Upland, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Upland, CA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Detached ADU height
- 16 ft (up to 20 ft near transit)
- Attached ADU height
- 25 ft or zone limit, whichever lower
- Minimum rental term
- 30 days, no short-term rentals
- Max size
- 850-1,000 sq ft depending on bedrooms
- Review process
- Ministerial, decided within 60 days
- State law basis
- Gov. Code Title 7, Div. 1, Ch. 13
Summary
Upland allows ADUs and JADUs by right under Municipal Code Chapter 17.37, which implements California's state ADU law (Gov. Code Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13). A detached ADU tops out at 16 feet (up to 20 feet near major transit), an attached ADU can't exceed 25 feet or the primary zone's height limit, and no ADU or JADU may be rented for less than 30 days.
B. Height. 1. Except as otherwise provided by subsections B.2 and B.3 below, a detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling unit may not exceed 16 feet in height... 4. An ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may not exceed 25 feet in height or the height limitation imposed by the underlying zone that applies to the primary dwelling, whichever is lower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ADUs subject to this subsection B.4 may not exceed two stories... D. Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter than 30 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
010 states the chapter exists to allow and regulate ADUs and JADUs in compliance with Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code. 040 lays out three approval tracks: a building-permit-only path for a converted or limited new ADU/JADU on a single-family lot, a building-permit-only path for converting existing non-livable multifamily space (storage rooms, basements, or garages) into up to 25% of the units on a multifamily lot, and a full ADU Permit path for everything else, reviewed ministerially within 60 days with no hearing.
050 sets the general standards: a detached ADU may not exceed 16 feet (18 feet near a major transit stop, or 20 feet to match the primary roof pitch), an attached ADU tops out at 25 feet or the underlying zone's height limit, whichever is lower, and it can't exceed two stories. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term shorter than 30 days, none built after January 1, 2020 carries an owner-occupancy requirement (JADUs still do under state law), and the owner must record a deed restriction before occupancy that runs with the land and bars separate sale of the unit.
060 adds size caps of 850 square feet for a studio/one-bedroom and 1,000 square feet for two-plus bedrooms, four-foot side and rear setbacks, and just one required parking space, waived entirely if the lot is within a half-mile of transit.
Violations & Fines
An ADU built or rented out of compliance risks losing its deed-restricted status, and the city can pursue an injunction or abatement of the illegal unit under Section 17.37.050(H)(5); renting an ADU short-term (under 30 days) violates Section 17.37.050(D) and unpermitted work is enforceable as a general misdemeanor under Section 1.16.010, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my detached ADU be in Upland?
Can I rent my Upland ADU out on Airbnb?
Do I need a public hearing to build an ADU in Upland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
How Upland compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle adu rules.