Garage conversion rules in Lodi, CA — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Lodi allows conversion of an existing garage to an ADU or JADU under LMC §17.36.130 and California Government Code §65852.2. Replacement parking is not required for an ADU created by converting an existing garage, and existing setbacks are preserved for the conversion footprint.
Under LMC §17.36.130 and state ADU law, Lodi may not require replacement parking when an existing garage is converted to an ADU. The existing garage's footprint and setbacks are preserved for the conversion, so a garage built closer than 4 feet to a property line can still be converted without coming into compliance with today's setbacks. A JADU created within an attached garage of the single-family dwelling is capped at 500 sq ft, must be within the walls of the primary home, and triggers an owner-occupancy deed restriction. Conversions require a building permit from Lodi Community Development and must meet California Residential Code requirements — egress, ceiling height, light and ventilation, smoke and CO alarms, fire separation. ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from city impact fees. ADU rentals must be for 30 days or longer.
Converting a garage to habitable space without a building permit is a code violation under Lodi Building Code and LMC §17.36.130, subject to stop-work orders and enforcement by Code Enforcement. Renting the converted ADU for stays shorter than 30 days violates state law and Lodi's JADU deed restriction.
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