Novato, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

Subsection U of § 19.34.030 draws a single line at 750 square feet of floor area. Accessory dwelling units that are less than 750 square feet are not subject to paying development impact fees. A unit of 750 square feet or larger shall pay development impact fees charged proportionally in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit, so the measuring stick is the size of the main house, not a flat per-unit rate. The section prints no dollar figure, no fee schedule and no formula beyond that proportion.

The 750 square foot line sits below each size ceiling the same section prints for new construction. An attached or detached unit is capped at 50 percent of the living area of the primary dwelling up to 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom unit or 1,000 square feet for a unit of two or more bedrooms, and the statewide default unit and the limited standards detached unit are capped at 800 square feet. Conversions inside existing walls carry no floor area limit under subsection N.2.b, so a large converted structure is measured against the 750 square foot line like any other unit. Junior accessory dwelling units are limited to 500 square feet under § 19.34.031.L.1, and § 19.34.031 contains no development impact fee subsection of its own.

A Senate Bill 9 dwelling unit is treated differently. Under § 19.34.029.R it is subject to the development impact fees applicable to single-family residential development as defined by Novato City Council resolution. ADU applicants file a building permit application, and under subsection R of § 19.34.030 the submittal requirements are those the Community Development Department sets for a building permit.