Accessory Structures in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Santa Cruz, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
The City of Santa Cruz allows accessory dwelling units on lots of any size in any zone that permits residential use, processed ministerially under Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 24.16 Part 2, with statewide-exemption detached ADUs capped at 800 sq ft of livable space, 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and 16-18 ft height.
ADUs ministerial; detached up to 800-1,200 sq ft
Few RestrictionsCA HCD ordinance-review letter to City of Santa Cruz (Feb. 6, 2024), quoting Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2(c)(2)(C) [recodified at Gov. Code 66321]
[L]ocal agencies may not establish any maximum size for an ADU based upon limits on lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space, front setbacks, and minimum lot size for either attached or detached dwellings that does not permit at least an 800 square foot accessory dwelling unit with four-foot side and rear yard setbacks (Gov. Code, Section 65852.2, subd. (c)(2)(C)).
Shed Rules
A one-story detached shed under 120 sq ft needs no building permit under California Residential Code R105.2, and under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 24.12.140 a shed under 120 sq ft and 15 ft tall is also exempt from design-permit review; however, no accessory building may sit in a front or exterior side yard, and zoning rules still apply even when a building permit is not required.
Sheds need no setback; <120 sq ft exempt from design permit
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5, CCR) Section R105.2(1)
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. ... Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: 1. Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2). It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by Section 710A, despite exemption from permit.
Garage Conversions
The City of Santa Cruz allows converting a garage into an accessory dwelling unit under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 24.16.125 and 24.16.130; a conversion ADU may use the existing structure (plus up to 150 sq ft of expansion), and the city cannot require notice or a placard to demolish a detached garage being replaced by an ADU.
Garage-to-ADU conversions ministerial; no notice to demolish
Few RestrictionsCity of Santa Cruz Municipal Code, Title 24 Zoning (Off-Street Parking, Covered Parking)
Covered Parking. At least 1 of the required parking spaces for each dwelling unit shall be covered, within a carport or a garage unless otherwise specified within Title 24. Each standard-size parking space required to be located in a garage or carport for a residential unit shall be not less than 19 feet in length by 8.5 feet in width.
Looking for Santa Cruz County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Cruz city rules.
Accessory Structures in Santa Cruz County →