Santa Cruz's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Santa Cruz maintains 88 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Santa Cruz falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

ADU Rules

The City of Santa Cruz allows accessory dwelling units on lots of any size in any zone that permits residential use, processed ministerially under Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 24.16 Part 2, with statewide-exemption detached ADUs capped at 800 sq ft of livable space, 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and 16-18 ft height.

Key details: Code Section: SCMC 24.16.120-.142 (Ch. 24.16 Part 2). Detached ADU Max Size: 800 sq ft (statewide exemption); up to 1,200 sq ft nonexempt. Side/Rear Setback: 4 ft (3 ft up to 16 ft height for nonexempt detached). Max Height: 16 ft; 18 ft near transit; up to 20-22 ft per standards. Parking: None required outside Coastal Zone.

Building or occupying an ADU without a permit is a zoning and building-code violation enforced by the city's Planning and Community Development Department. However, SCMC 24.16.130(8) bars the city from denying a building permit for an unpermitted ADU constructed before January 1, 2020, on grounds of noncompliance with Part 2, and 24.16.130(7) bars requiring correction of unrelated nonconforming conditions as a condition of approval.

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

Shed Rules

A one-story detached shed under 120 sq ft needs no building permit under California Residential Code R105.2, and under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 24.12.140 a shed under 120 sq ft and 15 ft tall is also exempt from design-permit review; however, no accessory building may sit in a front or exterior side yard, and zoning rules still apply even when a building permit is not required.

Key details: Code Section: SCMC 24.12.140(1) and 24.12.140(3). Required Setback: None for an accessory building (except as otherwise provided). Prohibited Location: Front or exterior side yard. Design-Permit Exemption: < 120 sq ft floor area AND < 15 ft height. Yard Coverage Cap: 30% of any required yard setback area.

Erecting a shed in a prohibited front/exterior side yard, exceeding the 30 percent yard-coverage limit, or building a structure that requires (but lacks) a building permit is a municipal-code violation subject to enforcement by the city's Planning and Community Development Department, including stop-work orders, code-enforcement citations, and orders to remove or relocate the structure.

Santa Cruz is more permissive than most cities when it comes to shed rules. That said, there are still limits.

Garage Conversions

The City of Santa Cruz allows converting a garage into an accessory dwelling unit under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 24.16.125 and 24.16.130; a conversion ADU may use the existing structure (plus up to 150 sq ft of expansion), and the city cannot require notice or a placard to demolish a detached garage being replaced by an ADU.

Key details: Code Section: SCMC 24.16.125(2), 24.16.130(9)-(10), 24.16.141(5). Conversion Expansion: Up to 150 sq ft footprint and 2 ft height. Demolition Notice: Not required for detached garage replaced by ADU. Replacement Parking: None required outside Coastal Zone. State Law: Cal. Gov. Code 66314 et seq..

Converting a garage to a dwelling without the required ministerial building permit is a building- and zoning-code violation enforced by the city's Planning and Community Development Department. SCMC 24.16.130(8) prohibits denying a permit for an unpermitted ADU built before January 1, 2020, on noncompliance grounds, providing a legalization path for older garage conversions.

Santa Cruz is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage conversions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Santa Cruz gives residents more room on accessory structures. 3 of the 3 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.

Keep in mind that Santa Cruz can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.