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ADU Rules in Sacramento, California

Complete guide to building an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Sacramento — zoning, setbacks, permits, costs, and more.

Max Size: Local option: 1,200 sq ft for one detached ADU; with two detached ADUs their combined floor area may not exceed 1,200 sq ft, for example 400 + 800 (17.228.105(B)(2)(b)(iii)). Floor area counts everything inside the ADU's building envelope except garages and accessory structures. State option: 800 sq ft for a new detached unit (17.228.105(C)(1)(b)) Setbacks: 3 ft or none under the local option: no rear setback is required for a single-story ADU, or the first floor of a two-story ADU, when the whole unit is more than 60 ft from the front property line; if any part is within 60 ft of the front property line, or for a second floor, the zone's rear setback or 3 ft applies, whichever is less, so 3 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii)). No setback for an existing structure converted or rebuilt to the same footprint. No ADU may sit inside the 20-ft setback from the landside toe of a levee (17.204.240(E)). State option: 4 ft (17.228.105(C)) No Parking Required Verified: 2026-09-19

Researched by ADU Zoning Hub · verified 2026-09-19 against Sacramento planning code and California ADU law · methodology · 27 sources cited ↓

ADU Score: 9/10
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Are ADUs allowed in Sacramento, CA? [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Yes. Sacramento allows ADUs on most residential lots. A detached unit can be up to 1,200 sq ft, set 3 ft back from the rear line. No extra parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required, so the unit can be rented out. A building permit is required and applications are reviewed administratively, without a public hearing.

Maximum sizeLocal option: 1,200 sq ft for one detached ADU; with two detached ADUs their combined floor area may not exceed 1,200 sq ft, for example 400 + 800 (17.228.105(B)(2)(b)(iii)). Floor area counts everything inside the ADU's building envelope except garages and accessory structures. State option: 800 sq ft for a new detached unit (17.228.105(C)(1)(b))
SetbacksRear 3 ft or none under the local option: no rear setback is required for a single-story ADU, or the first floor of a two-story ADU, when the whole unit is more than 60 ft from the front property line; if any part is within 60 ft of the front property line, or for a second floor, the zone's rear setback or 3 ft applies, whichever is less, so 3 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii)). No setback for an existing structure converted or rebuilt to the same footprint. No ADU may sit inside the 20-ft setback from the landside toe of a levee (17.204.240(E)). State option: 4 ft (17.228.105(C)) · Side 3 ft or none for the interior side under the local option, the same rule as the rear: no setback for a single-story unit or first floor more than 60 ft from the front property line, otherwise the zone's setback or 3 ft, whichever is less; the R-1 interior side setback is 5 ft (3 ft on lots under 52 ft wide), so 3 ft governs (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii); 17.204.240(B)). Street side on a corner lot: the zone's full street side setback, 12.5 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.204.240(C), 17.204.540(C)). Detached ADUs must be at least 4 ft from the main house and from each other (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(i)). State option: 4 ft side setbacks
ParkingNone. Sacramento sets no minimum off-street vehicle parking for any land use (SCC 17.608.030(B)), and when a garage, carport or driveway space is removed to build an ADU or JADU no replacement parking is required for the ADU or for the other homes on the lot (17.608.020(K))
Owner-occupancyNot required for an ADU. For a JADU the city code still requires the property owner to live on site unless the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization (17.228.105(B)(3)(b)); state law since January 1, 2026 (Gov. Code 66333(b), AB 1154) allows that requirement only when the JADU shares a bathroom with the main house, so a JADU with its own bathroom should not need owner-occupancy. Confirm with the Planning Division before relying on either reading

Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Sacramento? [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Yes. Every ADU in Sacramento needs a building permit. Applications are handled administratively — no public hearing.

Permit feesCity fee estimate form CDD-0419 (rev. 7/12/2026), at a $170.80 per sq ft valuation: about $5,272 total for a 749 sq ft new detached ADU, $10,624 at 750 sq ft and $14,843 at 1,200 sq ft. Line items at 1,200 sq ft: building permit $1,790.36, plan review $751.95, fire administrative $176, fire inspection $294 ($0.11 per sq ft, $294 minimum), fire plan review $260, planning inspection $526, planning review $263, public works and utilities review $205 deposit each plus hourly, construction excise tax $945.60, general plan fee $533 ($2.60 per $1,000 of valuation), residential construction tax $315, technology fee $254.23. Not included: school district fees (paid to the district, form CDD-0226), regional sanitation and county sewer fees, and any water or sewer tap, housing or project-area impact fees. Optional ADU Zoning Review: $0 (was $117 before July 2026). Optional written fee estimate: $164 (form CDD-0278). Extra review time bills at $216 per hour for Building and $263 per hour for Planning
Typical timeline60 days by law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot, or the ADU is deemed approved (17.228.105(B)(4)(b)-(c), matching SB 543). If the ADU is filed with a permit for a new house the city may wait until the house is approved, and any delay you request stops the clock. Published targets (ADU portal, Step 5): optional zoning review 1-3 weeks; building plan review roughly 1.5-2 months, with review cycle 1 at 20 business days, cycle 2 at 15 and cycle 3 at 5, not counting your time to answer corrections. State law gives a 30-day decision for an application that uses a city-preapproved plan or one identical to a plan approved in the current building-code cycle (Gov. Code 65852.27(b)); ask the Building Division whether a Shelf Ready plan qualifies
Official Sacramento links:

Three things to know before you build in Sacramento

  • Pick the option before you draw: the local option gives 1,200 sq ft, the zone's 35-ft height and 3-ft or zero side and rear setbacks but keeps the 12.5-ft street-side setback on corner lots; the state option gives 800 sq ft at 18-20 ft with 4-ft setbacks and no other zoning standards. Planning says the most common plan error is not stating which set the design follows
  • Stay at 749 sq ft or less: city impact fees are $0 below 750 sq ft and about $5,350 at 750 sq ft; all three free Shelf Ready plans (367, 559 and 747 sq ft) are sized for this
  • File the free optional ADU Zoning Review (CDD-0009) first: it takes 1-3 weeks and catches setback, height, coverage and historic-district problems before you pay for construction drawings

Last verified 2026-09-19 against Sacramento planning code. How we verify

The City of Sacramento approves ADUs and junior ADUs with a ministerial building permit under Sacramento City Code Section 17.228.105, last amended by Ordinance 2026-0001. You choose one of two rule sets and cannot mix them: the city's local option (17.228.105(B)) allows two ADUs on a lot with a house, duplex or apartment building, a detached ADU of up to 1,200 sq ft, the zone's own height limit (35 ft in R-1 and R-2) and side and rear setbacks of 3 ft or none; the state option (17.228.105(C)) allows an 800 sq ft detached unit at 18 to 20 ft with 4-ft setbacks plus a conversion ADU and a 500 sq ft JADU. No off-street parking is required for any use in the city. The city's own fee estimate (form CDD-0419, July 2026) totals about $5,272 for a 749 sq ft unit and $10,624 at 750 sq ft, where park, flood-control and transportation impact fees switch on, and the city must decide a complete application within 60 days or it is deemed approved.

Outside city limits? If your property is in unincorporated Sacramento County (not within Sacramento's boundaries), different rules apply — see our Sacramento County (unincorporated) ADU rules.

Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Yes — Sacramento allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,200 sq ft under current California and Sacramento zoning rules.

See what this means for your lot — ask Sacramento ADU builders for a quote →

Allowed ZonesAny lot in a zone that lists 'Dwelling unit, accessory' and 'Dwelling unit, junior accessory' as accessory uses, which includes the R-1 and R-2 residential zones (SCC 17.204.210(C), 17.204.510(C)), provided the lot already has, or is concurrently building, a single-unit, duplex or multi-unit dwelling (17.228.105(B)(2)(a)(i)); under the state option, any residential or mixed-use zone (17.228.105(C)(1)). Exceptions: no ADUs in the Executive Airport clear zone EA-1, and only one ADU or JADU per lot in the EA-2 and EA-3 approach zones (17.312.060). In a historic district or on a landmark property a local-option ADU must also meet the city's ADU Design Standards for Historic Properties (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(vi)). Check your zone and overlays in the city's Land Information Lookup App
Max Size (Detached)Local option: 1,200 sq ft for one detached ADU; with two detached ADUs their combined floor area may not exceed 1,200 sq ft, for example 400 + 800 (17.228.105(B)(2)(b)(iii)). Floor area counts everything inside the ADU's building envelope except garages and accessory structures. State option: 800 sq ft for a new detached unit (17.228.105(C)(1)(b))
Max Size (Attached)Local option: the greater of 50% of the primary dwelling's existing floor area, or 850 sq ft for a studio or one-bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft with two or more bedrooms (17.228.105(B)(2)(b)(ii)); on a 3,000 sq ft house that allows a 1,500 sq ft attached ADU. State option: a conversion of existing space in the house or an accessory structure, with up to 150 sq ft added only for entry and exit (17.228.105(C)(1)(a))
Max Size (JADU)500 sq ft, inside the walls of a single-unit dwelling including an attached garage, with its own outside entrance and an efficiency kitchen with a cooking appliance, counter and cabinets. A JADU without its own bathroom must also keep an interior door to the main house. A deed restriction barring separate sale must be recorded before final inspection (17.228.105(B)(3))
Max HeightLocal option: the height limit of the lot's zone applies to the ADU, which is 35 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(ii); 17.204.220(A), 17.204.520(A)). State option: 18 ft, or 20 ft where extra height is needed to match the roof pitch of the main house (17.228.105(C)(1)(b)). In a historic district or on a landmark lot a detached ADU may not be more than 150% of the height of the contributing building on the same or an adjoining parcel (ADU Design Standards for Historic Properties, Standard 2.1)
Max UnitsLocal option (17.228.105(B)(1)(a)): a lot with a single-unit dwelling may have two ADUs, one ADU plus one JADU, or two JADUs; a lot with a duplex or multi-unit dwelling may have two ADUs. State option (17.228.105(C)): a single-unit lot may have one conversion ADU, one JADU and one detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft; an existing multi-unit lot may add up to eight detached ADUs, never more than the number of existing units, plus conversions of non-living space equal to at least one or 25% of existing units; a proposed multi-unit lot may add two detached ADUs. You must pick one option; the two cannot be combined (17.228.105(A)). EA-2 and EA-3 airport overlay lots are limited to one ADU or JADU; EA-1 allows none (17.312.060)

Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Sacramento requires a rear setback of about 3 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.

Rear Setback3 ft or none under the local option: no rear setback is required for a single-story ADU, or the first floor of a two-story ADU, when the whole unit is more than 60 ft from the front property line; if any part is within 60 ft of the front property line, or for a second floor, the zone's rear setback or 3 ft applies, whichever is less, so 3 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii)). No setback for an existing structure converted or rebuilt to the same footprint. No ADU may sit inside the 20-ft setback from the landside toe of a levee (17.204.240(E)). State option: 4 ft (17.228.105(C))
Side Setback3 ft or none for the interior side under the local option, the same rule as the rear: no setback for a single-story unit or first floor more than 60 ft from the front property line, otherwise the zone's setback or 3 ft, whichever is less; the R-1 interior side setback is 5 ft (3 ft on lots under 52 ft wide), so 3 ft governs (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii); 17.204.240(B)). Street side on a corner lot: the zone's full street side setback, 12.5 ft in R-1 and R-2 (17.204.240(C), 17.204.540(C)). Detached ADUs must be at least 4 ft from the main house and from each other (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(i)). State option: 4 ft side setbacks
Front SetbackLocal option: the zone's front setback applies to any part of an ADU within 60 ft of the front property line. In R-1 and R-2 that setback matches the two nearest houses on the same side of the block, or 20 ft if there is no other building on that block face (17.204.240(A), 17.204.540(A)). One ADU of 800 sq ft or less may be built inside the front setback when the rear and side yards cannot fit a two-story detached ADU of at least 800 sq ft or an attached ADU of at least 800 sq ft (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(iii)(4)). State option: no zoning standard other than 17.228.105(C) applies to a qualifying unit (17.228.105(C)(3))
Parking RequiredNone. Sacramento sets no minimum off-street vehicle parking for any land use (SCC 17.608.030(B)), and when a garage, carport or driveway space is removed to build an ADU or JADU no replacement parking is required for the ADU or for the other homes on the lot (17.608.020(K))
Owner OccupancyNot required for an ADU. For a JADU the city code still requires the property owner to live on site unless the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization (17.228.105(B)(3)(b)); state law since January 1, 2026 (Gov. Code 66333(b), AB 1154) allows that requirement only when the JADU shares a bathroom with the main house, so a JADU with its own bathroom should not need owner-occupancy. Confirm with the Planning Division before relying on either reading
Min Lot SizeNo minimum lot size, width or depth for an ADU (17.228.105 sets none). The R-1 and R-2 minimums of 5,200 sq ft interior and 6,200 sq ft corner (17.204.230, 17.204.530) govern creating new lots, not adding an ADU. Under the local option an ADU covering less than 800 sq ft of the lot is exempt from the zone's lot-coverage cap of 40% or 2,500 sq ft (never over 50%) and from the open-space minimum (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(ii); 17.204.220(C))

Permit Process & Fees [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

An ADU permit in Sacramento goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Typical timeline: 60 days by law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot, or the ADU is deemed approved (17.228.105(B)(4)(b)-(c), matching SB 543). If the ADU is filed with a permit for a new house the city may wait until the house is approved, and any delay you request stops the clock. Published targets (ADU portal, Step 5): optional zoning review 1-3 weeks; building plan review roughly 1.5-2 months, with review cycle 1 at 20 business days, cycle 2 at 15 and cycle 3 at 5, not counting your time to answer corrections. State law gives a 30-day decision for an application that uses a city-preapproved plan or one identical to a plan approved in the current building-code cycle (Gov. Code 65852.27(b)); ask the Building Division whether a Shelf Ready plan qualifies. Permit fees: City fee estimate form CDD-0419 (rev. 7/12/2026), at a $170.80 per sq ft valuation: about $5,272 total for a 749 sq ft new detached ADU, $10,624 at 750 sq ft and $14,843 at 1,200 sq ft. Line items at 1,200 sq ft: building permit $1,790.36, plan review $751.95, fire administrative $176, fire inspection $294 ($0.11 per sq ft, $294 minimum), fire plan review $260, planning inspection $526, planning review $263, public works and utilities review $205 deposit each plus hourly, construction excise tax $945.60, general plan fee $533 ($2.60 per $1,000 of valuation), residential construction tax $315, technology fee $254.23. Not included: school district fees (paid to the district, form CDD-0226), regional sanitation and county sewer fees, and any water or sewer tap, housing or project-area impact fees. Optional ADU Zoning Review: $0 (was $117 before July 2026). Optional written fee estimate: $164 (form CDD-0278). Extra review time bills at $216 per hour for Building and $263 per hour for Planning.

Approval ProcessMinisterial building permit; no hearing or discretionary review for a code-compliant unit (17.228.105(B)(4)). In order: 1) confirm your zone and any historic or airport overlay in the Land Information Lookup App; 2) optional free ADU Zoning Review (form CDD-0009, filed through the E-Planning portal) so Planning checks setbacks, height, coverage and historic standards before you pay for construction drawings; 3) tree permit if a protected tree is affected (City Code Ch. 12.56); 4) file the building permit set through Electronic Plan Check with a scaled site plan, structural, electrical, Title 24 energy, CALGreen and solar sheets (paper sets of 11 x 17 in. or larger still accepted at the counter); 5) Building routes the set to Planning, Fire, Public Works and Utilities; 6) request an address for each ADU (form CDD-0104, up to four weeks); 7) pay fees at permit pickup. The Planning Division's ADU portal says no separate planning approval is needed before applying, while the Building Division's ADU handout (CDD-0423, rev. 1/29/2026) still says planning approval or an approved concurrent-review MOU must be obtained first; ask the Building Division (ezpermit@cityofsacramento.org) which applies to your submittal. A unit that misses a local standard may apply for discretionary Site Plan and Design Review under Ch. 17.808 (17.228.105(B)(5))
Review Timeline60 days by law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot, or the ADU is deemed approved (17.228.105(B)(4)(b)-(c), matching SB 543). If the ADU is filed with a permit for a new house the city may wait until the house is approved, and any delay you request stops the clock. Published targets (ADU portal, Step 5): optional zoning review 1-3 weeks; building plan review roughly 1.5-2 months, with review cycle 1 at 20 business days, cycle 2 at 15 and cycle 3 at 5, not counting your time to answer corrections. State law gives a 30-day decision for an application that uses a city-preapproved plan or one identical to a plan approved in the current building-code cycle (Gov. Code 65852.27(b)); ask the Building Division whether a Shelf Ready plan qualifies
Permit FeesCity fee estimate form CDD-0419 (rev. 7/12/2026), at a $170.80 per sq ft valuation: about $5,272 total for a 749 sq ft new detached ADU, $10,624 at 750 sq ft and $14,843 at 1,200 sq ft. Line items at 1,200 sq ft: building permit $1,790.36, plan review $751.95, fire administrative $176, fire inspection $294 ($0.11 per sq ft, $294 minimum), fire plan review $260, planning inspection $526, planning review $263, public works and utilities review $205 deposit each plus hourly, construction excise tax $945.60, general plan fee $533 ($2.60 per $1,000 of valuation), residential construction tax $315, technology fee $254.23. Not included: school district fees (paid to the district, form CDD-0226), regional sanitation and county sewer fees, and any water or sewer tap, housing or project-area impact fees. Optional ADU Zoning Review: $0 (was $117 before July 2026). Optional written fee estimate: $164 (form CDD-0278). Extra review time bills at $216 per hour for Building and $263 per hour for Planning
Impact FeesCity impact fees are zero for an ADU under 750 sq ft and switch on at 750 sq ft (CDD-0423; CDD-0419). At 750 sq ft: park development impact fee $2,617.50, SAFCA flood-control fee $1,575, Sacramento Transportation Authority mitigation fee plus 2% admin $1,154.64, about $5,347 together; at 1,200 sq ft: $4,188, $2,520 and $1,415.76. The citywide Transportation Development Impact Fee shows $0 at all three sizes, and the form notes park, SAFCA and STA fees may be lower in some infill areas. School district fees apply at any size and are collected by the district. The city's 'Reduction of Development Impact Fees' program is for deed-restricted affordable units, not a general ADU waiver
Plan CheckElectronic Plan Check through the city's online permit portal. A detached ADU needs no fire sprinklers if the main house is unsprinklered and the ADU, excluding garage, is 1,200 sq ft or less; an attached ADU is exempt if the house is unsprinklered, the addition is no more than 50% of the original and the total stays under 3,600 sq ft. One water service per lot: the ADU ties into the house's water and sewer lines and normally needs no separate meter (City Code 13.04.070). Rooftop solar may be required under the California Energy Code; SMUD offers a free service consultation (CDD-0423, CDD-0009)
Pre-Approved PlansYes, two programs. 1) Shelf Ready ADU Plans: three free city-designed detached plans, all-electric and built to the 2022 Residential Code, updated December 2025: studio 367 sq ft, one-bedroom 559 sq ft, two-bedroom 747 sq ft. Mirroring is allowed, other changes are not, and you supply the site plan. All three stay under the 750 sq ft impact-fee threshold. 2) AB 1332 Preapproved ADU Program for third-party detached plans (Gov. Code 65852.27): the process exists but the city's catalog listed no plans as of September 19, 2026. Either route still needs site-specific zoning and building review

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Construction Costs [19][20][21][22]

Building an ADU in Sacramento typically costs $170,000-$400,000 ($250-$500 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $90,000-$200,000.

See what this means for your lot — ask Sacramento ADU builders for a quote →

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

Finance Your ADU Project

Most ADU projects are funded through HELOCs, construction loans, or cash-out refinancing. Compare rates from top lenders.

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Rental Income Potential [23][24][25]

A 2-bedroom ADU in Sacramento rents for around $1,800-$2,250/mo, an estimated 5-10% gross rental yield on a $250,000-$400,000 detached build renting at $1,800-$2,250/mo; a $90,000-$200,000 garage conversion at $1,500-$1,850/mo can gross 9-20% (estimates before taxes, vacancy and financing).

Avg Rent (1 Bedroom)$1,500-$1,850/mo
Avg Rent (2 Bedroom)$1,800-$2,250/mo
Short-Term RentalDepends on which option the ADU was approved under.
Est. Annual ROI5-10% gross rental yield on a $250,000-$400,000 detached build renting at $1,800-$2,250/mo; a $90,000-$200,000 garage conversion at $1,500-$1,850/mo can gross 9-20% (estimates before taxes, vacancy and financing)

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Recent Law Changes

What's Changed Recently

  • Ordinance 2026-0001 (Section 25) is the latest amendment to SCC 17.228.105; the code on file is current through Supplement 4 (July 2026, including Ord. 2026-0019 of August 25, 2026) and still requires owner-occupancy for every JADU, so the AB 1154 shared-bathroom rule has not yet been written into the city code
  • Optional ADU Zoning Review fee dropped from $117 to $0: form CDD-0009 (June 23, 2026) states the fee ends July 12, 2026; the Streamline Sacramento council presentation of February 24, 2026 had announced July 1, 2026
  • ADU fee estimate form CDD-0419 reissued July 12, 2026 at a $170.80 per sq ft valuation: about $5,272 at 749 sq ft, $10,624 at 750 sq ft and $14,843 at 1,200 sq ft, with impact fees starting at 750 sq ft
  • ADU Design Standards for Historic Properties published February 2026: objective placement, height (150% of the contributing building) and width rules for detached ADUs in historic districts and on landmark lots; Building Division ADU handout CDD-0423 revised January 29, 2026; Shelf Ready ADU Plans updated December 2025 (367, 559 and 747 sq ft)
  • City code sets no minimum off-street parking for any land use (17.608.030(B), last amended by Ord. 2025-0007) and requires no replacement parking when a garage or driveway is removed for an ADU (17.608.020(K))
  • SB 543 (January 2026): 60-day deemed approval, already written into 17.228.105(B)(4)(c); AB 1154 (January 2026): JADU owner-occupancy only where the JADU shares a bathroom (Gov. Code 66333(b)); SB 1211 reflected in 17.228.105(C)(1)(d): up to 8 detached ADUs on existing multi-unit lots

Tips for Building an ADU in Sacramento

  • Pick the option before you draw: the local option gives 1,200 sq ft, the zone's 35-ft height and 3-ft or zero side and rear setbacks but keeps the 12.5-ft street-side setback on corner lots; the state option gives 800 sq ft at 18-20 ft with 4-ft setbacks and no other zoning standards. Planning says the most common plan error is not stating which set the design follows
  • Stay at 749 sq ft or less: city impact fees are $0 below 750 sq ft and about $5,350 at 750 sq ft; all three free Shelf Ready plans (367, 559 and 747 sq ft) are sized for this
  • File the free optional ADU Zoning Review (CDD-0009) first: it takes 1-3 weeks and catches setback, height, coverage and historic-district problems before you pay for construction drawings
  • No parking is required and a garage conversion needs no replacement space for the house; a converted garage or shed also needs no setback if it keeps its footprint
  • Two-story ADUs under the local option need only 3-ft side and rear setbacks for the upper floor, but a balcony, deck or stair landing within 10 ft of a side or rear line may not be more than 3 ft above grade unless that line abuts an alley or street (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(v))
  • Check trees and power early: a tree permit under City Code Ch. 12.56 may be required, removal is only authorized when the tree physically prevents building up to two units of at least 800 sq ft, and SMUD offers a free consultation on serving an infill unit
  • Cost basis (2026-09-19 re-verification): avg build cost $170,000-$400,000 for a new detached ADU of 500-1,000 sq ft, from Sacramento contractor guides dated April-June 2026 ($165,000-$420,000 across Good Life Construction, Upside ADU and ADU Wizard); cost per sq ft $250-$500 (Good Life $300-$500 detached, Upside $250-$360, ADU Wizard $300-$510); garage conversion $90,000-$200,000 (Upside from $95,000 at $190-$360 per sq ft, ADU Wizard $90,000-$180,000, Result Construction $150,000-$250,000); prefab $170,000-$340,000 installed for 500-900 sq ft (ADU Wizard 2026). City permit and impact fees are separate; see the CDD-0419 figures above. Rents: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent for the Sacramento metro is $1,832 for a 1BR and $2,255 for a 2BR; Zumper (September 2026) lists $1,485 and $1,805 and RentCafe (August 31, 2026) $1,679 and $1,953
  • Cost basis (2026-09-19 re-verification): short term allowed: Depends on which option the ADU was approved under. Local option (17.228.105(B)(1)(c)): an ADU may be rented for under 30 days as a short-term rental under 17.228.104(C), which needs a short-term rental permit under City Code Ch. 5.114, caps lodgers at six and limits a unit that is not the permittee's primary residence to 90 nights a year. State option (17.228.105(C)(2)): no rentals under 30 days. JADUs: state law requires rentals longer than 30 days (Gov. Code 66333(g)). An ADU cannot be sold separately from the main house except under Gov. Code 66341 (17.228.105(B)(2)(a)(ii))

ADU Builders in Sacramento

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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.

  1. Sacramento City Code 17.228.105 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 2026-0001) | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  2. Sacramento City Code 17.204.210-17.204.240 R-1 zone: permitted uses, height, lot size, setbacks | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  3. Sacramento City Code 17.204.510-17.204.540 R-2 zone: permitted uses, height, lot size, setbacks | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  4. Sacramento City Code 17.608.020(K) Parking exemptions for ADUs and JADUs | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  5. Sacramento City Code 17.608.030(B) No minimum off-street vehicle parking for any land use | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  6. Sacramento City Code 17.312.060 Executive Airport overlay land use compatibility table (EA-1 to EA-4) | American Legal Publishing Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-19
  7. Step 1: Is an ADU Allowed on My Property? Local vs State ADU standards | City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  8. Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Standards for Historic Properties (February 2026) | City of Sacramento Planning Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  9. California Government Code 66333 (JADU owner-occupancy and rental term, as amended by AB 1154 effective 1/1/2026) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  10. Step 5: Application Submittal, permitting timeline and addressing | City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  11. Step 4: Costs and Budget, city permit and development fees | City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  12. CDD-0419 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Fee Estimate, New Construction (rev. 07-12-2026) | City of Sacramento Building Division Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  13. CDD-0423 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Handout (rev. 01-29-2026) | City of Sacramento Building Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  14. CDD-0009 ADU Optional Zoning Review Application (06/23/2026; no fee from July 12, 2026) | City of Sacramento Planning Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  15. Shelf Ready ADU Plans | City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  16. Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Units (AB-1332) program page | City of Sacramento Building Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  17. Streamline Sacramento: Development Process Improvements, City Council presentation 2/24/2026 (ADU zoning review fee waiver; Shelf Ready plans updated Dec 2025) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  18. California Government Code 65852.27 (AB 1332 preapproved ADU plans; 30-day decision) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  19. How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU in Sacramento (updated April 28, 2026) | Good Life Construction industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
  20. How Much Does an ADU Cost in Sacramento? (updated June 12, 2026) | Upside ADU industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
  21. How Much Does an ADU Cost in Sacramento in 2026? | ADU Wizard industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
  22. Garage Conversion ADU in Sacramento: Complete 2026 Guide | Result Construction industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
  23. HUD Fair Market Rents FY2026, Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  24. Sacramento, CA Rent Research (September 2026) | Zumper Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  25. Average Rent in Sacramento, CA (August 31, 2026) | RentCafe Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
  26. City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
  27. What are ADUs? | City of Sacramento ADU Resource Center Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in Sacramento?

Yes. ADUs are allowed in Any lot in a zone that lists 'Dwelling unit, accessory' and 'Dwelling unit, junior accessory' as accessory uses, which includes the R-1 and R-2 residential zones (SCC 17.204.210(C), 17.204.510(C)), provided the lot already has, or is concurrently building, a single-unit, duplex or multi-unit dwelling (17.228.105(B)(2)(a)(i)); under the state option, any residential or mixed-use zone (17.228.105(C)(1)). Exceptions: no ADUs in the Executive Airport clear zone EA-1, and only one ADU or JADU per lot in the EA-2 and EA-3 approach zones (17.312.060). In a historic district or on a landmark property a local-option ADU must also meet the city's ADU Design Standards for Historic Properties (17.228.105(B)(2)(c)(vi)). Check your zone and overlays in the city's Land Information Lookup App in Sacramento. The maximum size for a detached ADU is Local option: 1,200 sq ft for one detached ADU; with two detached ADUs their combined floor area may not exceed 1,200 sq ft, for example 400 + 800 (17.228.105(B)(2)(b)(iii)). Floor area counts everything inside the ADU's building envelope except garages and accessory structures. State option: 800 sq ft for a new detached unit (17.228.105(C)(1)(b)). Owner-occupancy is not required, so you can rent out the ADU.

How much does an ADU cost in Sacramento?

ADU construction in Sacramento typically costs $170,000-$400,000. Garage conversions run $90,000-$200,000, and prefab ADUs cost $170,000-$340,000.

How much can I rent an ADU for in Sacramento?

Average ADU rents in Sacramento are $1,500-$1,850/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,800-$2,250/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.

Do I need parking for an ADU in Sacramento?

None. Sacramento sets no minimum off-street vehicle parking for any land use (SCC 17.608.030(B)), and when a garage, carport or driveway space is removed to build an ADU or JADU no replacement parking is required for the ADU or for the other homes on the lot (17.608.020(K)). Check with Sacramento planning department for the latest California ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.

How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Sacramento?

The permit review timeline in Sacramento is 60 days by law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot, or the ADU is deemed approved (17.228.105(B)(4)(b)-(c), matching SB 543). If the ADU is filed with a permit for a new house the city may wait until the house is approved, and any delay you request stops the clock. Published targets (ADU portal, Step 5): optional zoning review 1-3 weeks; building plan review roughly 1.5-2 months, with review cycle 1 at 20 business days, cycle 2 at 15 and cycle 3 at 5, not counting your time to answer corrections. State law gives a 30-day decision for an application that uses a city-preapproved plan or one identical to a plan approved in the current building-code cycle (Gov. Code 65852.27(b)); ask the Building Division whether a Shelf Ready plan qualifies. Permit fees: City fee estimate form CDD-0419 (rev. 7/12/2026), at a $170.80 per sq ft valuation: about $5,272 total for a 749 sq ft new detached ADU, $10,624 at 750 sq ft and $14,843 at 1,200 sq ft. Line items at 1,200 sq ft: building permit $1,790.36, plan review $751.95, fire administrative $176, fire inspection $294 ($0.11 per sq ft, $294 minimum), fire plan review $260, planning inspection $526, planning review $263, public works and utilities review $205 deposit each plus hourly, construction excise tax $945.60, general plan fee $533 ($2.60 per $1,000 of valuation), residential construction tax $315, technology fee $254.23. Not included: school district fees (paid to the district, form CDD-0226), regional sanitation and county sewer fees, and any water or sewer tap, housing or project-area impact fees. Optional ADU Zoning Review: $0 (was $117 before July 2026). Optional written fee estimate: $164 (form CDD-0278). Extra review time bills at $216 per hour for Building and $263 per hour for Planning.

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Sacramento ADU FAQ

Answers to every common question about building an ADU in Sacramento — costs, rules, permits, rental income.

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Sacramento ADU Costs

Detailed cost breakdown: construction $170,000-$400,000, garage conversion $90,000-$200,000, plus ROI analysis.

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Garage Conversion ADU Guide

Complete guide to costs ($80K-$180K), impact fee savings, and permits for garage-to-ADU conversions.

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California ADU Laws 2026

AB 462, AB 1154, SB 9 — every new law affecting ADU construction in California this year.

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About this information: This page is an informational summary of publicly available regulations - it is not legal, financial, or professional advice, and it is not a substitute for confirming requirements with your local planning department. Rules change frequently; always verify current requirements before designing, budgeting, or building. Last verified: 2026-09-19. Contractors we introduce are independent businesses - verify license and insurance directly before hiring. Spotted an error? Tell us - we verify against primary sources and correct quickly.

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