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Accessory Structures in San Leandro, CA (2026)

9 verified accessory structures rules for San Leandro, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

ADU Rules

San Leandro Zoning Code §2.04.388 allows one detached ADU and one JADU per single-family lot through ministerial review, implementing California Government Code §§65852.1, 65852.2 and 65852.22.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs

Few Restrictions

ADU Permits

ADU and JADU permits in San Leandro are issued ministerially by the Building Division within 60 days of a complete application, separate from any main-house permit.

ADU Building Permits and Ministerial Review

Few Restrictions

ADU Impact Fees

Effective July 21, 2025, San Leandro City Council Resolutions 2025-106 and 2025-107 waive Park Impact Fees and Development Fees for Street Improvements (DFSI) for all ADUs; ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from all impact fees by state law.

ADU Impact Fees - Park and Street Improvement Fees Waived

Few Restrictions

ADU Owner Occupancy

San Leandro Zoning Code §2.04.388 does not impose owner-occupancy for ADUs; for JADUs, owner-occupancy is required only when sanitary facilities are shared with the primary dwelling.

ADU/JADU Owner-Occupancy Rules

Few Restrictions

ADU Rental Restrictions

Per San Leandro Zoning Code §2.04.388, if an ADU or JADU is rented, the rental term must be 30 days or longer; short-term rental (under 30 days) is prohibited.

ADU Rental Restrictions - 30-Day Minimum, No Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Shed Rules

Detached storage sheds 120 sf or less and under 8 ft tall are permit-exempt under the California Building Code as adopted by San Leandro, but still must meet Zoning Code Section 2.04.348 setbacks and lot coverage limits.

Sheds in San Leandro: 120 sf permit threshold, 5 ft setbacks

Some Restrictions

Garage Conversions

Converting an existing attached or detached garage into an ADU or JADU is a ministerial 60-day approval under San Leandro Zoning Code Sec. 2.04.388, and California Government Code Sec. 66314 prohibits the city from requiring replacement of the displaced parking spaces.

Garage conversions: ministerial ADU/JADU pathway, no parking replacement

Few Restrictions

Carport Rules

A carport in San Leandro counts as a covered parking space and is regulated jointly by Zoning Code Sec. 2.04.348 (accessory-structure setbacks) and Chapter 4.08 (Off-Street Parking and Loading), which limits visible above-ground parking to 40% of street frontage and requires screening for carports serving five or more cars.

Carports: 20 ft front setback, screening, 40% street-frontage cap

Some Restrictions

Tiny Homes

San Leandro has no separate tiny-home ordinance; site-built tiny houses are permitted only as ADUs under Zoning Code Sec. 2.04.388, and tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are only allowed when they qualify as movable ADUs meeting California HCD registration and ANSI A119.5/NFPA 1192 standards.

Tiny homes: site-built ADU yes, THOW only as ADU under state law

Some Restrictions

Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Leandro city rules.

Accessory Structures in Alameda County