Redwood City, CA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Redwood City, CA, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Added setback for conversion
- None required
- Statewide Exemption path
- Building permit only, no discretionary review
- Expansion allowance
- Up to 150 sq ft for entrance
- Ministerial review deadline
- 60 days
- Fire-safety setback
- Still required
Summary
Redwood City lets homeowners convert an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit with no added setback, and under the Statewide Exemption path, no discretionary review: only a building permit is required, and the converted space can expand by up to 150 square feet for a proper entrance.
A.Single-Family Conversion. One (1) accessory dwelling unit and one (1) junior accessory dwelling unit per lot shall be permitted within an existing or proposed single-family dwelling if the accessory dwelling unit is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure and has exterior access separate from the primary dwelling and sufficient side and rear setbacks for fire safety. An accessory dwelling unit proposed under this Section may include an expansion of no more than one hundred fifty (150) square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing accessory structure to accommodate ingress and egress. (See also § 37.3(C)(1)(b): "a legal accessory building (including a detached garage) may be converted into an accessory dwelling unit provided the side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire safety.")
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Two linked provisions govern garage conversions. 4, the Statewide Exemption Accessory Dwelling Units section, which requires "only a building permit" rather than a discretionary Use or Architectural Permit. 6(B) must be completed within 60 days of a complete application.
Violations & Fines
Converting a garage without the required building permit, or exceeding the 150-square-foot expansion allowance for entrance access, is a Zoning Ordinance violation the City enforces under Article 50 as a public nuisance and infraction, punishable by fines up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a repeat within a year, and up to $500 after that, each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my garage into an ADU in Redwood City?
Does a garage conversion need a discretionary permit?
Can I expand the garage while converting it?
How long does the City take to review a garage conversion permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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Garage Conversions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle garage conversions.