ADU rules in Sunol, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Sunol is an unincorporated CDP in Alameda County governed by Alameda County Code Title 17 (Zoning), specifically the new Chapter 17.55 (Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance) adopted by Ordinance O-2024-XX in 2024. The County allows one ADU plus one JADU on single-family lots in all residential zones with no minimum lot size, consistent with California Government Code §65852.2.
Alameda County Ordinance O-2024-XX amended Title 17 (sections 17.04.010, 17.06.030, 17.30.110, 17.52.780, 17.54.225, and 17.60.100) and added Chapter 17.55 to implement state ADU law in the unincorporated areas, including Sunol. ADUs are allowed in all residential zoning districts (including the Rural Residential, R-S, and Agricultural districts that cover most of Sunol) with no minimum lot size. Detached ADUs are limited to 1,200 sq ft and 16 feet in height (18 feet within a half-mile of a major transit stop). Attached ADUs are limited to 50% of the primary dwelling, up to 1,200 sq ft. JADUs are capped at 500 sq ft within the walls of the primary single-family dwelling. Side and rear setbacks for new construction are 4 feet; existing setbacks are preserved for conversions. The County removed Site Development Review requirements for ADUs unless a safety concern is present under state law. Most Sunol parcels are on septic and well systems, so Alameda County Environmental Health review is also required.
Unpermitted ADUs in unincorporated Sunol are violations of Alameda County Code Title 17 enforced by the Alameda County Community Development Agency and Code Enforcement, with stop-work orders, daily-accruing fines, and required after-the-fact permits or removal. Septic-system installations without Environmental Health approval are separately citable.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle adu rules.
See how Sunol's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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