling height, whichever is less; detached: 16 ft standard, 18–20 ft near 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 rule20 ft (not if it would preclude an 800 sq ft ADU)
Front setback is 20 ft, but must allow 800 sq ft ADU even if this is not met.
Separation from main house
Local rule5 ft
5 ft minimum separation for new detached ADUs; not required for conversions.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleNone
No parking required for ADUs.
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 parking required when converting/demolishing parking for ADU.
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 for JADUs unless exception applies; not required for ADUs.
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, ADU permit (for some types)
Building permit required for all ADUs/JADUs; ADU permit required for some.
Goleta-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Coastal Zone
Coastal Development Permit or exemption required for ADUs/JADUs in the Coastal Zone.
Goleta caps detached and attached ADUs at 850/1,000 sq ft (studio/1-bed/2+ beds) and requires a 5 ft separation from the primary dwelling for new detached ADUs. No parking is required for ADUs, and a Coastal Development Permit is needed in the Coastal Zone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in Goleta?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires Goleta 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 Goleta?
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 Goleta?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. 20 ft (not if it would preclude an 800 sq ft ADU).
Is parking required for an ADU in Goleta?
None. 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 Goleta?
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 Goleta?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030 (ADUs), last amended Ord. 25-13U (12/16/2025), Ord. 26-01 (1/20/2026)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(D)(1)(c)-(d)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(F)(1)-(2)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(F)(1)(b)-(c)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(E)(2)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(F)(3)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(F)(4)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(F)(6)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(E)(7)(b)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(D)(2)
- Goleta Municipal Code § 17.41.030(E)(3)
- 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 § 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 Goleta'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 Goleta Planning before relying on it.
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