Accessory Structures in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Santa Maria permits one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot ministerially within 60 days; detached ADUs may be up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot side/rear setbacks, and parking is waived within 1/2 mile of transit.
ADUs allowed ministerially under Chapter 12-56
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Chapter 12-56 (Ordinance No. 2021-03, adopted May 18, 2021), Sections 12-56.04, 12-56.05, 12-56.06
Section 12-56.04. Development standards for ADUs. ... (d) Building site. (2) Unit Size. Floor Area. a. New Construction Attached and Detached ADUs. i. The floor area of an attached, new construction ADU shall not exceed 50% of the existing primary dwelling unit's living area, or 850 square feet (1,000 square feet for ADUs that provide more than one bedroom), whichever is greater. ii. The floor ...
ADU Impact Fees
Santa Maria waives development impact fees entirely for any ADU under 750 square feet under SMMC Section 12-56.05(1)(k). Larger ADUs still owe impact fees, but only charged proportionately to the unit's square footage against the primary dwelling, and utility connection fees follow a separate rule tied to drainage fixture units.
Santa Maria ADU Development Impact Fee Waiver
Light RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Section 12-56.05(1)(k) (Development Standards for ADUs and JADUs, Development Impact Fees)
Development Impact Fees. (i) No development impact fees are required for an ADU that is less than 750-square-feet in floor area. For purposes of this subsection, "impact fee" means a "fee" under the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code Section 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Government Code Section 66477). "Impact fee" here does not include any connection fee or capacity charge for wat...
ADU Owner Occupancy
A junior accessory dwelling unit in Santa Maria requires owner occupancy: either the primary house or the JADU itself must be the property owner's permanent residence under SMMC Section 12-56.05(1)(d). Full-size ADUs carry no such live-in requirement. A recorded covenant enforces the JADU rule, and losing owner-occupancy voids the JADU approval.
Santa Maria JADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Section 12-56.05(1)(d) (Development Standards for ADUs and JADUs, Owner Occupancy)
Owner Occupancy. For all JADUs, either the primary dwelling unit or the newly created JADU shall be owner-occupied as a primary dwelling unit and permanent residence by the property owner(s). Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the owner is another government agency, land trust, or housing organization. (i) If the Zoning Administrator determines that neither of the units is occupied by the...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Santa Maria sets no owner-occupancy or short-term-rental ban on ADUs and JADUs, but SMMC Section 12-56.05(1)(f) bars rentals shorter than 30 days: "Rental of the ADU or JADU is allowed for not less than 30 days." That single sentence rules out nightly or weekly vacation rentals of any accessory unit citywide.
Santa Maria ADU 30-Day Minimum Rental Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Section 12-56.05(1)(f) (Development Standards for ADUs and JADUs, Rental of Unit)
Rental of Unit. Rental of the ADU or JADU is allowed for not less than 30 days.
Shed & Carport Rules
Detached tool and storage sheds up to 120 square feet, 8 feet tall, and at least 5 feet from any other building are exempt from building permits but must sit behind the front wall of the dwelling and be screened by a 6-foot fence or wall.
Sheds up to 120 sq ft and 8 ft tall need no permit
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Chapters 9-04, 9-08, and 12-27 (Accessory Structures)
One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds may be constructed without a building permit provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, the maximum height above adjacent grade does not exceed 8 feet, and the building is located at least 5 feet from any other building on the site.
Garage Conversions
When a garage is converted to an ADU in Santa Maria, no replacement off-street parking is required, but converting a garage to a JADU or to other non-ADU living space requires onsite replacement parking under Chapter 12-32.
Garage-to-ADU conversion needs no replacement parking
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Sections 12-56.04(g)(4) and 12-56.05(e)(1) (Ordinance No. 2021-03)
(4) Replacement Parking. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted in conjunction with the construction of an ADU, off-street parking space replacement shall not be required. ... Section 12-56.05(e) Parking. (1) When a garage is converted to a JADU, onsite replacement parking shall be provided in conformance with Chapter 12-32. Covered parking is not required.
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Accessory Structures in Santa Barbara County →