California ADU Laws 2026
Primary statutes: SB 9, AB 68, AB 881, AB 1033, AB 2221
California has the most permissive ADU laws in the United States. State law preempts most local ADU restrictions, requiring cities to allow ADUs on virtually any single-family lot.
At a glance
Full summary
Under California Government Code Section 65852.2, local jurisdictions must allow at least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot. Detached ADUs can be up to 1,200 sqft. Attached ADUs are capped at 50% of the primary residence or 800 sqft, whichever is greater. JADUs are capped at 500 sqft.
No additional parking can be required if the ADU is within half a mile of public transit. Owner-occupancy requirements are prohibited for ADUs (but allowed for JADUs). Cities must approve or deny applications within 60 days. AB 1033 (2024) allows ADUs to be sold separately as condominiums in cities that opt in.