According to state law, all single-family homes are allowed at least one Accessory Dwelling Unit. Additionally, single-family parcels which are owner-occupied may create one Accessory Dwelling Unit and one Junior ADU. Also, multi-family parcels may now add one ADU per every four existing residential units, so long as they were legally established.

Residential parcels will not be subject to any minimum lot size for ADUs by ordinance or of the underlying zoning district. ~ AB68 & AB881 Update

a. 850 square feet for studio and one-bedroom accessory dwelling units;
b. 1,000 square feet for an accessory dwelling unit that provides more than one bedroom;
c. Not withstanding a and b above, attached accessory dwelling units shall not exceed 50% of the existing primary dwelling’s living area square footage; and
d. The Planning Commission may approve through Design Review any accessory dwelling unit exceeding these size limitations up to 1,200 square feet in size on lots of at least 15,000 square feet in size based on building design, roof slope and design, location, topography, or other criteria.

All accessory dwelling units shall maintain the front yard setback for the applicable zoning district in which the lot is located. However, accessory dwelling units shall maintain a minimum four-foot setback on the side and rear yards for an accessory dwelling unit not converted from an existing structure or a new structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure. Accessory dwelling units that are larger than the provisions established in the "ADU Size" Section shall be subject to the same setback requirements as the primary dwelling

Parking. A minimum of one parking space shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit. This parking space may be provided as tandem parking on a driveway. Notwithstanding this parking requirement, the City shall not impose parking standards for an accessory dwelling unit in any of the following instances:
1. The accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit.
2. The accessory dwelling unit is located within a historic district.
3. The accessory dwelling unit occurs within the proposed or existing primary residence or within an accessory structure.
4. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit.
5. When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit.
Additionally, when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, no off-street replacement parking spaces shall be required.

Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required in the primary home.

Additionally, the lot on which the accessory dwelling unit is proposed to be established shall:' The design of the accessory dwelling unit, including but limited to building form, materials, exterior finishes, color scheme, and landscaping shall be compatible and of like material with the primary dwelling. To maintain the single-family residential character of the street, the accessory dwelling unit shall be designed and built in such a manner as to minimize its visibility from the public right-of-way.

An attached or detached accessory dwelling unit shall be limited to one-story, or 16 feet. A two story ADU may be permitted as long as it meets the requirements of the underlying zone.

The design of the accessory dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, building form, materials, exterior finishes, color scheme, and landscaping shall be compatible with the primary dwelling.
To maintain the single-family residential character of the street, the accessory dwelling unit should be designed and built in such a manner as to minimize its visibility (to the extent feasible) from the public right-of-way.

No maximum number of bedrooms mandated by the state

Owner-occupancy will not be required for new Accessory Dwelling Units (conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ SB-13

The side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire safety, subject to) determination by the City Building Official.

*** Beginning in 2020, according to state law, all residential zoning districts, including single-family and multi-family, are allowed to build Accessory Dwelling Units. ***