Accessory Structures in Pismo Beach, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Pismo Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, one ADU and one JADU are allowed per single-family dwelling, approved by zoning clearance outside the Coastal Zone or by coastal development permit inside it. Chapter 17.117 of the 1983 Zoning Ordinance and § 17.38.155 of the 1998 Zoning Code print near-identical standards, with different conversion ADU size caps.
Pismo Beach Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.117.040 and § 17.117.080 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.155 (1998 Zoning Code)
B. Areas Where ADUs are Allowed. ADUs and JADUs are permitted on lots zoned to allow single-family or multifamily dwelling residential uses, with the exceptions noted in subsection D., on lots or parcels where there is an existing or planned single-family or multifamily residence, and where the required development standards are met. ... c. Maximum unit size, ADU: i. Conversion ADU: None. ii. N...
ADU Impact Fees
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the zoning chapters bar impact fees on an ADU or JADU under 750 square feet and charge larger ADUs proportionately to the primary unit. Title 15 separately exempts ADUs from Chapter 15.10 development impact fees and counts an ADU as one-half of a dwelling unit when a fee is established.
Pismo Beach ADU Impact Fee Rules
Light RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 15.10.030 and § 15.10.090; § 17.117.050(E) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.155(E) (1998 Zoning Code)
For purposes of establishing an impact fee, an accessory dwelling unit shall be considered one-half of a dwelling unit, as defined herein. ... The fees imposed under this chapter shall not apply to the following: ... ... D. Development, modification, or expansion of an accessory dwelling unit, as defined in the Zoning Code. ... ... 1. No impact fees shall be imposed on an accessory dwelling uni...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the property owner must permanently reside on the parcel of every junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU), and of every ADU except those permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025. Residency is evidenced by a homeowner's property tax exemption, and a deed restriction is recorded before the building permit issues.
Pismo Beach ADU and JADU Owner Residency Rule
Significant RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.117.080(A)(1)(c) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.155(H)(1)(a)(iii) (1998 Zoning Code)
c. Owner Residency. The following requirements apply to all JADUs. Additionally, the following requirements apply to all ADUs except those permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025. i. Unless owned by a government agency, land trust, or public or nonprofit housing organization, the property owner shall permanently reside, as evidenced by a homeowner's property tax exemption, on the ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, no accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) can be used as a short-term rental. The municipal code says a rental use of less than thirty (30) days is never permitted, and these units must be occupied for terms longer than thirty (30) days. The rule is printed in both zoning codes under Title 17.
Pismo Beach ADU Short-Term Rental Ban (30 Days)
Heavy RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.117.080(A)(1)(a) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.155(H)(1)(a)(i) (1998 Zoning Code)
a. Short-Term Rental Use Prohibited. In no case shall a short-term rental use of less than thirty (30) days be permitted in JADUs or ADUs; these units shall be occupied for terms longer than thirty (30) days. ... ... i. Short-term rental use prohibited. ... and these units shall be occupied for terms longer than thirty (30) days.
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the 1983 Zoning Ordinance limits accessory structures in residential zones to fifteen feet in height with setbacks of twenty feet from the front line, ten from the rear, five from the side and six from other structures, and exempts a prefabricated storage shed of eighty square feet and eight feet tall from a city planning permit. The 1998 Zoning Code repeats the fifteen-foot limit.
Shed and Accessory Building Rules in Pismo Beach, California
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 17.102.140, 17.102.145 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.150(A) (1998 Zoning Code)
Accessory structures in residential zones shall be a maximum of fifteen feet in height and shall be located a minimum of twenty feet from the front property line, ten feet from any rear property line, five feet from any side property line and six feet from any other separate structure on the same lot. ... Portable structures, but not including accessory structures defined in Section 17.102.140,...
Garage Conversions
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a garage can become a conversion ADU, and the 1983 Zoning Ordinance says the garage's off-street parking spaces need not be replaced, except for conversions within the Coastal Zone. A conversion can include additions of no more than 150 square feet before it counts as new construction.
Pismo Beach Garage Conversion to ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.117.030(D) and § 17.117.070(A)(4) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.155(C)(4) (1998 Zoning Code)
D. "Conversion ADU" means the conversion of any portion of a legal accessory structure, or any portion of a single-family dwelling, or any garage, for the purpose of creating an ADU. Conversion ADUs can include additions of no more than one hundred fifty (150) square feet. Any conversion that exceeds these limits shall be considered a new construction ADU for the purposes of this chapter. ... ....
Looking for San Luis Obispo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pismo Beach city rules.
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