ADU rules in Herald, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Herald is an unincorporated CDP in Sacramento County governed by Sacramento County Zoning Code §5.4.5 (Accessory Dwelling Units), not a city ordinance. The County allows one ADU plus one JADU on single-family lots. Most Herald parcels are in agricultural-residential (AR) zones where ADUs are permitted ministerially.
Sacramento County Zoning Code §5.4.5 implements California Government Code §65852.2 with ministerial review without a public hearing. Detached ADUs on single-family lots may be up to 1,200 sq ft. New construction requires a 4-foot rear and interior side setback; conversions preserve existing setbacks. Detached ADUs are limited to 16 feet in height (18 feet within a half-mile of a public-transit station — limited transit applies to most of Herald). On rural and agricultural parcels typical of Herald, larger lot coverage and well/septic system requirements through Sacramento County Environmental Management apply, but the basic ADU size and setback standards still control. Required parking may not exceed one space per bedroom and is exempt within a half-mile of transit. ADUs built after January 1, 2020 may not be used as short-term rentals under state law and a recorded deed restriction. Sacramento County issues building permits through its Building Permits and Inspection Division on a 60-day ministerial timeline.
Unpermitted ADUs in unincorporated Herald are violations of the Sacramento County Zoning Code and Building Code, enforced by Sacramento County Code Enforcement with stop-work orders, daily-accruing fines, and required after-the-fact permitting or removal. Septic-system installations without a permit also violate Environmental Management Department rules.
Sacramento County, CA
Unincorporated Sacramento County Zoning Code restricts RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential zones. Generally allowed in side or rear yards with scree...
Sacramento County, CA
Unincorporated Sacramento County does not generally prohibit overnight street parking in residential areas. The CVC 22651(k) 72-hour rule applies. Some comme...
Sacramento County, CA
California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes equal cost-sharing for boundary fences. 30-day written notice is required before building or rep...
Sacramento County, CA
Fences 7 feet and under in unincorporated Sacramento County do not require a building permit, but a zoning clearance is required for front-yard fences over 3...
Sacramento County, CA
Sacramento County allows backyard chickens in most residential zones: up to 6 hens on lots under 10,000 sq ft, no roosters in RD zones. Coops must be set bac...
Sacramento County, CA
Sacramento County Code 9.60 prohibits feeding wild mammals including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and wild turkeys. Bird feeders are allowed if they do not attra...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sacramento County.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle adu rules.
See how Herald's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.