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ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs) AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (JADUs)

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit and a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit?

Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs and JADUs) are secondary residential units located on the same property as a single-family or multi-family home. They provide additional housing opportunities and are often known as “granny units” or “in-law units.” 

Dwelling Units Categories

There are three main types of ADUs: 

  • Detached newly built (separated from the house) or Multi-Family Building.
  • Converted from an existing space such as a garage or a shed.
  • Attached to the primary dwelling through conversion of existing space or an addition.

Accessory dwelling unit shall provide permanent provisions for: 

  • living
  • sleeping
  • eating
  • cooking
  • sanitation
  • laundry connections shall be provided

Doors:

  • Shall have a separate entrance from the exterior. 
  • Shall not communicate with primary dwelling Unit. 

Type: 

Shall be contained entirely within the walls of a single-family residence, including an attached garage

Size:

No more than 500 square feet. 

Accessory dwelling unit shall provide permanent provisions for: 

  • Efficiency kitchen with a food preparation counter 
  • May include a separate bathroom or may share a bathroom within the existing primary dwelling unit. 
  • Laundry connections may be provided or shared with the primary dwelling Unit. 

Doors:

  • Shall have a separate entrance from the exterior.
  • A JADU may either include or omit a communicating door to the primary dwelling.

The State of California exempts certain ADUs from local zoning laws, such as architectural standards. These are referred to as “state exempt”. The following types of ADUs are state exempt:

A new detached ADU:

  • Size:  800 square feet or less 
  • Height: 16 feet tall or less (or 18 feet, plus 2 feet to match the main building roof pitch if located within one-half mile of a BART station)
  • Setbacks:  Minimum 4 feet side and backyard setbacks

Conversions built within primary dwelling unit walls: 

  • Conversion ADUs: ADUs or JADUs that are converted from an existing structure on the property, including an addition of up to 150 square feet to provide exterior ingress/egress
  • ADUs in existing structures: ADUs that are constructed in the same physical dimensions of an existing structure, including garage space

Other ADUs:

  • ADUs within new single-family dwellings: ADUs that are part of a proposed new single-family dwelling 

For details on how to legalize an unpermitted ADU, please see the Unpermitted ADUs handout.

 

Permitting Resources

ADU/JADU permit process

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Type: detached, attached or converted

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) may be permitted under a separate, stand-alone building permit or combined with other related building permits. If permits are separated, they may be processed concurrently or independently; however, each permit will be reviewed separately and issued based on its respective scope of work. Plans submitted as a single combined plan set may be processed under one permit with a combined scope of work. Final permitting requirements shall be subject to the discretion of the Building Official.

Junior Accessory Dwelling (JADU) 

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) may be submitted and processed in conjunction with remodels, additions, or other alterations to the primary dwelling. submittals involving a JADU and primary dwelling modifications may be consolidated into a single permit application, reviewed as a combined project, and issued under one permit. 

Permit submittal Process

Please reference Residential New construction submittal requirements handout. For all requirements needed before submitting plans. Residential New Construction handout can be found in our online Permit Center under “Handout and Information” tab. 

To submit plans, please visit our online Permit Center. When submitting an ADU/JADU electronically through our online portal (Accela Citizen Access) please select Addition when prompted project type. 

Administration Hours

Community and Economic Development — ADUs
200 Old Bernal Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Phone: (925) 931-5630

 

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