Can I Build an ADU in McFarland?

Yes — by right

ADUs and JADUs are allowed by right in all residential and mixed-use zones; ministerial approval, no hearing.

1 ADU + 1 JADU

At least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot (a conversion ADU may also be possible).

Conversion ADUs (≥1, up to 25% of units) + up to 8 detached

Conversions of non-livable space (at least 1, or up to 25% of existing units) plus up to 8 detached ADUs on a lot with existing multifamily — never exceeding the number of existing units. JADUs are single-family only.

Allowed

Up to 500 sq ft, within the walls of an existing single-family home (single-family lots only).

1,200 sq ft

McFarland sets the detached new-construction ADU maximum at 1,200 sq ft (equal to the statewide default). 800 sq ft is the state-protected by-right floor, not McFarland's maximum.

50% of the primary dwelling, but ≥850 sq ft (≥1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms) is always allowed

800 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).

500 sq ft

16 ft

16 ft baseline; cities must allow 18 ft within ½ mi of a major transit stop or where the primary dwelling is two-story, and 20 ft on a lot with a multistory multifamily building.

4 ft

Interior side and rear yard setbacks are 4 ft (the state cap), but McFarland requires 6 ft for a CORNER side or corner rear yard for emergency access and intersection sight lines. Conversions in the same location/dimensions keep the existing setback.

4 ft

No front setback may block the mandatory 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU; otherwise per base zone

None required

No statewide separation requirement between the ADU and the primary dwelling.

Up to 1 space

At most 1 space per ADU (or per bedroom, whichever is less) — and waived in the common cases below.

Yes — 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.

Not required

When a garage/carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, replacement parking cannot be required.

Ministerial (by right)

No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.

60 days

The agency must act within 60 days of a complete application — and the ADU is deemed approved if it does not.

Only 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.

Waived 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.

Administrative Permit (Ch. 17.160), Building permit

McFarland requires a ministerial Administrative Permit (per Ch. 17.160) in addition to the building permit; review and action remain ministerial within the 60-day state deadline. Kern County Fire Department clearance — and Kern County Public Health clearance for parcels on private septic — is required before building-permit issuance.