Imperial County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies when
- ADU + JADU on same lot
- Requirement
- Owner occupies JADU or house
- Standalone ADU
- No county rental restriction
- Authority
- Gov. Code § 65852.22(a)(2)
Summary
Imperial County only imposes an ADU owner-occupancy requirement when a lot has both an ADU and a junior ADU, mirroring state JADU law.
Should a property have both an ADU and JADU, JADU law requires owner occupancy of either the newly created JADU or the single-family residence. Under this specific circumstance, a lot with an ADU would be subject to owner-occupancy requirements. (Gov. Code, § 65852.22, subd. (a)(2).)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Imperial County Code doesn't restrict renting a standalone accessory dwelling unit, but if a parcel carries both an ADU and a junior accessory dwelling unit, the code requires owner occupancy of either the JADU or the single-family residence, per Government Code Section 65852.22. That owner-occupancy affidavit applies only to the combined ADU-plus-JADU scenario: a single ADU on its own carries no county-imposed owner-occupancy or minimum-rental-term rule.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain owner occupancy where both an ADU and JADU exist can result in permit noncompliance findings and enforcement action by the planning department under the county's general enforcement procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my ADU in Imperial County?
What triggers the owner-occupancy rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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