Santa Clarita, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

22 as a ministerial process to verify the proposed unit is allowed in the zone and meets code standards, meaning staff cannot deny a compliant application or subject it to discretionary hearings. and Section 66323, and states that where City provisions conflict with state law, state law controls. The Building Official will not issue a final certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU until the primary dwelling itself has received its own final certificate of occupancy. ADUs may not be rented for terms shorter than 30 days, ruling out short-term rental use of a Santa Clarita ADU.

A JADU cannot be sold separately from the primary residence, carries size and attribute limits set elsewhere in the code, and requires the property owner to occupy either the main house or the new JADU unless an exemption applies under Government Code Section 66333(b); a JADU also cannot be rented for under 30 days. ADUs and JADUs without an internal connection to the primary home must apply for a separate address number, to be posted over the unit's entrance or in another street-visible spot, with the Fire Chief able to require additional address markers for emergency response.

ADUs and JADUs are subject to development impact fees prorated to the primary dwelling's square footage, and each must install a separate utility connection with a connection fee proportionate to the unit's burden on water or sewer capacity, capped at the City's reasonable cost of service. The City may also charge reasonable inspection and construction permit fees, set by City Council resolution and billed to the property owner.