Kings County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Kings County, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Max ADU floor area
- 1,200 sq ft
- Max JADU floor area
- 500 sq ft
- ADU/JADU setbacks
- 4 ft rear and side
- Max structure height
- 30 ft (50 ft with CUP)
- Off-street parking
- 1 additional space required
Summary
Kings County requires seven Building Official findings before issuing an ADU or JADU permit in the RR, R-1, or RM districts, covering unit type, floor area, quantity, setbacks, parking, and utility connections.
When an application is
submitted for an "accessory dwelling unit" or a "junior accessory dwelling unit" in the RR, R-1, or the RM zoning districts the following findings shall be made by the Building Official before issuing a building permit:
A. That the parcel or lot already contains or proposes a Single-family residence or multi-family residence.
B. That an accessory dwelling unit is either a site built structure, a manufactured home as defined by Section 18007 Health and Safety Code, or an efficiency unit as defined by Section 17958.1 Health and Safety Code.
C. That the accessory dwelling unit meets all of the following standards:
1. Floor Area: An attached or detached accessory dwelling unit permitted by this section shall not exceed 1,200 square feet of floor area. In the case of a conversion accessory dwelling unit, the floor area of the converted accessory dwelling unit shall be limited to the size of the existing structure being converted with the addition of 150 square feet to accommodate ingress and egress.
2. A manufactured home shall not be less than eight ft. wide by forty 40 ft. long and 320 sq. ft. in floor area.
3. An efficiency unit shall not be less than 150 sq. ft. in floor area and meet all space and occupancy standards of
Full Breakdown
Before issuing an ADU or JADU building permit in the RR, R-1, or RM districts, Kings County's Building Official must confirm the lot already has (or proposes) a single-family or multi-family residence, and that the new unit is a site-built structure, manufactured home, or efficiency unit meeting state size standards. A standalone ADU is capped at 1,200 sq ft (conversions get the existing footprint plus 150 sq ft for entry), while a JADU tops out at 500 sq ft built inside an existing home. Both carry a 30-foot height limit, 4-foot rear/side setbacks, and generally need one extra parking space, plus proof utilities can serve the unit.
Violations & Fines
Skip the Sec. 507 findings and the ADU is an unpermitted structure: the Zoning Administrator can issue a stop-work order, and Sec. 2403 makes a first violation an infraction, a repeat within 12 months a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build more than one ADU on my Kings County lot?
Does a Kings County ADU need extra parking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
How Kings County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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