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

Under SCMC 24.16.120, ADUs are permitted on lots of any size in conjunction with a proposed or existing residential use in any zone that allows residential uses. Per SCMC 24.16.130, the city issues a ministerial building permit without discretionary review or hearing within 60 days of a complete application. A 'statewide exemption' detached new-construction ADU (SCMC 24.16.125(10)(b)) is capped at 800 square feet of livable space with interior side and rear setbacks of at least 4 feet and a height of 16 feet (or 18-20 feet near a major transit stop). Nonexempt ADUs (SCMC 24.16.141) may reach 850 sq ft for a studio/one-bedroom, 1,000 sq ft for two-or-more bedrooms, or up to 1,200 sq ft (detached) capped at 10 percent of net lot area. No off-street parking is required for any ADU outside the Coastal Zone (SCMC 24.16.141(2)). These local rules implement California's statewide ADU law (Cal. Gov. Code 66314 et seq.), which preempts conflicting local standards; SCMC 24.16.100 states that if changes to state law conflict with the local regulations, state law supersedes.