Accessory Structures in Camarillo, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Camarillo or are thinking about moving there, accessory structures are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Camarillo has 9 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of accessory structures, and some of them might surprise you.

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions in Camarillo are primarily governed by California's ADU laws (Government Code 65852.2), which allow converting existing garages to ADUs without requiring replacement parking. CMC Title 16 requires building permits for all conversions to ensure habitability standards are met.

Key details: ADU Conversion: Allowed without replacement parking. Building Permit: Required for all conversions. Ceiling Height: Minimum 7 feet. Egress Windows: Required for sleeping rooms. HOA Rights: Cannot block ADU conversions (CC 4751).

Converting a garage without permits violates CMC Title 16. Non-compliant conversions may fail inspection and require correction. Contact Community Development at (805) 388-5360 for permit applications and requirements.

Tiny Homes

Camarillo treats tiny homes on permanent foundations as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under CMC Chapter 19.30 and CA Gov Code 65852.2. Minimum 150 sq ft, 4-foot side/rear setbacks, 16-foot height limit for detached units, and 60-day permit review. Movable tiny houses on wheels are not separately authorized.

Key details: Classified As: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Code: CMC Chapter 19.30; CA Gov Code 65852.2. Min Size: 150 sq ft. Side/Rear Setback: 4 ft. Height (Detached): <=16 ft.

Building or occupying an unpermitted ADU/tiny home is a CMC Chapter 1.16 violation ($100-$750 per day) and can trigger a recorded notice of violation. CA AB 2533 (2024) opened a state amnesty path for certain pre-2020 unpermitted ADUs.

Carport Rules

Carports in Camarillo require a building permit from Community Development and must comply with Title 19 (Zoning) setback, height, and lot-coverage rules for the underlying residential zone. Detached carports are accessory structures and must match the architectural style of the primary dwelling.

Key details: Permit: Required - Community Development. Zoning Code: CMC Title 19. Single-Family Setbacks: Per RPD/R-1 zone schedule (CMC 19.14). Building Code: 2022 California Building Standards Code. Enclosure Limit: <=50% perimeter (else = garage).

Building without a permit is a CMC Chapter 1.16 violation, with administrative fines $100-$750 per day plus double-fee permit penalties. Setback encroachments can trigger removal orders.

ADU Permits

Camarillo issues Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permits ministerially under CMC Chapter 19.56, which implements California Government Code §65852.2. ADUs are allowed in any residential zone where a single-family or multi-family dwelling is permitted. Standard 60-day review timeline applies once the application is complete; no public hearing is required.

Key details: Code Section: CMC Ch. 19.56; Gov. Code 65852.2. Review Type: Ministerial (no hearing). Statutory Deadline: 60 days. Detached ADU Max: 1,200 sq ft. JADU Max: 500 sq ft.

Building an ADU without a permit is a violation of CMC Title 16 (Building Code) and CMC Title 19 (Zoning), enforceable via stop-work order, mandatory after-the-fact permitting at investigation rates, and administrative citations. Unpermitted ADUs cannot legally be rented and must be disclosed at the point of sale under California Civil Code §1102.

The rules around adu permits in Camarillo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Impact Fees

California Government Code §65852.2(f) prohibits Camarillo from charging any impact fees on ADUs smaller than 750 square feet. ADUs of 750 sq ft or larger may be charged impact fees proportional to the primary dwelling's size. Water and sewer connection fees are similarly limited by state law.

Key details: Under 750 sq ft: No impact fees allowed. 750+ sq ft: Proportional to primary unit. Statute: Gov. Code §65852.2(f). Sewer District: Camarillo Sanitary District. School Fees: Apply to ADUs 500+ sq ft.

Charging impact fees in excess of the state-law cap is itself unlawful — applicants who have been overcharged can petition the City for a refund or, after exhausting administrative remedies, file a writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure §1085. There is no penalty to the owner for compliant ADU construction.

Camarillo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu impact fees. That said, there are still limits.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Camarillo does not require the property owner to live on-site to operate an ADU permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025, per AB 881 and Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7). JADUs (Junior ADUs) under CMC 19.56 still require owner occupancy of either the JADU or the primary dwelling.

Key details: ADU Owner Occupancy: Not required (Gov. Code 65852.2(a)(7)). JADU Owner Occupancy: Required (state law). Deed Restriction: JADUs only. Statute: AB 881 / AB 976.

Imposing an owner-occupancy requirement on an ADU in violation of Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) is unlawful — the City would have to remove the condition. For JADUs, breach of the recorded deed restriction (e.g., neither owner nor tenant living on-site) is enforceable through the deed restriction's remedies, including potential conversion order or fines under CMC Title 19 enforcement.

The rules around adu owner occupancy in Camarillo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Camarillo ADUs may be rented as long-term housing (30+ days). Short-term rental (under 30 days) of an ADU is restricted by state law (Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6)) and CMC Chapter 19.56 — ADU rentals must be for terms of more than 30 days. JADUs additionally prohibit short-term rental by recorded deed restriction.

Key details: Min Rental Term: More than 30 days. Short-Term Rental: Prohibited. JADU Deed Restriction: Required (no STR). AB 1482: Applies to long-term ADU tenancies. Statute: Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6).

Renting an ADU for less than 31 days violates CMC 19.56 and the recorded deed restriction (for JADUs), enforceable as a CMC Title 19 zoning violation via administrative citation, with continuing daily violations escalating in fine amount. Operators also expose themselves to back-tax assessment for unpaid Transient Occupancy Tax.

ADU Rules

Camarillo permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs (JADUs) on residential lots per California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22, as implemented through CMC Title 19 zoning standards. ADUs up to 800 sq ft are approved ministerially. Larger ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft are allowed with additional standards.

Key details: Max Size: 800-1,200 sq ft depending on bedrooms. Setbacks: 4 feet rear and side. JADU: Up to 500 sq ft within existing home. Parking: None required near transit. HOA Restrictions: Limited by CC 4751.

Building an ADU without a permit violates CMC Title 16. Non-compliant ADUs (exceeding size or setback limits) violate Title 19. Using an ADU as a short-term rental may violate local rules. Contact Community Development at (805) 388-5360 for ADU permits.

The rules around adu rules in Camarillo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Shed Rules

Under CMC Title 16 and the California Building Code, storage sheds up to 120 square feet in area and not exceeding 10 feet in height are generally exempt from building permits in Camarillo. All sheds must comply with zoning setback and lot coverage requirements under CMC Title 19.

Key details: Permit Exempt: 120 sq ft or less, storage only. Height Limit: 10 feet for permit-exempt. Setbacks: 3-5 feet from property lines typical. Front Yard: Sheds not allowed in front setback. HOA Approval: Required regardless of size.

Sheds exceeding 120 sq ft without permits violate CMC Title 16. Sheds violating setbacks or lot coverage violate Title 19. HOA violations for unapproved sheds result in fines and removal requirements. Contact Community Development at (805) 388-5360.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Camarillo gives residents more room on accessory structures. 4 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Camarillo's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.