Accessory Structures in Los Banos, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Los Banos, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
California's ministerial ADU law runs the process, but Los Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3005 sets the numbers that apply once a complete application clears review: a detached ADU tops out at sixteen feet and 850 to 1,000 square feet, with just a four-foot side and rear setback, on any residential or mixed-use lot that already has a dwelling.
Los Banos Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code §§ 9-3.3001(c), 9-3.3003(b), 9-3.3005(c), (d)(1)
Accessory dwelling units are allowed in all residential or mixed use or multifamily zoning districts that allow for any single-family or multifamily residential uses where there is a proposed or existing dwelling. ... One detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed four-foot side and rear yard set-backs for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. ....
ADU Impact Fees
An accessory dwelling unit under 750 square feet pays no development impact fees at all in Los Banos. Municipal Code § 9-3.3009 waives impact fees below that threshold and, above it, charges fees only in proportion to the ADU's size relative to the primary dwelling, not the flat rate a new single-family home would pay.
Los Banos ADU Impact Fee Rules
Light RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3009
No impact fee shall be imposed upon the development of an accessory dwelling unit that is less than 750 square feet. Any impact fees charged for an accessory dwelling unit of 750 square feet or more shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit (e.g., the floor area of the primary dwelling, divided by the floor area of the accessory dwelling uni...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Los Banos does not require an owner to live on site for a standalone ADU permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025, but § 9-3.3006(c) otherwise requires the property owner to occupy either the main house or the accessory unit as a legal domicile, and junior ADUs carry the same rule outside a narrow nonprofit exception.
Los Banos ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3006(c)
Owner-Occupancy. (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit. A natural person with legal or equitable title to the lot must reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit as the person's legal domicile and permanent residence. However, this owner-occupancy requirement shall not apply to any accessory dwelling unit that is permitted in accordance with this section between January 1...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Los Banos allows an ADU to be rented out, just not as a short-term rental. Municipal Code § 9-3.3006(b) bars renting an accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU for stays under 30 days, and the City records that restriction against the property through a mandatory deed restriction before any building permit issues.
Los Banos ADUs Barred From Short-Term Rental
Significant RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3006(a), (b), (d)
No Separate Conveyance. An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit may be rented, but no accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit may be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in the case of a single unit dwelling) or from the lot and all of the dwellings (in the case of a multi-unit dwelling). ... Short-Term Lodging. The ...
Shed & Carport Rules
Sheds and other detached accessory buildings in Los Banos R-1 and R-2 lots are capped at 30% of the required rear yard individually, 50% collectively, under Municipal Code § 9-3.4404(a). Structures 120 square feet or smaller, ten feet or less in height, need only an 18-inch setback.
Los Banos Accessory Building and Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.4404
§ 9-3.4404. General requirements. ... (a) Lot coverage. A single accessory building or structure shall not occupy more than 30% of the required rear yard area, nor shall all such accessory buildings or structures collectively occupy more than 50% of the required rear yard area. ... (c) Setbacks and height limitations. (1) Enclosed accessory buildings or structures of 120 square feet or less of ...
Garage Conversions
Converting an existing garage or carport into an accessory dwelling unit in Los Banos does not trigger a new setback. Municipal Code § 9-3.3005(b)(1) lets the conversion keep whatever setback the garage already has, even if that is closer to the property line than the zoning district would otherwise allow for new construction.
Los Banos Garage-to-ADU Conversion Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3005(b)(1), (2)
Setback Requirements. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall comply with the set-back requirements applicable to the zoning district, except as noted below: ... For conversion of existing enclosed floor area, garage, or carport, no additional setback is required, beyond the existing provided setback. ... For replacement of an existing enclosed structure, garage, or c...