Code Amendment
2026-0001
Updates to ADU & JADU Provisions
City Council
July 21, 2026
CA 2026-0001: Updates City Code to reflect 2025 & 2026 laws:
New laws…
Allow a greater ADU density in single-family and multi-family zones
Require ministerial approval of "State Exempt" ADUs & JADUs Limit development standards including required parking Revised State code sections
Background
SB 543
AB 1154
SB 1211
SB 477
AB 1170
AB 2533
2 Types of ADUs/JADUs
3 Current Tustin City Code Proposed Code Amendment
ADUs
1 ADU allowed
(Converted, Attached or
Detached)
2 ADUs allowed
(1 Attached or Converted, and 1
Detached)
JADUs 1 JADU 1 JADU
Total
Allowed
2 ADUs per lot
(1 ADU + 1 JADU)
3 ADUs per lot
(2 ADUs + 1 JADU)
ADU/JADUs on Single Family Lots
4 ADUs on Multi-family Lots
Current City Code Proposed Code Amendment
Converted*
ADUs
Max. ADUs:
25% dwelling units on lot
(but at least 1)
No change
Detached
ADUs
Existing
Development
Proposed
Development
Existing
Development
Proposed
Development
Max. 2 ADUs Max. 2 ADUs
Max. 8 ADUs
(up to dwelling
units on lot)
Max. 2 ADUs
* Only existing non-livable space can be converted (i.e., storage areas, meeting rooms, gyms, etc.)
5 Current City Code Proposed Code Amendment
JADU
Attached garage is converted to
JADU…
required parking shall be replaced
Attached garage is converted to
JADU…
required parking does not need to
be replaced
ADU
Required parking does not need to
be replaced when an existing
garage, carport, or covered
parking structure is demolished
for ADU.
Required parking does not need to
be replaced when an existing
garage, carport, covered parking
structure, or uncovered parking
space is demolished for ADU.
ADU Parking Standards
6 Revisions to development standards
Removes standards that are not objective
Limits ADUs in historic district to primary dwelling height or floor area Requires owner occupancy when JADU & primary residence share bathroom Streamlines and clarifies timeframes and procedures
Creates consistency with California Gov. Code
Definitions
Revised Gov. Code number
Clarifies State Exempt ADU requirements
Additional Revisions
7 Noticing &
Environmental
8 On June 9, 2026, the PC adopted Resolution
No. 4544, recommending that the CC adopt
Ordinance No. 1578
A 1/8-page public notice was published in the
Tustin News on July 9, 2026
Code Amendment is exempt from CEQA
pursuant to Public Resource Code Section
21080.17
Recommendation
Recommend the City Council introduce and hold a first reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 1578, amending Article 9 (Land Use) of the Tustin City Code to provide for the development of accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units in compliance with State law, and set the second reading for the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
9 Code Amendment
2026-0001
Updates to ADU & JADU Provisions
City Council
July 21, 2026
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Draft Ord.
Section TCC Amendment Description
2 9263(g) Revises ADU parking standards related to parking exemptions and replacement parking requirements to ensure consistency with Government Code §§ 66314 and 66322. 3 9279(D)(1)-(5)
Revises standards for the size, number, and types of ADUs permitted on single-family and multi-family properties to ensure consistency with Government Code §§ 66314 and 66323.
Clarifies that the maximum number of ADUs allowed on a property include those ADUs that are exempted statewide by Gov. Code § 66323. Also removes duplicate ADU provisions for condominium projects within the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan. 4 9279(D)(11)
Removes a requirement that detached ADUs cannot extend beyond the front building line of the primary residence, consistent with State law’s requirement that subjective standards are prohibited for compliance with Government Code §§ 66314(b) and 66315. Additionally, the term “front building line” is used elsewhere in the Zoning Code in a different context. 5 9279(E)(8)(a) Removes outdated JADU occupancy requirements to ensure consistency with Government Code § 66333.
6 9279(F)(1) Updates an outdated Government Code reference from § 65852.26 to § 66341 to reflect the re-numbering of ADU State Law sections under Senate Bill 477. 7 9279(F)(3)(b) Revises owner-occupancy requirements for JADUs to ensure consistency with Government Code § 66333(b).
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Draft Ord.
Section TCC Amendment Description
8 9279(F)(4)(c)
Revises site planning and development standards for ADUs on historic properties by replacing subjective requirements with objective standards related to building height and size, consistent with Government Code § 66314(b).
9 9263(g) Revises ADU permit application procedures and review timeframes to ensure consistency with Government Code §§ 66317 and 66321.
10 9279(D)(1)-(5)
Updates outdated references to Government Code §§ 65852.2 and 65852.22 with references to Government Code § 66310 et seq., consistent with the re-numbering of ADU State Law sections under Senate Bill 477.
11 9279(D)(11) Adds new Subsection K to establish procedures for the legalization of unpermitted ADUs consistent with Government Code § 66311.7.
12 9279(E)(8)(a) Revises definitions related to “ADU, Statewide Exemption” and “Junior ADU” and adds a definition for “Livable Space” to ensure consistency with Government Code § 66313.
Single-Family Primary Dwelling
ADU
Within space of proposed or existing
single-family residence; or within space
of existing accessory structure.
• Sometimes referred to as “Conversions,” “Interior,” or “Created Within.”
• Must have exterior access.
• Setbacks meet fire and safety requirements.
• Existing accessory structure may be expanded up to 150 square feet for ingress and egress.
JADU • Created within an existing or proposed dwelling. • 500-square-foot interior livable space maximum.
• May be created from an attached garage.
ADU
Newly constructed detached ADU.
• 800-square-foot interior livable space maximum.
• Minimum 4-foot side and rear setbacks.
• May be located within the front setback.
Gov. Code § 66323 Combinations
Multi-Family Primary Dwelling
ADU
Constructed in existing space not used
as livable space
• Existing non-livable space (e.g., gyms, enclosed parking, etc. within the multi-family structure).
• Allows at least one ADU or up to 25% of existing primary units.
ADU
Detached from primary dwelling
• Up to 2 units detached from the proposed primary dwelling; or • Up to 8 units detached from existing primary dwelling, not to exceed the number of existing units on the lot.
• Four-foot side and rear setbacks.
Gov. Code § 66323 Combinations