How Redding Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Redding maintains 137 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Redding falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

ADU Rules

Redding allows accessory dwelling units by right on any lot zoned RL, RE, RS, RM, GO, GC, GC-VR, DCD, or DMUD under Municipal Code Section 18.43.140. An ADU does not count toward density, needs no discretionary permit or public hearing, and the city must approve or deny a complete building permit application within sixty days.

Key details: Detached ADU size cap: 1,000 sq ft. JADU size cap: 500 sq ft. Detached ADU height: 16 ft (18 ft near transit). Attached ADU height: 25 ft or district limit. Permit process: Ministerial, no hearing.

Building or occupying an ADU that does not meet Section 18.43.140's location, size, height, or setback standards without approval is a code violation subject to Title 1 enforcement: Section 1.12.020 makes an uncorrected violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, with each day of the violation a separate offense. A certificate of occupancy cannot issue for a noncompliant unit.

Shed & Carport Rules

Redding lets homeowners build sheds under 120 square feet without a building permit under Section 18.43.020(C), but they still can't sit in a front or street-side setback. Bigger detached accessory structures in RE, RS and RM zones are capped at 1,500 square feet total and 22 feet tall.

Key details: Permit-exempt shed size: under 120 square feet. Detached structures per lot (RE/RS/RM): 2, more via permit. Cumulative floor area cap (RE/RS/RM): 1,500 square feet. Max height (RE/RS/RM): 22 feet. Front/street-side setback for sheds: prohibited regardless of size.

An accessory structure or shed that exceeds the two-structure count, the 1,500-square-foot cumulative floor-area cap, the height limit, or the required setbacks without an approved site development permit is a zoning violation under Section 18.43.020; Development Services can require removal or after-the-fact permitting, and continuing violations are enforceable through the city's general nuisance-abatement and penalty provisions.

Garage Conversions

Redding removes the one-thousand-square-foot ADU size cap when the unit is a converted accessory structure. Municipal Code Section 18.43.140(F)(2)(b) allows a converted garage or similar structure of any size to become an ADU, and if it already exceeds one thousand square feet, it may still be expanded by up to one hundred fifty square feet for ingress and egress.

Key details: Converted structure size limit: None. Expansion allowance if over 1,000 sq ft: Up to 150 sq ft (ingress/egress only). Nonconforming setbacks: May be retained on conversion. New-build ADU size cap: 1,000 sq ft (for comparison).

Expanding a converted accessory structure beyond the one-hundred-fifty-square-foot ingress-and-egress allowance, or converting one without a building permit, is a code violation enforceable under Title 1. Section 1.12.020 makes an uncorrected violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, and a certificate of occupancy cannot issue for an unpermitted conversion.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Redding requires the property owner to live on-site if the lot has a junior accessory dwelling unit, but not if the lot has only a standard accessory dwelling unit. Municipal Code Section 18.43.140(I)(3) draws this owner-occupancy line, tying the requirement to the JADU's shared-entry, shared-utility design rather than to standalone ADUs.

Key details: JADU owner occupancy: Required. Standalone ADU owner occupancy: Not required. JADU deed restriction: Filed with County Recorder. JADU separate sale: Prohibited.

Violating the JADU deed restriction or occupancy requirement exposes the property owner to legal action under Section 18.43.140(G)(3), and any resulting code violation falls under Title 1's general penalty, Section 1.12.020: an uncorrected violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Redding gives residents more flexibility on adu owner occupancy.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Redding bans short-term rentals of accessory dwelling units outright. Municipal Code Section 18.43.140(I)(1) sets a thirty-day minimum lease for any unit on a property developed with an ADU or junior ADU and separately prohibits using either unit as a short-term rental as defined in the city's Section 18.43.180.

Key details: Minimum lease term: 30 days. Short-term rental use: Prohibited. STR definition cross-ref: RMC § 18.43.180. Applies regardless of owner occupancy: Yes.

Renting an ADU or JADU for less than thirty days or operating it as a short-term rental violates Section 18.43.140(I)(1) and is enforceable as a code violation under Title 1. Section 1.12.020 makes an uncorrected violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, with each rental day counted as a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its adu rental restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Redding's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Redding is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Redding's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.