Sacramento County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- JADUs only, not ADUs
- Requirement
- owner occupies house or JADU
- Exemption
- govt agency, land trust, housing org
- Also required
- recorded deed restriction
Summary
Sacramento County requires the property owner to live in either the main house or the junior accessory dwelling unit, unless the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.
The property owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or JADU. Owner occupancy is not required if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
Recordation of Deed Restriction- JADU
A Deed Restriction shall be recorded that prohibits sale of the JADU separate from the sale of the single-family residence and restricts the size and attributes of the JADU to conformance with CA GOV §65852.22, as amended from time to time.
Dwelling Unit Separation Requirements
ADU - For purposes of any fire or life protection ordinance or regulation, an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be considered a separate or new dwelling unit. JADU - For purposes of any fire or life protection ordinance or regulation, a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be considered a separate or new dwelling unit.
Minimum Parking
Full Breakdown
Table 5.11's ADU/JADU development standards impose owner-occupancy only on Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, not standard ADUs: the property owner must occupy either the primary residence or the JADU itself. The requirement is waived when the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or qualified housing organization. A JADU also needs a recorded deed restriction barring its sale apart from the primary residence and limiting its size and features to match California Government Code § 65852.22. Standard ADUs carry no such occupancy mandate under this table.
Violations & Fines
Renting out both the primary dwelling and a JADU with no owner in residence violates the deed-restricted occupancy condition and can trigger code enforcement or jeopardize the JADU's legal status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sacramento County require owner-occupancy for accessory dwelling units?
Are there exceptions to the JADU owner-occupancy rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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