ADU Rules by City

101 cities across 23 states. Find the exact ADU zoning rules, setbacks, permit requirements, and costs for your city.

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Arizona (7 cities)

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Chandler, AZ

6/10

Max size: 75% of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area (interior habitable area) or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less · Setbacks: 5 feet minimum (uninhabitable space attached to an ADU, e.g. a garage, must meet full district setbacks)

Rent: $1,350-$1,700/mo Build: $125,000-$250,000
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Gilbert, AZ

6/10

Max size: 75% of the primary residence's gross square footage (state law guarantees at least the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 75%) · Setbacks: 5 feet maximum required (ARS 9-461.18 caps rear setbacks at 5 ft)

Rent: $1,500-$1,750/mo Build: $130,000-$260,000
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Mesa, AZ

7/10

Max size: 75% of primary residence's interior habitable area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less · Setbacks: 5 feet minimum for new structures; existing-structure conversions require no additional setback

Rent: $1,150-$1,450/mo Build: $120,000-$240,000
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Phoenix, AZ

6/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft on lots up to 10,000 sq ft (75% of primary dwelling, whichever is less); on lots over 10,000 sq ft, the lesser of 3,000 sq ft or 10% of net lot area · Setbacks: 5 feet (3 ft for some detached configurations per ZO 706; statute caps rear/side at 5 ft)

Rent: $1,250-$1,700/mo Build: $120,000-$240,000
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Scottsdale, AZ

5/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft or 75% of primary dwelling (whichever is less); 500 sq ft for second/third ADU · Setbacks: 5 feet (detached ADU may be as close as 5 ft to rear lot line)

Rent: $1,500-$2,000/mo Build: $140,000-$280,000
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Tempe, AZ

7/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the main dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is less · Setbacks: 5 feet minimum (all districts, unless the district allows less)

Rent: $1,300-$1,700/mo Build: $120,000-$250,000
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Tucson, AZ

5/10

Max size: 75% of primary dwelling, up to 1,000 sq ft (minimum 650 sq ft guaranteed) · Setbacks: 5 feet (limited to 5 ft from property line per HB 2720)

Rent: $1,100-$1,500/mo Build: $110,000-$220,000
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California (36 cities)

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Anaheim, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,700-$2,300/mo Build: $130,000-$290,000
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Berkeley, CA

9/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft outside the Hillside Overlay; 850 sq ft (studio/1-bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms) within the Hillside Overlay · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $2,300-$2,900/mo Build: $250,000-$500,000
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Burbank, CA

6/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bedroom); 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms); 800 sq ft in Mountain Fire Zone or front-setback locations; +120 sq ft bonus for each extra code-compliant parking space (deed-restricted) · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $2,100-$2,400/mo Build: $220,000-$400,000
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Carlsbad, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 feet

Rent: $2,500-$2,950/mo Build: $150,000-$350,000
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Chula Vista, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $2,400-$2,900/mo Build: $300,000-$450,000
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Corona, CA

6/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft (subject to zone lot-coverage limits, but an 800 sq ft/16-ft ADU can never be prohibited); conversions of existing space exempt · Setbacks: 4 ft maximum required, including lot lines adjacent to streets; none for conversions or same-footprint rebuilds

Rent: $1,950-$2,250/mo Build: $160,000-$300,000
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El Cajon, CA

6/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft of habitable space; ordinance also said the ADU may not exceed the primary dwelling's size — a provision HCD flagged as noncompliant, so confirm with Community Development · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum (3 ft allowed at 12 ft height; 5 ft required for 20 ft height)

Rent: $1,800-$2,100/mo Build: $300,000-$450,000
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Elk Grove, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft for new construction; none for conversions or same-footprint rebuilds

Rent: $1,750-$2,050/mo Build: $150,000-$300,000
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Escondido, CA

6/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1BR) to 1,000 sq ft (2BR+) per city handout, based on lot FAR/coverage; some builder sources report 1,200 sq ft — confirm with Escondido Planning (760-839-4671) · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $1,900-$2,300/mo Build: $300,000-$425,000
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Folsom, CA

7/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (1 bedroom or fewer) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms); an 800 sq ft ADU with 4-ft setbacks can never be precluded; minimum 150 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft; none for conversions of existing structures

Rent: $1,900-$2,150/mo Build: $150,000-$300,000
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Fontana, CA

8/10

Max size: 1200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum (detached new construction)

Rent: $1,300-$1,700 Build: $160,000-$270,000
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Fremont, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft for new construction; none for conversions of existing structures

Rent: $2,150-$2,650/mo Build: $220,000-$420,000
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Fresno, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,000-$1,400/mo Build: $80,000-$200,000
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Glendale, CA

6/10

Max size: 850 sq ft for a 1-bedroom ADU; 1,000 sq ft for a 2-bedroom ADU, regardless of underlying zoning standards (units over 850 sq ft must add a second bedroom) · Setbacks: 4 ft maximum required for detached new-construction ADUs; none for conversions of existing structures

Rent: $2,000-$2,700/mo Build: $180,000-$400,000
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Hayward, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft maximum (850 sq ft studio/1BR and 1,000 sq ft 2+BR guaranteed; larger units capped at 50% of primary dwelling floor area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less) · Setbacks: 4 ft for new construction; none for conversions of existing permitted structures

Rent: $1,850-$2,300/mo Build: $200,000-$400,000
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Huntington Beach, CA

4/10

Max size: Up to 1,200 sq ft; 800 sq ft unit must be allowed on virtually any lot (state law) · Setbacks: No more than 4 ft (state law); none for conversions of legally established existing space

Rent: $2,400-$2,700/mo Build: $180,000-$420,000
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Irvine, CA

5/10

Max size: Up to 1,200 sq ft; 800 sq ft ADU must be allowed on virtually any lot. HCD struck Irvine's lot-size-based ADU size caps · Setbacks: 4 ft maximum required (state law); none for conversions of existing space

Rent: $2,700-$3,000/mo Build: $180,000-$420,000
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Long Beach, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,500-$2,100/mo Build: $120,000-$280,000
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Los Angeles, CA

9/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft for units ≤16 ft height

Rent: $1,800-$2,500/mo Build: $150,000-$350,000
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Oakland, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,800-$2,600/mo Build: $160,000-$380,000
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Oceanside, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft (subject to zone lot coverage above the 850/1,000 sq ft state-guaranteed unit) · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $2,000-$2,500/mo Build: $300,000-$450,000
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Ontario, CA

8/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bedroom); 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms) — per Ontario ADU Handout (Rev. 01.21.2025) · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $1,400-$1,800 Build: $180,000-$300,000
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Pasadena, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft (new construction on single-family lots); limited to 1,000 sq ft in most Hillside Overlay districts · Setbacks: 4 ft for new construction; none for conversions of existing structures

Rent: $2,200-$2,900/mo Build: $180,000-$400,000
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA

8/10

Max size: 1200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum (detached new construction)

Rent: $1,400-$1,800 Build: $170,000-$290,000
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Riverside, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft (at least 850 sq ft is guaranteed regardless of lot-coverage standards) · Setbacks: 4 ft maximum (detached new construction)

Rent: $1,300-$1,700 Build: $170,000-$280,000
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Roseville, CA

6/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1BR) or 1,000 sq ft (2+BR) per city handout — the state floor; minimum 150 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft for new construction; none for conversions of existing structures (including same-footprint rebuilds)

Rent: $1,700-$2,000/mo Build: $150,000-$300,000
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Sacramento, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,300-$1,800/mo Build: $100,000-$250,000
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San Bernardino, CA

8/10

Max size: 1200 sq ft; reduces to 800 sq ft if lot coverage exceeded · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum (detached new construction)

Rent: $1,300-$1,700 Build: $160,000-$280,000
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San Diego, CA

9/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,600-$2,200/mo Build: $120,000-$300,000
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San Francisco, CA

9/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft (state minimum; local program caps at 850-1,000 sq ft) · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum

Rent: $2,200-$3,200/mo Build: $200,000-$450,000
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San Jose, CA

8/10

Max size: 1,200 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $2,000-$2,800/mo Build: $180,000-$400,000
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San Mateo, CA

7/10

Max size: Up to the FAR of the underlying zone and no larger than the primary unit; 800 sq ft is always allowed (ADU area up to 800 sq ft is FAR-exempt) · Setbacks: 4 ft; none for conversions of existing space

Rent: $2,700-$3,100/mo Build: $250,000-$450,000
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Santa Ana, CA

7/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft · Setbacks: 4 ft

Rent: $1,700-$2,300/mo Build: $130,000-$300,000
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Santa Monica, CA

8/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bedroom) or 1,200 sq ft (2+ bedrooms) · Setbacks: 4 ft; none for conversions of existing structures (including pre-Jan 1, 2020 unpermitted structures being legalized)

Rent: $3,000-$3,700/mo Build: $250,000-$500,000
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Torrance, CA

5/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft (800 sq ft under the state-exempt ministerial path); accessory-structure conversions exempt from the cap · Setbacks: 4 ft (detached); same as primary dwelling for attached; none for conversions of existing structures

Rent: $2,100-$2,400/mo Build: $200,000-$380,000
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Upland, CA

6/10

Max size: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bedroom); 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms); an 800 sq ft ADU can never be precluded by lot coverage, FAR, or open-space standards · Setbacks: 4 ft minimum; none for same-location/same-dimension rebuilds

Rent: $1,950-$2,150/mo Build: $160,000-$300,000
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Massachusetts (6 cities)

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Boston, MA

5/10

Max size: Not as-of-right — ZBA variance required (by-right only in Mattapan) · Setbacks: 20 feet (applies to variance/Mattapan detached units)

Rent: $1,800-$2,400/mo Build: $200,000-$400,000
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Cambridge, MA

8/10

Max size: 900 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling, whichever is less (MA state by-right cap) · Setbacks: 5 ft base (ADU setbacks may not be stricter than principal/accessory standards under 760 CMR 71.03)

Rent: $1,900-$2,500/mo Build: $210,000-$420,000
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Newton, MA

6/10

Max size: 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main building by right; 1,200 sq ft in an existing garage or if the owner occupies the site; up to 1,500 sq ft by special permit · Setbacks: 5 ft for a 1.5-story/22-ft detached ADU; standard principal-dwelling setbacks for taller units

Rent: $2,500-$3,300/mo Build: $250,000-$450,000
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Quincy, MA

6/10

Max size: 900 sq ft or 50% of the principal structure's gross floor area (per 760 CMR 71.02), whichever is less; minimum 320 sq ft for a detached ADU · Setbacks: Detached ADUs must meet the principal-structure yard setbacks in QZO Table 4.1 — varies by district; Confirm with Quincy Inspectional Services

Rent: $2,200-$2,700/mo Build: $250,000-$425,000
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Somerville, MA

7/10

Max size: Local backyard cottage: 576 sq ft max floor plate, max massing 24 ft wide x 32 ft deep; state protected-use ADU: up to 900 sq ft or 50% of principal dwelling GFA, whichever is smaller (reasonable local dimensional standards still apply) · Setbacks: 3 ft minimum (3 or 20 ft where lot abuts an alley); 10 ft minimum separation from the principal building

Rent: $2,600-$3,000/mo Build: $275,000-$450,000
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Worcester, MA

6/10

Max size: 900 sq ft by-right (larger is possible via Planning Board special permit) · Setbacks: 5 ft via the accessory-structure standard (R districts)

Rent: $1,250-$1,650/mo Build: $140,000-$280,000
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