Everything homeowners ask about building an ADU in Citrus Heights — answered with 2026 data.
Yes, ADUs are allowed in Any property developed with residential living unit(s) (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.A) — including the RD-1, RD-2, RD-3 and RD-4 residential districts, where an ADU is allowed in addition to the one permitted detached single-family dwelling. Under the state pathway an ADU must be ministerially approved in any residential or mixed-use zone with a proposed or existing dwelling (Gov. Code §66323(a)) in Citrus Heights, CA. The maximum size for a detached ADU is Local option: 1,200 sq ft regardless of the size of the primary dwelling (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.3.b) — but a detached unit over 800 sq ft must also meet the zoning district's lot coverage limit, which the city's ADU page puts at 30%-50% depending on zone. State option: 800 sq ft with four-foot side and rear setbacks, which no local standard may preclude (Gov. Code §66323(a)(2) and §66321(b)(3)). Attached ADUs can be up to 60% of the primary dwelling's floor area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less — but never less than 850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft for 2 or more bedrooms. Citrus Heights has an ADU-friendliness score of 8/10. Check our full Citrus Heights ADU rules page for complete zoning details.
ADU construction in Citrus Heights typically costs $150,000-$300,000. The cost per square foot averages $250-$400. Garage conversions are more affordable at $80,000-$150,000, while prefab ADUs cost $120,000-$250,000. Permit fees add Confirm current building permit and plan check amounts with Citrus Heights Planning at (916) 727-4740 — no ADU fee schedule is published on the city's ADU pages to your budget. See our detailed Citrus Heights ADU cost guide.
Detached ADUs in Citrus Heights can be up to Local option: 1,200 sq ft regardless of the size of the primary dwelling. Attached ADUs are limited to 60% of the primary dwelling's floor area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less — but never less than 850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft for 2 or more bedrooms. Junior ADUs (JADUs) have a cap of 500 sq ft, created within the walls of the proposed or existing single-family residence including an attached garage, with an efficiency kitchen and separate exterior access (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.7). Maximum height is Detached: 18 feet, plus an additional 2 feet to accommodate a roof pitch matching the primary dwelling; 25 feet where the ADU is above a detached residential accessory structure. Attached: the height limit of the applicable zoning district — the city's ADU Development Standards page states 30 feet (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.2). You are allowed up to Depends which pathway you choose, and the two may not be combined. Local option: one ADU on a qualifying lot.
Rear setback: 4 feet for a newly constructed detached ADU; no setback at all for converting a legally built existing structure (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.1; city ADU Development Standards page). The city's page lists a 20-foot rear yard for attached ADUs, sometimes reducible to 10 feet — ask the Planning Division at (916) 727-4740 whether your property qualifies. State law guarantees 4 feet for a detached unit (Gov. Code §66323(a)(2)). Side setback: 4 feet for a newly constructed detached ADU; none for conversions of existing structures (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.1). The city's ADU Development Standards page lists a 5-foot side yard for attached ADUs. Front setback: The front and street-side setbacks of the underlying zoning district apply — except that a front setback may not be applied if it would prohibit an ADU of at least 800 sq ft with 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.8.a(3)). Note that garage conversions may be exempt from setback requirements if the existing structure is already within the setback area.
None — additional off-street parking is not required for an ADU (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.4). The city has also confirmed it cannot require replacement parking when a garage, carport or parking space is demolished or converted to build an ADU. Many cities and states have been relaxing ADU parking requirements in recent years. In California, no additional parking is required for ADUs near transit.
Not required for an ADU. For a JADU, the current local code requires either the JADU or the residence containing it to be owner-occupied, with a deed restriction recorded before permit issuance (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.D.7.b-c). AB 1154, effective January 1, 2026, narrows that to JADUs that share sanitation facilities with the primary dwelling, and the city's pending amendment adopts the narrower rule — confirm with Citrus Heights Planning which applies to your permit. Note that owner-occupancy rules vary by state law — California and several other states have eliminated this requirement for standard ADUs.
The ADU permit review timeline in Citrus Heights is typically Completeness determination within 15 business days of submittal; approve or deny within 60 days of a complete application where a dwelling already exists on the lot — and if the city misses the 60 days, the application is deemed approved (Gov. Code §66317(a)(2)-(3)). Plan check: Building Division plan check. The city's permit-ready plans come pre-approved by the Building Division, which shortens review. Fire sprinklers are not required for an ADU or JADU if they are not required for the primary dwelling. Pre-approved plans availability: Yes — the Permit-Ready ADU Program offers city plans free of charge, funded by a state Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant: two 1-bedroom/1-bath models and one 2-bedroom/1-bath model, each with a choice of roof lines and exterior finishes, accessible features, and a reversed layout option, all pre-approved by the Building Division. The city also runs an AB 1332 preapproved ADU plans program and publishes a preapproved vendor list.
Average ADU rental income in Citrus Heights: 1-bedroom units rent for $1,450-$1,750/month, 2-bedroom units for $1,750-$2,100/month. Short-term rentals: No — the adopted code bars renting an ADU or JADU for periods of less than 31 days (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.C.3), and the city's ADU Development Standards page states a 30-day minimum and requires an ADU Rental Restriction Acknowledgment Form at permit application. Either way, Airbnb-style letting is out. Rentals must also be registered with the city's Rental Housing Inspection Program. Expected ROI: 6-9% annual return.
The minimum lot size for an ADU in Citrus Heights is No minimum lot size — state law bars a minimum-lot-size requirement for ADUs (Gov. Code §66314(b)(1)), and ADUs are not counted when calculating the density of a parcel (Citrus Heights Zoning Code §106.42.015.B). This applies to detached ADUs — garage conversions and JADUs may have different or no lot size requirements.
Garage conversions are one of the most popular and affordable ADU options. In Citrus Heights, a garage conversion typically costs $80,000-$150,000. The key advantages are lower cost (no foundation work), potential setback exemptions, and faster permitting. Read our complete garage conversion guide.
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