Garage conversion rules in Chico, CA — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Chico Municipal Code §19.76.130 permits conversion of an existing attached or detached garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in R1 and R2 zones. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted as part of ADU creation, the city cannot require replacement off-street parking. This aligns with California Government Code §66323. Conversions still require a building permit and must comply with CALGreen, Title 24 energy, and fire-rated wall standards. Owner-occupancy is not required for ADUs (eliminated post–Camp Fire to encourage housing).
Per CMC §19.76.130, ADU permits are ministerial and processed within 60 days of a complete application, consistent with Cal. Gov. Code §66317. Converting a garage to a JADU (junior ADU, ≤500 sq ft, attached to the main dwelling) requires a separate entrance and an efficiency kitchen; JADUs require owner-occupancy per state law. For full-ADU garage conversions, no replacement parking is required, but conversions of non-living space must meet R-3 occupancy standards in the California Residential Code. Chico reduced ADU impact fees and eliminated sidewalk improvement requirements as part of its 2022 Housing Element to spur ADU production after the 2018 Camp Fire displaced thousands of Butte County residents.
Unpermitted garage-to-living-space conversions cited under CMC §19.76.130 and California Building Code §R110. Code enforcement may require the unit to be brought up to current code (insulation, egress windows, smoke/CO detectors, separate electrical) or restored to garage use. Civil penalties under CMC §1.16 apply for continued occupancy of unpermitted units.
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