Chico, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Chico, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Detached ADU setback
- 4 ft side/rear
- Max ADU size
- 1,200 sq ft
- Approval path
- Zoning clearance or building permit
- Minimum rental term
- 30 consecutive days
Summary
Chico lets ADU applicants get a zoning clearance or apply directly for a building permit, with a 4-foot side/rear setback for new detached units and a 1,200-sq-ft cap.
Applicants for accessory dwelling units may seek zoning clearance for a site plan depicting a proposed ADU or may directly apply for building permits and compliance with these standards shall be assessed in conjunction with building permit review. ... Detached, new-construction ADUs shall provide a minimum side and rear yard setback of 4 feet. ... ADUs or JADUs may be rented for the purpose of overnight lodging for terms of thirty or more consecutive days but shall not be rented or subleased for shorter terms.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code § 19.76.130 lays out the City's ADU process: applicants can seek a zoning clearance for a site plan or apply directly for a building permit, with compliance reviewed alongside that permit, no discretionary hearing required. New detached and attached ADUs need a minimum 4-foot side and rear setback (converted ADUs need none), and size is capped at up to 1,200 square feet depending on type. ADUs and JADUs can only be rented for 30-day-or-longer terms. Because state ADU law (Gov. Code §§ 66310-66342) overrides conflicting local limits, any Chico standard tighter than state law does not control.
Violations & Fines
Renting an ADU or JADU for stays under 30 consecutive days violates § 19.76.130; building without the required zoning clearance or permit is enforced as a building code violation with a stop-work order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU without a use-permit hearing in Chico?
Can I rent my Chico ADU short-term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
How Chico compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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