Yes: Elk Grove allows one ADU plus one junior ADU on any lot with a house, in every residential, agricultural-residential and agricultural zone, by ministerial zoning clearance/plan check under EGMC Chapter 23.90. A detached ADU may be up to 1,200 sq ft, an attached one up to 50% of the house or 850/1,000 sq ft (studio-1BR/2BR+), with 4 ft side and rear setbacks and no owner-occupancy rule. The city runs an Over the Counter ADU Program built on its own pre-approved plans, the school fee is waived for units 750 sq ft or less, and state law now requires a decision within 60 days. The code moved to eCode360 in 2026 and its 2025 amendments could not be re-read on 9/20; confirm current standards with Planning at (916) 478-2256.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Yes — Elk Grove allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,200 sq ft under current California and Elk Grove zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | All residential, agricultural-residential and agricultural zoning districts, on any lot zoned for single-family, multifamily or mixed use that has an existing or proposed dwelling (EGMC 23.90.030, 23.90.040(B)). ADUs are an accessory use and do not count toward the lot's density (23.90.030). |
| Max Size (Detached) | 1,200 sq ft (EGMC 23.90.040(F)(2)); minimum 150 sq ft (23.90.040(E)). A conversion of an existing accessory structure may expand up to 150 sq ft for entry and exit (23.90.040(D)(1)). |
| Max Size (Attached) | 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, but always at least 850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms (EGMC 23.90.040(F)(1); state floor Gov. Code 66321(b)(2)). |
| Max Size (JADU) | 500 sq ft, inside the walls of the single-family house, with a separate entrance and an efficiency kitchen (EGMC 23.90.050(B)-(D)). |
| Max Height | Attached: no taller than the primary dwelling (EGMC 23.90.040(H)); state guarantees 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower (Gov. Code 66321). Detached: 16 ft where it sits in a required yard, the zone limit elsewhere (23.90.040(H)); state floor 18 ft plus 2 ft for a matching roof pitch within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop, and 18 ft on a multistory multifamily lot. Agricultural and AR zones: 30 ft (23.90.040(H)). |
| Max Units | Single-family lot: 1 ADU or JADU converted from existing or proposed space plus 1 detached new-construction ADU (EGMC 23.90.040(D)(1)-(2)); 1 JADU per lot (Gov. Code 66333). Multifamily lot: interior conversions of non-livable space, at least 1 and up to 25% of existing units (23.90.040(D)(4)), plus detached units: state law allows up to 8 with an existing multifamily building (not more than the unit count) and 2 with a proposed one (Gov. Code 66323(a)(4)); the 2021 city text still reads 2. |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Elk Grove requires a rear setback of about 4 ft for a detached ADU, and parking requirements vary by unit size or location. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 4 ft for new construction (EGMC 23.90.040(G)(2)); none for a conversion of existing living space or an accessory structure, or a rebuild in the same location and dimensions (23.90.040(G)(1)). |
| Side Setback | 4 ft interior side for new construction (EGMC 23.90.040(G)(2)); none for conversions or same-footprint rebuilds (23.90.040(G)(1)). |
| Front Setback | Front and street-side setbacks are those of the underlying zoning district (EGMC 23.90.040(G)(2)). |
| Parking Required | State law caps ADU parking at 1 space per unit (Gov. Code 66314(a)(10)); the 2021 city text says 1 per bedroom, so the state cap controls. None within 1/2 mile walk of public transit including any bus stop, in a historic district, for a conversion of the house or an accessory structure, where permit parking is unavailable, or with a car-share within a block (EGMC 23.90.040(J)); tandem driveway parking allowed (23.90.040(K)); no replacement parking for a converted garage (OTC handout). |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required for ADUs; the city's handout confirms both the house and the ADU may be rentals (OTC handout B-04-10; Gov. Code 66315). JADUs: EGMC 23.90.050(F) requires the owner to live in the house or the JADU, which under AB 1154 (in effect Jan 1, 2026) may be enforced only where the JADU shares a bathroom with the main house. |
| Min Lot Size | No minimum lot size in EGMC 23.90; the lot needs an existing or proposed dwelling (23.90.040(B)). |
Permit Process & Fees [7][8][9][10][11]
An ADU permit in Elk Grove goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Typical timeline: State law requires the city to approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days, and it is deemed approved if the city misses that (Gov. Code 66317, SB 543, since Jan 1, 2026). No average review time is published; the OTC path issues at the counter once outside-agency signoffs are in hand. Permit fees: The Building Division charges a set fee per ADU for plan review, inspections and administrative time (OTC handout B-04-10) and did not publish the 2026 amount on a page readable on 9/20; ask a permit technician at (916) 478-2235 for a written estimate before you design.
| Approval Process | Ministerial zoning clearance/plan check with the building permit (EGMC 23.90.030, 23.90.040); no hearing. Over the Counter ADU Program (Policy B-04-10) for projects using the city's pre-approved plans: pre-application meeting with Building, Planning and Engineering, then Cosumnes CSD Fire, health and school-district signoffs, then the permit issues over the counter. Building Division (916) 478-2235, Planning (916) 478-2256. |
| Review Timeline | State law requires the city to approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days, and it is deemed approved if the city misses that (Gov. Code 66317, SB 543, since Jan 1, 2026). No average review time is published; the OTC path issues at the counter once outside-agency signoffs are in hand. |
| Permit Fees | The Building Division charges a set fee per ADU for plan review, inspections and administrative time (OTC handout B-04-10) and did not publish the 2026 amount on a page readable on 9/20; ask a permit technician at (916) 478-2235 for a written estimate before you design. |
| Impact Fees | City impact fees are waived for an ADU of 750 sq ft or less of interior livable space and charged in proportion to the primary dwelling above that (Gov. Code 66311.5). Elk Grove Unified School District: $7.23 per sq ft of new residential space effective July 1, 2026, with ADUs 750 sq ft or less exempt, paid directly to the district (EGUSD Facilities and Planning); an 800 sq ft unit owes about $5,780, a 1,200 sq ft unit about $8,680. |
| Plan Check | Plan check is folded into the building permit; the pre-approved city plans skip architectural review, leaving the site plan, Title 24 energy documentation and outside-agency signoffs (OTC handout B-04-10). New detached ADUs need a rooftop solar system under a separate PV permit issued after the ADU permit and finished before final inspection; sprinklers only if the main house has them (handout FAQ). |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes. The city publishes its own pre-approved ADU plan set for the Over the Counter program, including a 2-bedroom 746 sq ft unit (Plan 3) issued on the 2025 California codes. The current count of plans, the 1-bedroom size and whether they remain free could not be re-read on 9/20 (city site behind a bot check); confirm with the Building Division. State law also lets you submit any plan already approved on a different lot in the same code cycle for a 30-day review (Gov. Code 65852.27). |
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Construction Costs [12][13][14][15]
Building an ADU in Elk Grove typically costs $170,000-$400,000 ($250-$500 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $90,000-$200,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $170,000-$400,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $250-$500 |
| Garage Conversion | $90,000-$200,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $170,000-$340,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [16][17][18]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Elk Grove rents for around $2,200-$3,100/mo, an estimated 6-12% gross rental yield on a $250,000-$400,000 detached build renting at $2,200-$3,100/mo; a $90,000-$200,000 garage conversion at $1,900-$2,500/mo can gross 11-25% (before taxes, vacancy and financing).
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,900-$2,500/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $2,200-$3,100/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | No. An ADU may be rented separately from the house, but only for terms longer than 30 days, and it cannot be sold separately from the house (EGMC 23.90.040(I)); a JADU cannot be sold separately either (23.90.050(F)). |
| Est. Annual ROI | 6-12% gross rental yield on a $250,000-$400,000 detached build renting at $2,200-$3,100/mo; a $90,000-$200,000 garage conversion at $1,900-$2,500/mo can gross 11-25% (before taxes, vacancy and financing) |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- 2026-09-20 re-verification: the code host changed (Code Publishing now redirects to General Code eCode360, EL4423); the 2025 amendment to Chapter 23.90 (Ord. 13-2025 per the July 2026 entry) could not be re-read because eCode360 and elkgrove.gov sit behind a bot check, so this page cites the last readable codified text (Ord. 16-2021) plus the state floor; parking corrected to the state cap of 1 space per ADU, multifamily count updated to the state's 8 detached units, and the EGUSD school fee ($7.23 per sq ft from July 1, 2026, 750 sq ft or less exempt) added
- SB 543 (Jan 1, 2026): ADU applications must be approved or denied within 60 days and are deemed approved if the city misses the deadline
- AB 1154 (Jan 1, 2026): JADU owner-occupancy may be required only where the JADU shares a bathroom with the main house
- SB 1211 (Jan 1, 2025): up to 8 detached ADUs on a lot with an existing multifamily building, capped at the existing unit count (Gov. Code 66323)
- City pre-approved ADU plans re-issued on the 2025 California codes (2-bedroom 746 sq ft unit, Plan 3)
Tips for Building an ADU in Elk Grove
- Cost basis: build $170,000-$400,000 and $250-$500 per sq ft for a 500-1,000 sq ft detached unit from Sacramento-region contractor guides dated April-June 2026 (Good Life Construction, Upside ADU, ADU Wizard); garage conversion $90,000-$200,000 (Upside, ADU Wizard, Result Construction); prefab $170,000-$340,000 installed (ADU Wizard, single source). Rents: Zumper Elk Grove medians on Sept 19, 2026 were $2,031 (1BR) and $2,228 (2BR); HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents run $2,000-$2,670 (1BR) and $2,460-$3,280 (2BR) across ZIPs 95758, 95624 and 95757, easing to $1,980-$2,550 and $2,430-$3,130 on Oct 1, 2026 (FY2027)
- Keep the unit at 750 sq ft or less of interior livable space and you owe no city impact fees and no EGUSD school fee; at 800 sq ft the school fee alone is about $5,780 at the July 2026 rate of $7.23 per sq ft
- The Over the Counter ADU Program only works with the city's own pre-approved plans: book the pre-application meeting with Building, Planning and Engineering first, then collect the Cosumnes CSD Fire, health and school-district signoffs, and the permit issues at the counter
- New detached ADUs need rooftop solar under the California Energy Code, permitted separately and installed before final inspection; a garage conversion or an ADU inside the house does not, and sprinklers are required only if the main house has them
- Any bus stop within a half-mile walk, a garage or interior conversion, or a historic district removes the parking space entirely; otherwise state law caps it at one space, which can sit in tandem on the driveway
- Agricultural and agricultural-residential lots may build a detached ADU up to 30 ft tall (EGMC 23.90.040(H)), unusual flexibility for larger properties
ADU Builders in Elk Grove
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- EGMC Chapter 23.90 Accessory Dwelling Units (Ord. 16-2021 text, Wayback capture of the former Code Publishing host, June 13, 2024) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Elk Grove Municipal Code on eCode360 (EL4423), current host since 2026 Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Cal. Gov. Code 66321 (ADU size and height floors) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Cal. Gov. Code 66323 (ADUs allowed without local standards, incl. 8 detached on multifamily lots) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Cal. Gov. Code 66314 (ADU ordinance standards incl. parking cap) and 66315 (no owner-occupancy for ADUs) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- AB 1154 (2025), junior accessory dwelling units, chaptered Oct 10, 2025 state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Over the Counter Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program, Policy and Procedure B-04-10 (January 2023), City of Elk Grove Building Safety and Inspection (Wayback capture July 26, 2025) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- City Pre-Approved ADU Plans: Plan 3, 2-bedroom unit, 746 sq ft, locked to 2025 codes (City of Elk Grove; file name only, content not readable 9/20) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Developer Fees, Facilities and Planning, Elk Grove Unified School District (rates effective July 1, 2026) school_district — Accessed 2026-09-20
- SB 543 (2025), ADU applications deemed approved after 60 days state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Cal. Gov. Code 66311.5 (impact fee exemption for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU in Sacramento (updated April 28, 2026) | Good Life Construction industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
- How Much Does an ADU Cost in Sacramento? (updated June 12, 2026) | Upside ADU industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
- How Much Does an ADU Cost in Sacramento in 2026? | ADU Wizard industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
- Garage Conversion ADU in Sacramento: Complete 2026 Guide | Result Construction industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
- HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026 and FY2027, ZIPs 95624, 95757, 95758 (Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade HUD Metro FMR Area) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Elk Grove, CA Rent Research (last updated September 19, 2026) | Zumper Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- EGMC 23.90.040(I) and 23.90.050(F): rental terms longer than 30 days, no separate sale Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently Asked Questions
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