Fresno, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Fresno, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Units allowed (single-unit lot)
- Up to 2 ADUs + 1 JADU
- Max ADU size
- 50% of home or 1,400 sq ft, greater
- Max height
- Underlying district or 30 ft
- Parking required
- None
- Process
- Ministerial per Gov. Code § 66310 et seq.
Summary
Fresno processes Accessory Dwelling Units ministerially under FMC § 15-2754, allowing up to two ADUs plus one JADU on a single-unit lot. ADUs can reach 50% of the primary home's floor area or 1,400 square feet, stand up to 30 feet tall, and need no additional off-street parking.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow for the ministerial development of Second Dwelling Units in a manner that is consistent with the requirements identified in Government Code Section 66310 et seq. ... 4. Maximum Size. a. ADUs. Not to exceed 50 percent of the average floor area of the primary unit(s) or 1,400 square feet, whichever is greater. ... 5. Maximum Height. Per the underlying district or 30 feet, whichever is greater. ... E. Parking. No parking is required.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
, and Section 15-2754(B)(1) makes clear state law prevails over any conflicting local provision. ADUs and JADUs are permitted in any zone allowing single-unit or multi-unit residential, mixed-use development, or wherever a qualifying dwelling exists or is proposed; JADUs are limited to single-unit districts. On number, single-unit lots may add up to two ADUs and one JADU, while multi-unit lots may add up to eight detached ADUs (not exceeding the number of existing units) plus conversions of up to 25 percent of existing units or one ADU, whichever is greater.
Size is capped at 50 percent of the average floor area of the primary unit(s) or 1,400 square feet, whichever is greater, with an added allowance for conversions to accommodate ingress and egress; JADUs cap at 500 square feet. Maximum height follows the underlying district or 30 feet, whichever is greater, and ADUs may be multi-story. Setbacks default to four feet at the rear and side (or less if the base district requires less), drop to zero along an alley (two feet if the ADU's main entrance faces the alley), and the front setback may not preclude an 800-square-foot ADU.
No off-street parking is required for any Second Dwelling Unit under Section 15-2754(E). Neither lot coverage nor density calculations count Second Dwelling Units against the underlying zoning.
Violations & Fines
Building an ADU or JADU that exceeds the section's size, height, setback, or unit-count limits, or that skips the ministerial permit process required by Section 15-2754, is a zoning violation the Development and Resource Management Department can enforce by withholding occupancy clearance or requiring the structure be modified to comply before it may be used or rented.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ADUs can I build on my Fresno lot?
Do I need extra parking spaces for an ADU in Fresno?
How big can my Fresno ADU be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno
How Fresno compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fresno County handle adu rules.