Accessory Structures in Aliso Viejo, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Aliso Viejo, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) are governed by Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080. Every application is approved ministerially, with no discretionary review or hearing. Class 1 units need only a building permit, while Class 2 units need a development review permit from the planning division.
Aliso Viejo Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow and regulate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in compliance with Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code. ... 3. Upon receipt of an application for a DRP, the city will provide written notice via email to the applicable HOA on record, if any, that includes the project add...
ADU Impact Fees
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080(J)(1) bars any impact fee on a JADU or on an ADU under 750 square feet of interior livable space. Larger ADUs pay only a fee charged proportionately to the primary dwelling's square footage. Water and sewer connection fees and capacity charges are treated separately.
Aliso Viejo ADU Impact Fee Rules
Light RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080(J)(1)
a. No impact fee is required for a JADU or for an ADU that is less than 750 square feet of interior livable space. For purposes of this subsection (J)(1), “impact fee” means a “fee” under the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code Section 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Government Code Section 66477). “Impact fee” here does not include any connection fee or capacity charge for water or s...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, owner occupancy is a rule for junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) under Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080(H)(7). An owner must live in either the primary dwelling or the JADU as a legal domicile, unless the JADU has its own sanitation facilities or a government agency, land trust or housing organization owns the property.
Aliso Viejo JADU Owner Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080(H)
7. Owner Occupancy. JADUs are generally subject to an owner-occupancy requirement. A natural person with legal or equitable title to the property must reside on the property, in either the primary dwelling or JADU, as the person’s legal domicile and permanent residence. ... a. Exceptions. The owner-occupancy requirement in this subsection (H)(7)(a) does not apply in either of the following situ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, no accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit can be rented for a term shorter than 30 days, and the ban applies regardless of when the unit was created. Renting to a long-term tenant is allowed, but the unit cannot be sold or conveyed apart from the lot and primary dwelling.
Aliso Viejo ADU Rental Term Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080(H)
4. Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter than 30 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created. ... 5. No Separate Conveyance. An ADU or JADU may be rented, but, except as otherwise provided in Government Code Section 66341, no ADU or JADU may be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in the cas...
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Aliso Viejo, § 15.14.060 allows no more than two yard buildings on a residential lot, each no larger than 200 square feet in ground area. A shed under six feet high can sit up to a side or rear property line; at six feet or over it must be at least three feet from the line and no taller than eight feet.
Aliso Viejo Storage Shed and Yard Building Rules
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.060
B. Standards. ... Yard buildings shall conform to the requirements listed below. Height shall be measured at the highest point of the structure. 1. Side and Rear Yards. Yard buildings under six feet in height may be located up to a side or rear property line subject to building or fire code limitations. Yard buildings six feet in height or over shall be located at least three feet from the prop...
Garage Conversions
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, a garage can be converted to a unit under Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080. An attached garage counts as part of a single-family structure for a JADU, and for Class 2 ADUs the off-street spaces lost to a garage conversion or demolition do not have to be replaced.
Aliso Viejo Garage Conversion to ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.080
b. It is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family structure; an enclosed use within the residence, such as an attached garage, is considered to be a part of and contained within the single-family structure. ... xi. ... Concurrent Review of Demolition. A demolition permit for a detached garage that is to be replaced with an ADU is reviewed with the application for the ADU ...
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