ADU rules in Upland, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
The City of Upland regulates ADUs and JADUs under Municipal Code Chapter 17.37, adopted as Ordinance No. 1993 on April 14, 2025, implementing California ADU law (Gov. Code 66310-66342). JADUs are capped at 500 square feet. In July 2025 HCD found several Upland provisions non-compliant with state law, so where the city ordinance conflicts, state standards control.
Upland adopted its current ADU ordinance, Chapter 17.37 of the Upland Municipal Code, as Ordinance No. 1993 on April 14, 2025, to implement California ADU law (Government Code sections 66310-66342). The City's Development Services / Planning Division (909-931-4130) determines whether a property allows a JADU, an attached ADU, and/or a detached ADU, and reviews size, setback, parking, and height standards. The City's ADU page states a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) is capped at 500 square feet and must be contained entirely within a proposed or existing single-family dwelling or attached garage. Upland also offers free, permit-ready pre-approved ADU plans (per AB 1332). Importantly, in a July 8, 2025 review letter, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) found that several Upland provisions fail to comply with state ADU law: HCD directed the City to remove the ordinance's severability clause (Section 8), to fix the attached/detached definitions in 17.37.030 (attachment can occur via a shared floor or ceiling), to expand the 'primary dwelling' definition to include multifamily dwellings, and to delete the deed-restriction requirement in 17.37.030(H) because Gov. Code 66315 bars added standards including owner-occupancy. Where Upland's ordinance conflicts with state law, the state standards under Gov. Code 66310-66342 apply. This is the incorporated City of Upland's ordinance, separate from unincorporated San Bernardino County's ADU rules.
Building an ADU or JADU without the required City permits, or exceeding the JADU 500-square-foot cap, violates Chapter 17.37. Where Upland's standards (e.g., the deed restriction or attached/detached definitions) conflict with Gov. Code 66310-66342, HCD has found the city provisions unenforceable and state law governs. Contact the Planning Division at (909) 931-4130.
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