Manteca, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Manteca, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Side/rear setback
- 4 feet
- Height cap
- 16 feet, attached or detached
- Size cap
- 850 sq ft (1,000 with 2nd bedroom)
- Lot coverage
- ADU exempt; garage/porch count
Summary
Manteca ADUs get a 4-foot side/rear setback, a 16-foot height cap, and an 850-square-foot size ceiling (1,000 sq ft with a second bedroom) under Municipal Code § 17.82.030.
A four foot side and rear yard setback shall be required. ... Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit. Accessory dwelling units attached to an existing or proposed primary dwelling shall be subject to a maximum height of 16 feet. ... Standard Units. Accessory dwelling units shall not exceed 850 square feet, except as specified in subsections (C)(5)(b) and (c) below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4829770; v11 updated 2026-04-21).
Full Breakdown
Standard-lot ADUs need a 4-foot side and rear yard setback, and must meet the primary dwelling's front setback unless that would block a Statewide Exemption unit. Attached and detached ADUs are both capped at 16 feet in height, and detached units can put no more than 600 square feet above the first floor. Size is capped at 850 square feet for a standard unit, 1,000 square feet if it has more than one bedroom, and 1,200 square feet if it meets state accessible-design standards. ADUs are exempt from the underlying district's lot-coverage limit, though attached garages and covered porches still count.
Violations & Fines
Building beyond the height, setback, or size caps without City approval is a zoning violation enforceable like any other Title 17 breach: stop-work order, permit denial, or a required modification to conform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can an ADU be in Manteca?
How close to the property line can a Manteca ADU be built?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manteca
How Manteca compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Manteca to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle adu rules.