Accessory Structures in Redwood City, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Redwood City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Redwood City lets any residential lot with a single-family home add one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and one junior ADU under Zoning Code Section 37.3. Standard ADUs cap at 850 square feet, rising to 1,000 square feet with more than one bedroom and 1,200 square feet for units meeting disabled-access standards. Only a 4-foot side and rear setback applies, no added parking is required, and ADUs are exempt from the lot's overall coverage limit.
Redwood City ADU Development Standards
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 37.3
A four (4) foot side and rear yard setback shall be required. Accessory dwelling units shall be subject to front yard setbacks applicable to the primary dwelling unless such a requirement would preclude the construction of a Statewide Exemption Accessory Dwelling Unit as is described in Section 37.4.B. ... Accessory dwelling units detached from an existing or proposed primary dwelling shall be ...
ADU Impact Fees
Redwood City charges no impact fees on any accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU smaller than 750 square feet. Above that size, impact fees are charged proportionately to the ADU's square footage relative to the primary dwelling, and utility connection fees and capacity charges are not counted as "impact fees" at all.
Redwood City ADU Impact Fee Exemption
Light RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code § 37.3(K)
K.Utilities and Impact Fees.1.No junior accessory dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted if it is determined that there is not adequate water or sewer service to the property.2.No impact fees shall be imposed on a junior accessory dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit that is less than seven hundred fifty (750) square feet in size. For purposes of this Article, "impact f...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Redwood City requires the owner to live in either the main house or the junior accessory dwelling unit whenever a JADU is created; standard, larger accessory dwelling units carry no such owner-occupancy condition. A recorded deed restriction backs up the JADU rule and bars selling the JADU apart from the primary home.
Redwood City Junior ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code § 37.3(I)
I.Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. If a junior accessory dwelling unit is proposed, it shall comply with the requirements of California Government Code Section 66333, as may be amended from time to time, including, but not limited to the following:1.Shall not exceed five hundred (500) square feet in size....4.Shall provide a separate exterior entrance from the single-family home.5.Shall contain...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Redwood City bars owners from selling an accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU separately from the main house, and from renting either one for less than 30 days, under Zoning Code Section 37.5. Only ADUs already registered as short-term rentals with the City before January 1, 2020 are grandfathered in and may keep operating as short-term rentals.
Redwood City ADU Rental Term Limits
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 37.5
Except as otherwise permitted by State law, an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall not be offered for sale, nor sold, but may be rented for terms longer than thirty (30) days. The short-term rental of accessory dwelling units shall not be permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, existing short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units that were registered with the Ci...
Shed & Carport Rules
Redwood City limits sheds, detached garages and other accessory buildings to 16 feet in total height, with a 9-foot wall cap on flat or shed roofs near the side and rear lines. They must sit at least 4 feet off the side and rear property lines and 6 feet from any other building on the lot.
Redwood City Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 36.5
C.Location. An accessory building shall not project beyond the front wall line of a main building and shall meet the following setback requirements:1.Front Yard. An accessory building shall comply with the minimum front yard setback of the underlying zoning district.2.Side Yard. For interior side yard setbacks, the accessory building shall provide a minimum side yard setback of four (4) feet.3....
Garage Conversions
Redwood City lets homeowners convert an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit with no added setback, and under the Statewide Exemption path, no discretionary review: only a building permit is required, and the converted space can expand by up to 150 square feet for a proper entrance.
Redwood City Garage-to-ADU Conversion Rule
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code §§ 37.3(C)(1)(b), 37.4(A)
A.Single-Family Conversion. One (1) accessory dwelling unit and one (1) junior accessory dwelling unit per lot shall be permitted within an existing or proposed single-family dwelling if the accessory dwelling unit is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure and has exterior access separate from the primary dwelli...
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redwood City city rules.
Accessory Structures in San Mateo County →