ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE COMPARISON MATRIX
Proposed change to ADU Code Existing Code Standard/Regulation New Definition: “Attached accessory dwelling
unit” means a unit that is or will be attached to or
located within the existing or proposed single
family dwelling, including attached garages,
storage areas or similar uses, or the conversion
of an existing accessory structure that is
detached from the proposed or existing primary
dwelling, including detached garages.
CCMC 9.114.020
No definition. Conversion of a detached
accessory structure considered a
detached ADU
New Definition: “Detached accessory dwelling
unit” means a unit that is or will be detached from
the proposed or existing primary dwelling but is
not a conversion of an existing detached
accessory structure.
CCMC 9.114.020
No definition. Detached ADU treated as
detached, regardless of whether a
conversion.
Revised definition: “Owner” means the property
owner on the latest equalized property tax
assessment roll. If the owner is not a natural
person or group of natural persons (e.g. the
owner is a trust or corporation), then the owner(s)
shall designate a natural person for the purpose
of satisfying the owner occupancy requirements
set forth in Section 9.114.060. The owner(s)
designated natural person(s) shall reside on-site
and shall have authority to bind the owner in all
matters related to the site, and shall not pay rent
or other compensation, nor provide services to
the owner.
CCMC 9.114.020
Existing definition is revised in
compliance with AB 976.
Revised definition: “Owner-occupied” means an
owner currently resides on the property in either
the primary dwelling unit, ADU or JADU, if both
exist.
CCMC 9.114.020
Existing definition is proposed to be
deleted in compliance with AB 976.
A demolition permit for a detached garage that is
to be replaced with an accessory dwelling unit
shall be reviewed with the application for the
accessory dwelling unit and issued at the same
time.
New CCMC 9.114.030(C)
Existing code is silent. This is done as a
matter of practice as existing regulations
require residential parking.
Internal processes will be updated to
ensure both are submitted.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE COMPARISON MATRIX
Proposed change to ADU Code Existing Code Standard/Regulation C. If the City denies an application for an
accessory dwelling unit permit, thatthe City shall
provide a full set of comments to the applicant
with a list of deficiencies and description of how
they can be remedieds within the time frames
below for approval or denial of the application.
New CCMC 9.114.040.(C)
Existing code is silent. In practice,
corrections are given to the applicant to
achieve compliance.
Building Codes. The accessory dwelling unit shall
comply with state building standards for
dwellings. Accessory dwelling units are not
required to provide fire sprinklers unless they are
required for the primary residence. The
construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall
not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be
installed in the existing primary dwelling.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(2)
ADUs are not required to have fire
sprinklers if primary does not have fire
sprinklers.
4. Building Height. Attached and detached
accessory dwelling units shall not exceed the
height of the primary dwelling unit, except as
follows:
a. A detached accessory dwelling unit may
be up to 16 feet high if the primary dwelling is
less than 16 feet high.
b. A detached accessory dwelling unit on a
lot with an existing or proposed multifamily,
multistory dwelling, may be up to 18 feet high.
c. A detached accessory dwelling unit on a
lot within ½ mile of a major transit stop or a high-
quality transit corridor, as those terms are
defined in Public Resources Code Section 2115,
may be up to 18 feet high. An additional 2 feet in
height shall also be allowed to accommodate a
roofd pitch on the accessory dwelling unit that is
aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling
unit.
d. An attached accessory dwelling unit shall
not exceed the height limitation that applies to
the primary dwelling unit or 25 feet, whichever is
lower. This clause shall not be construed to
permit an attached accessory dwelling unit to
exceed two stories. The accessory dwelling unit
shall not exceed sixteen feet in height or more
than one story. Revised CCMC 9.114.050(4)
a. A detached ADU cannot exceed 16
feet in height or one story on single
family lot.
b. A detached ADU cannot exceed 16
feet in height or one story on multiple
family lot.
c. A detached ADU cannot exceed 16
feet in height or one story on multiple
family lot.
d. Attached ADUs cannot exceed 16 feet
in height or one story.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE COMPARISON MATRIX
Proposed change to ADU Code Existing Code Standard/Regulation d. A detached ADU must be five feet away from
the main residence and five feet from other
structures on the property, except when this
requirementdistance precludes an ADU pursuant
to California Government Code Section
65852.2(c).
New CCMC 9.114.050(5)(d)
Accessory detached structures require a
10-foot setback from other structures on
the same lot.
Location. Accessory dwelling units shall be
located to the rear or side of any primary dwelling
unit. The prohibition on accessory dwelling units
in the front of the primary dwelling unit shall not
be enforced if it is not possible to construct an
accessory dwelling unit that is 800 square feet in
size to the rear or side of the primary dwelling
with a four foot setback from the rear and side
yard property lines.
New CCMC 9.114.050(6)
ADUs are not allowed in the front yard.
Lot Coverage. All new accessory dwelling units
shall conform to the lot coverage requirements of
the underlying zoning district in which the
accessory dwelling unit is located, except where
the application of the lot coverage requirements
would not permit construction of an eight hundred
square foot accessory dwelling unit that is
sixteen feet in compliant with height requirements
with a minimum of four-foot side and rear yard
setbacks from the property lines.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(7)
Existing code limits ADU building height
to 16 feet.
Access. The accessory dwelling unit shall have
an independent exterior access/entrance, apart
from that of the primary dwelling. The ADU
entrance must be located on the side or rear
building elevation, not facing a public right-of-
way.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(10)
Change proposed by staff, too restrictive.
Two detached accessory dwelling units shall be
approved that are located on a lot that has an
existing or proposed multiple-family dwelling,
provided that the units are no higher than sixteen
feet or eighteen feet, as may be applicable, and
meet a four-foot rear and side yard setback.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(12)(b)(ii)
Existing code limits ADU building height
to 16 feet.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE COMPARISON MATRIX
Proposed change to ADU Code Existing Code Standard/Regulation d. A covered balcony, porch or patio provided
with an accessory dwelling unit shall count
towards the total floor area
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(13)(d)
Deletion proposed by staff. Too
restrictive and doesn’t allow for these
types of shaded amenities.
a. One new parking space per accessory
dwelling unit or per bedroom, whichever is less,
shall be required, except as provided in
subparagraph (c) below. Off-street parking shall
be permitted in setback areas or through tandem
parking in designated parking areas, unless
specific findings are made that parking in setback
areas or tandem parking is not feasible based
upon specific site or regional topographical or fire
and life safety conditions.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(14)(a)
Revised to clarify that only one parking
spaces is required per ADU, except as
excepted.
c. No additional parking shall be required for
any accessory dwelling unit in the following
instances:
vi. When a permit application for an accessory
dwelling unit is submitted with a permit
application to create a new single family dwelling
or a new multifamily dwelling on the same lot,
provided that the accessory dwelling unit or the
parcel satisfies any other criteria listed in this
section.
Revised CCMC 9.114.050(14)(c)(vi)
Existing code requires plans to show
parking for primary dwelling and ADU.
15. Utilities. For detached accessory dwelling
units, excluding those that are within the space of
an existing accessory structure, the city may
require a new or separate utility connection
directly between the accessory dwelling unit and
the utility.
Revised 9.114.050(15)
This is dictated by the utility company, as
opposed to the city.
Ownership and Occupancy. An accessory
dwelling unit may be rented separate from the
primary residence, but may not be sold or
otherwise conveyed separate from the primary
residence, except as provided by Government
Code Section 65852.26. An accessory dwelling
unit shall not be utilized as a short-term vacation
rental as defined in Chapter 5.96 of this code.
Revised 9.114.050(16)
ADUs are not permitted to be conveyed
separately.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE COMPARISON MATRIX
Proposed change to ADU Code Existing Code Standard/Regulation
5. A lot with a junior accessory dwelling unit
must be owner-occupied. The owner may live in
either the junior accessory dwelling unit or the
primary dwelling. If the owner fails to comply with
this requirement, the city may require the junior
accessory dwelling unit be returned to its original
use. This requirement shall not apply if the owner
is a governmental agency, a land trust, or
housing organization.
Revision 9.114.060(5)
Occupancy requirement to be deleted in
compliance with AB 976.