ADU rules in Davis, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Davis regulates accessory dwelling units under Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.450, implementing California state ADU law (Government Code Sections 66310 through 66342). A detached ADU of 800 square feet or less, no more than 16 feet tall, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks is deemed consistent with all city standards.
Under DMC 40.26.450, applications to build one ADU (and one JADU) per residential lot are reviewed ministerially — approved administratively on objective standards without a public hearing, as required by Gov. Code Section 66317. A junior ADU must be created within the walls of the existing or proposed single-family dwelling. State law now bars Davis from requiring owner-occupancy for new ADUs (Section 66315) and from requiring replacement off-street parking when a garage or carport is converted to or demolished for an ADU. In October 2025 the state Department of Housing and Community Development notified Davis that its 2019 on-file ordinance predates recent amendments; where a local ordinance conflicts with state ADU law, the state standards control (Section 66316).
Building an ADU without required permits is a code violation enforced by Davis Community Development, with stop-work orders and required correction. State law limits denial of pre-2020 unpermitted ADUs and provides a five-year enforcement delay to cure non-health-and-safety violations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Yolo County.
See how Davis's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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