Accessory Structures in San Rafael, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for San Rafael, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
San Rafael must act on a complete accessory dwelling unit application within 60 days under city code, with no discretionary hearing required: only an applicant-requested delay pauses that clock.
San Rafael ADU Permit Review Timeline
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.285.D
The city shall act on the ADU application within sixty (60) days from the date the city receives a completed application if there is an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling on the lot.2.If the ADU application is submitted together with a permit application to create a new single-family dwelling on the lot, the city may delay acting on the ADU permit application until the city acts on ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
San Rafael requires owner-occupancy of the single-family home whenever a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) is added, though the owner may live in either the main house or the new JADU. The requirement does not apply if a government agency, land trust or housing organization owns the property, per Section 14.16.285.C.2.c.
San Rafael Junior ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.285.C.2.c
2.JADU Additional Standards. In addition to the development standards in Table 14.16.285 and objective design standards in section C.3, a JADU shall comply with all provisions of this subsection unless expressly indicated otherwise:a.Maximum Number per Lot. Not more than one (1) JADU shall be permitted per legal lot.b.Rental. A JADU may be rented but shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed sepa...
ADU Rental Restrictions
San Rafael bars selling an ADU separately from the main house, and requires a 30-day minimum rental term for ADUs built under the city's streamlined, standards-light approval pathway.
San Rafael ADU Sale and Rental Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.285.C.4.b and § 14.16.285.E.5
Rental. An ADU may be rented but shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the primary dwelling, except as provided in California Government Code Section 65852.26, as that section may be amended. ... An ADU permitted under this subsection E shall not be rented for less than thirty (30) days.
Shed & Carport Rules
Unlike sheds and other small accessory structures, San Rafael carports and garages must meet the full front, side and rear setbacks of the underlying zoning district, and carports need a minimum interior of 9 by 19 feet for one car, 18 by 19 feet for two.
San Rafael Carport Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.020(E)(1)(e)
Detached accessory structures may only be placed between the front-facing wall of the primary structure and the front setback with administrative design review, except as allowed by Section 14.16.020.E.1.a. This requirement does not apply to garage or carport structures which must comply with the setbacks established by the applicable zoning district.
Garage Conversions
San Rafael does not require replacement parking when a garage, carport or covered parking structure is demolished or converted to build an accessory dwelling unit. The waiver comes from the ADU parking standards at San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.16.285.C.5.c.
San Rafael Garage-to-ADU Parking Waiver
Light RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.285.C.5.c
5.Parking.a.One (1) parking space shall be provided per ADU except where the proposed ADU meets any criteria of subsection b. of this subsection. This parking space may be permitted anywhere on the lot, may be tandem parking on a driveway, and may be covered or uncovered.b.No parking shall be required for the following:(1)The ADU is located within one-half (½) mile walking distance of public tr...
Looking for Marin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Rafael city rules.
Accessory Structures in Marin County →