Camarillo issues Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permits ministerially under CMC Chapter 19.56, which implements California Government Code Β§65852.2. ADUs are allowed in any residential zone where a single-family or multi-family dwelling is permitted. Standard 60-day review timeline applies once the application is complete; no public hearing is required.
CMC Chapter 19.56 establishes Camarillo's local ADU and Junior ADU (JADU) framework consistent with state law. Applications are reviewed ministerially by the Department of Community Development (805-388-5360) β no Planning Commission hearing, no CEQA review for individual ADUs (state-law exemption), and no discretionary design review. Per Gov. Code Β§65852.2(a)(3) and CMC 19.56, the City must approve or deny within 60 days of receiving a complete application or the permit is deemed approved. ADUs require building plans showing compliance with the California Building Code, California Residential Code, and CMC 19.56 development standards (4-foot side/rear setbacks, 16-foot height for detached, 18-foot near transit). Permitted by-right are: one detached ADU up to 1,200 sq ft, one attached ADU (up to 50% of primary dwelling size or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less), one conversion ADU within existing space, and one JADU up to 500 sq ft. The state-law guarantee of an 800 sq ft / 16 ft / 4-foot setback ADU applies regardless of underlying zoning standards. Plans are submitted through Camarillo Building & Safety; standard plan-check turnaround for ADUs is targeted to fit within the 60-day statutory window.
Building an ADU without a permit is a violation of CMC Title 16 (Building Code) and CMC Title 19 (Zoning), enforceable via stop-work order, mandatory after-the-fact permitting at investigation rates, and administrative citations. Unpermitted ADUs cannot legally be rented and must be disclosed at the point of sale under California Civil Code Β§1102.
Camarillo, CA
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