Can I Build an ADU in Truckee?

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).

1,000 sq ft

Truckee caps an attached or detached ADU at 850 sq ft for a studio/1-bedroom unit and 1,000 sq ft for a 2+-bedroom unit on a standard single-family parcel; only on single-family parcels of 1 acre or more may an ADU reach 1,200 sq ft. An 800 sq ft ADU must always be allowed (state floor). Site coverage/FAR/open-space and setback limits may yield a smaller buildable size.

≤850 sq ft (studio/1-BR) or ≤1,000 sq ft (2+ BR); up to 1,200 sq ft only on parcels ≥1 acre. The 800 sq ft state floor and the 850/1,000 sq ft attached state floors still control.

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

An ADU up to 16 ft from natural grade gets the reduced 4-ft side/rear setbacks; 18 ft is allowed within ½ mi of transit or on a two-story-primary lot, and up to 20 ft to align the ADU roof pitch with the primary dwelling. Portions over 16 ft must meet the main dwelling's standard setbacks and height.

4 ft

A city cannot require more than 4 ft side or rear setback; conversions of existing structures are exempt.

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

One on-site space per ADU, waived under the state exemptions (½ mi of transit or in the Downtown Specific Plan area, attached/within an existing structure, car-share within a block, etc.). Truckee additionally requires that any required parking sit entirely on private property and NOT within a snow-storage easement, and on-street parking is prohibited town-wide Nov 1–Apr 30 (snow removal). No replacement parking when a garage/carport is removed for an ADU.

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.

Building permit, Recorded ADU deed restriction

Ministerial building permit only. Before a certificate of occupancy, Truckee requires recordation of a deed restriction barring separate sale of the ADU and short-term rental (<31 consecutive days).