Accessory Structures in Fresno, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Fresno processes Accessory Dwelling Units ministerially under FMC § 15-2754, allowing up to two ADUs plus one JADU on a single-unit lot. ADUs can reach 50% of the primary home's floor area or 1,400 square feet, stand up to 30 feet tall, and need no additional off-street parking.
Fresno ADU Permit Standards & Limits
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2754(A), (D), (E)
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow for the ministerial development of Second Dwelling Units in a manner that is consistent with the requirements identified in Government Code Section 66310 et seq. ... 4. Maximum Size. a. ADUs. Not to exceed 50 percent of the average floor area of the primary unit(s) or 1,400 square feet, whichever is greater. ... 5. Maximum Height. Per the unde...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Fresno does not require the owner to live on-site for a standard Accessory Dwelling Unit, but a Junior ADU is different: FMC § 15-2754(F)(1) requires the owner to reside in either the primary residence or the JADU itself, unless the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.
Fresno ADU Owner-Occupancy Rules
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2754(F)(1)
F. Additional Regulations. 1. Owner Occupancy. a. ADUs. Owner-occupancy is not required. b. JADUs. The owner must reside in either the primary residence or in the JADU. i. Exception. Owner-occupancy is not required when the property owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Fresno bars short-term rental of Accessory Dwelling Units: FMC § 15-2754(F)(3) requires any Second Dwelling Unit that is rented to be leased for 30 consecutive days or longer, closing off nightly or weekend rentals of ADUs and JADUs city-wide.
Fresno ADU Minimum 30-Day Rental Term
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2754(F)(3)
3. Rental Restrictions. Second Dwelling Units that are rented must be for terms of 30 consecutive days or longer.
Shed & Carport Rules
In Fresno a one-story detached tool/storage shed of 120 square feet or less, no more than 12 feet high, and at least 3 feet from property lines needs no building permit; accessory structures on residential parcels of 10,000 sq ft or less are capped at 12 feet high and must comply with Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2004.
Sheds under 120 sq ft permit-exempt; 12 ft height cap
Few RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2004(A), (D)(2)(b), (E)(1)
15-2004 Accessory Buildings and Structures. A. Applicability. These provisions apply to: 1. All new structures over seven feet in height, including, but not limited to, garages, carports, porte-cocheres, sheds, workshops, gazebos, greenhouses, cabanas, trellises, play structures, aviaries, covered patios, etc. which collectively shall be referred to as Accessory Structures, that are attached or...
Garage Conversions
Converting a garage to living space in Fresno generally means creating an Accessory Dwelling Unit under Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2754, and California Government Code Section 66314 bars the City from requiring replacement of the parking spaces lost when a garage is converted to or demolished for an ADU.
Garage-to-ADU allowed; no replacement parking required
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code Sec. 66314(d)(11) (ADU garage conversion / parking replacement); cf. Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 15-2754(N)(1)(c)
When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the local agency shall not require that those offstreet parking spaces be replaced.
Tiny Homes
Fresno permits a Tiny House on Wheels as an Accessory Dwelling Unit under FMC § 15-2754(C)(1)(a), but only if it meets every ADU standard in the section plus three extra conditions: ANSI certification, an engineered foundation system, and skirting enclosing the gap between the home and the ground.
Fresno Tiny House on Wheels as ADU
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2754(C)(1)(a)
a. A Tiny House on Wheels (THOW) may be considered an ADU if it meets all the requirements of this section. In addition, THOWs must be ANSI certified, be placed on an engineered foundation system, and use skirting to enclose the area between the home and the ground.
Looking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Accessory Structures in Fresno County →