Upland allows ADUs on any residential or mixed-use lot under Municipal Code Chapter 17.37, holding size caps at the state minimums — 850 sq ft for studio/1-bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedroom units — with 4-ft side/rear setbacks, a general one-story limit for detached units, and zone-based lot-coverage caps. The city offers free permit-ready pre-approved ADU plans and a dedicated step-by-step guide site (uplandadu.org) with a cost calculator. Note the unusual annual rent-reporting requirement for permitted ADUs, and a pending Bonus ADU Program (Zoning Code Amendment 25-0007, heard June 17, 2026) that would allow an extra deed-restricted affordable ADU on lots over 15,000 sq ft.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2]
Yes — Upland allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,000 sq ft under current California and Upland zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | Any lot in a residential or mixed-use zone (building-permit-only path); lots zoned for single-family or multifamily residential use (ADU-permit path); JADUs on single-family lots only |
| Max Size (Detached) | 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 |
| Max Size (Attached) | 850/1,000 sq ft by bedroom count, further limited to 50% of the existing primary dwelling's floor area (never below 800 sq ft) |
| Max Size (JADU) | 500 sq ft within the single-family dwelling or attached garage |
| Max Height | 16 ft detached (18 ft within 1/2 mile of major transit or on multistory multifamily lots, +2 ft to match primary roof pitch, max 20 ft); attached up to 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower, max 2 stories; detached ADUs limited to one story |
| Max Units | Single-family: 1 ADU + 1 JADU per state framework; multifamily: interior conversions plus detached units per Gov. Code 66323 — confirm allowed combinations with Planning, (909) 931-4130 |
Setback Requirements [1][2]
Upland requires a rear setback of about 4 ft for a detached ADU, and one off-street parking space is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 4 ft minimum; none for same-location/same-dimension rebuilds |
| Side Setback | 4 ft minimum; 15 ft on the street side of corner lots |
| Front Setback | 25 ft minimum front-yard setback (waived if it would preclude an 800 sq ft ADU) |
| Parking Required | 1 space per ADU (tandem/setback areas OK; unenclosed spaces 9x19 ft); waived within 1/2 mile of transit, historic districts, conversions, permit-parking streets, car-share within a block, or when filed with a new dwelling; no replacement parking for demolished garages |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required for ADUs permitted on or after Jan 1, 2020; required for JADUs (deed-restricted) |
| Min Lot Size | No minimum lot size, but lot-coverage caps apply by zone (35% in RS-15/RS-20 up to 50% in RS-4) |
Permit Process & Fees [3][4]
An ADU permit in Upland typically costs Building permit and plan-check fees via the Development Services Department — confirm amounts with Building & Safety, (909) 931-4110 and takes 60 days from complete application (SB 543 deemed-approval applies from 2026), through a ministerial, by-right review.
| Approval Process | Ministerial approval — building permit only for state-exempt units (conversions, one 800 sq ft detached), ADU permit for larger units; deed restriction recorded before certificate of occupancy; annual rent reporting to the city required after permit issuance |
| Review Timeline | 60 days from complete application (SB 543 deemed-approval applies from 2026) |
| Permit Fees | Building permit and plan-check fees via the Development Services Department — confirm amounts with Building & Safety, (909) 931-4110 |
| Impact Fees | Waived under 750 sq ft; proportional to primary-dwelling floor area at 750 sq ft and above; water/sewer connection and capacity charges apply to new-construction ADUs (conversions exempt unless built with a new home) |
| Plan Check | Reviewed by Planning (zoning) and Building & Safety (CBC/CRC); design standards require matching materials/roof slope, 12-inch eave overhangs, privacy screening, down-lighting, and drought-tolerant landscaping; roof decks prohibited |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes — free, permit-ready pre-approved ADU plans for Upland residents; third-party architects may also submit Pre-Approved ADU Templates; site plan still required |
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Construction Costs [5][6]
Building an ADU in Upland typically costs $160,000-$300,000 ($200-$350 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $70,000-$150,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $160,000-$300,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $200-$350 |
| Garage Conversion | $70,000-$150,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $80,000-$180,000 |
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 [7][8]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Upland rents for around $2,400-$2,600/mo, an estimated 7-10% annual return (gross rental yield estimate).
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,950-$2,150/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $2,400-$2,600/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | No — ADUs and JADUs may not be rented for terms under 30 days regardless of when they were built; the city separately regulates short-term rentals via administrative use permit (Ch. 17.23.1) |
| Est. Annual ROI | 7-10% annual return (gross rental yield estimate) |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Ordinance 1993 (April 14, 2025) comprehensively updated Chapter 17.37; HCD issued an ADU ordinance findings letter July 8, 2025
- Urgency Ordinance 2007 (Jan 12, 2026) and Ordinance 2009 (Mar 9, 2026) amended Title 17 Part 4 special land use regulations — verify current ADU effects with Planning
- Bonus ADU Program (Zoning Code Amendment 25-0007) heard June 17, 2026: would allow an additional deed-restricted affordable ADU on residential lots larger than 15,000 sq ft
- City launched free permit-ready pre-approved ADU plans and the uplandadu.org step-by-step guide with cost calculator
Tips for Building an ADU in Upland
- Start at uplandadu.org — the city's official guide walks through concept, costs, permitting, construction, and renting, and includes a cost calculator
- Use the city's free permit-ready plans to skip most design costs; you only need a site-specific plot plan
- Keep the ADU under 750 sq ft to avoid impact fees entirely — at 750+ they scale with your home's floor area
- Plan for the annual rent report: Upland requires owners to report actual ADU rent each year within 90 days of January 1
- If your lot exceeds 15,000 sq ft, watch the Bonus ADU Program — it could allow a second deed-restricted affordable ADU
- Detached ADUs are one-story only in Upland — if you need two stories, attach the ADU to the main house (up to 25 ft)
ADU Builders in Upland
Looking for an ADU builder in Upland? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Upland homeowners with experienced local ADU contractors who provide free, no-obligation quotes. Getting at least three bids typically saves 20-40% on the same scope.
Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Upland Municipal Code Chapter 17.37 — Accessory Dwelling Units (eCode360, through Ord. 1993) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Accessory Dwelling Units — City of Upland Planning Division city_website — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Pre-approved ADU Plans — City of Upland Building & Safety city_website — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Notice of Public Hearing — Zoning Code Amendment No. 25-0007 (Bonus ADU Program), City of Upland city_website — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Upland ADU Guide (city-sponsored, includes cost calculator) city_website — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Inland Empire ADU — Your Friendly Guide — GatherADU news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Apartment List Rent Report — Upland, CA (June 2026) news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Average Rent in Upland, CA: 2026 Rent Prices — RentCafe news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
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