Zoning & Size Limits
| Requirement | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|
| Allowed Zones | RH-1, RH-2, RH-3, RM, RTO zones and most residential distric | Any lot zoned to allow residential use with an existing or p |
| Max Size (Detached) | 1,200 sq ft (state minimum; local program caps at 850-1,000 sq ft) | 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 |
| Max Size (Attached) | 1,000 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling | Same limits as detached (1,200 sq ft outside Hillside Overlay); conversions of existing space have no size cap |
| Max Height | 25 ft for detached ADUs | Detached new construction: 25 ft (20 ft within Hil |
| Parking Required | No parking required | None required for ADUs or JADUs; displaced garage parking do |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required | Not required for ADUs. JADUs with separate sanitation facili |
Setback Requirements
| Setback | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|
| Rear Setback | 4 ft minimum | 4 ft minimum |
| Side Setback | 4 ft minimum | 4 ft minimum (interior or street side); architectural features may project 2 ft if 2 ft remains to the property line |
| Front Setback | Must meet zone's front setback requirement | ADUs may be placed within the front setback |
Permits & Timeline
| Detail | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|
| Permit Timeline | 60-day review period (state-mandated) | 60-day ministerial review; deemed approved if the city fails to act within 60 days (SB 543, eff. Jan 1, 2026) |
| Permit Fees | $5,000-$20,000 depending on scope | $250 zoning plan check + $500 neighbor noticing fee at submittal + $250 address assignment; building permit fees based on project valuation (city fee estimator tool available) |
| Impact Fees | Waived for units under 750 sq ft | Land Use Planning assesses no impact fees. Berkeley Unified |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes — SF has pre-approved ADU plan sets | Yes — the city points applicants to pre-approved A |
Construction Costs
| Cost | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|
| Avg Build Cost | $200,000-$450,000 | $250,000-$500,000 |
| Cost Per Sq Ft | $300-$500 | $400-$700 |
| Garage Conversion | $120,000-$250,000 | $120,000-$250,000 |
| Prefab ADU | $150,000-$350,000 | $250,000-$320,000 |
Rental Income Potential
| Rental | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|
| 1BR Avg Rent | $2,200-$3,200/mo | $2,300-$2,900/mo |
| 2BR Avg Rent | $2,800-$4,000/mo | $3,000-$3,900/mo |
| Short-Term Rentals | Heavily regulated; 90-day annual cap for unhosted | No — recorded deed restriction prohibits short-term rental o |
| Est. ROI | 5-8% annual return | 4-7% annual return |
Which City Is Better for ADUs?
San Francisco scores 9/10 while Berkeley scores 9/10 on our ADU-friendliness index.
Both cities offer viable ADU development opportunities — the best choice depends on your specific property, budget, and goals.
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