Kings County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Accessory dwelling units in the unincorporated areas of Kings County are governed by the county Development Code (Article 11, Standards for Specific Land Uses and Activities, and the residential and agricultural zoning articles) operating within the framework of California's statewide ADU law, Government Code Sections 66310-66342. Because that state law preempts conflicting local rules and applies to counties for their unincorporated territory, Kings County must allow at least one ADU on any lot that has a proposed or existing single-family or multifamily residence, including many of the county's ag-residential parcels. Under Gov. Code 66314, a setback of no more than four feet is required from the side and rear lot lines for a new detached ADU, and no setback is required where an existing structure is converted or rebuilt to the same dimensions. Gov. Code 66321 caps height standards a county may impose at 16 feet for a detached ADU (18 feet near major transit or on a multistory multifamily lot, 25 feet for an attached ADU). Applications are processed ministerially, without a public hearing, when the proposal meets objective standards. For parcel-specific setback, height, and size details, applicants should confirm with the Kings County Community Development Agency, which administers the Development Code.