ADU rules in Stanislaus County, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Unincorporated Stanislaus County permits ADUs and JADUs ministerially in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-A, A-2 and residential P-D zones under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21.74. A detached/attached ADU may be up to 1,200 sq ft; a junior ADU up to 500 sq ft. State law (Gov. Code 66310+) sets the floor.
Chapter 21.74 of the Stanislaus County Zoning Ordinance (Title 21, Ord. CS 1290, adopted 02/26/2021) governs accessory dwellings in unincorporated areas. Section 21.74.020 applies the rules in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-A (Rural Residential) and A-2 (General Agriculture) districts plus Planned Development districts permitting residential uses. Section 21.74.030(B)(1) caps a new ADU at 1,200 square feet of living space and a junior ADU at 500 square feet. A single-family parcel may have one JADU within the existing dwelling plus one detached or attached ADU. In the A-2 agricultural zone, Section 21.74.030(C)(1) requires the ADU to sit within 150 feet of the main dwelling and not displace crop-production area, though staff may approve other locations that stay accessory and protect ag use; ADUs are allowed on Williamson Act lands if they do not interfere with farming (21.74.030(H)). Development standards (21.74.040) require a four-foot minimum side and rear setback for new construction, height matching the zone's dwelling limit, and one off-street parking space (waived for conversions, JADUs, or units near transit). Owners must record a restrictive covenant (21.74.050) barring separate sale and prohibiting rentals of 30 days or less. California ADU law (Gov. Code 66310-66342) requires ministerial approval, so these conforming units are not subject to discretionary review.
Building an ADU without permits, exceeding the 1,200 sq ft (or 500 sq ft JADU) limit, placing an A-2 unit more than 150 feet from the main dwelling without staff approval, or renting for 30 days or less violates Chapter 21.74 and can trigger zoning code enforcement, stop-work orders, and required correction or removal.
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