Accessory Structures in Tustin, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Tustin, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Tustin allows one ADU on any single-family lot and up to two detached ADUs on a multi-family lot under City Code § 9279. Detached units max out at 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom and 1,200 square feet for two or more, with a 16-foot height limit in most cases.
Tustin Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards
Some RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9279
A.Purpose. ... The purpose of this Section is to provide for the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in a manner consistent with State Law. ... 4.Unit Size and Height.(a)Maximum Size.i.Attached ADUs. The total floor area of an attached ADU shall not exceed the following:1.Studio or One (1) Bedroom, (i) 850 square feet, or (ii) fifty (50) pe...
ADU Impact Fees
Tustin waives the development impact fee entirely for an accessory dwelling unit under 750 square feet. Build one at 750 square feet or larger and Community Development charges the fee proportionally, scaled to the ADU's share of the primary dwelling's square footage rather than a flat citywide rate. The waiver covers impact fees only, not planning application, plan check, or building permit fees, which the applicant still pays in full.
Tustin ADU Impact Fee Waiver Under 750 Sq Ft
Some RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9279I
I.Fees.1.No impact fee is required for an ADU measuring less than 750 square feet. Any impact fees charged for an ADU of 750 square feet of more shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling.2.Construction of an ADU is subject to any applicable fee adopted under the California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 5 (commencing with § 66000) ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Tustin does not require the property owner to live in either the primary home or an accessory dwelling unit. A Junior ADU is different: Tustin City Code Section 9279(F)(3) requires the owner to occupy either the JADU or the primary residence as a domicile, and that requirement is locked in by a recorded deed restriction before the City issues a building permit.
Tustin ADU Owner-Occupancy Not Required
Light RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9279F3
3.Owner Occupancy Requirements.(a)ADUs. Owner occupancy of either the primary dwelling or ADU is not required.(b)JADUs. The property owner of the lot upon which a JADU is located must occupy either the JADU or the primary residence as his or her domicile.
ADU Rental Restrictions
An accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU in Tustin can be rented out, but only on a lease longer than thirty days. Tustin City Code Section 9279(F) bans any short-term rental of thirty days or less and separately bars selling or otherwise conveying the ADU or JADU apart from the primary residence, closing off both the vacation-rental route and any attempt to split ownership of the lot.
Tustin Bars Short-Term ADU and JADU Rentals
Significant RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9279F1-F2
1.No Separate Conveyance. Except as otherwise provided in Government Code Section 65852.26 or by other applicable law, an ADU or JADU may be rented separate from the primary residence, but may not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence, and a lot shall not be subdivided in any manner which would authorize such separate sale or ownership.2.No Short-Term Rental Permitte...
Shed & Carport Rules
Detached sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Tustin can sit as close as zero feet to a side or rear property line under City Code § 9271n if they abut a neighbor's zero-setback structure or an unimproved lot, but anything built within five feet of an "R" District side or rear line must be enclosed with a solid wall on that side.
Tustin Shed and Accessory Structure Setbacks
Some RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9271n
2.Detached accessory structures, such as garages, carports, laundry and recreation buildings, may be constructed on the front one-half (½) of the lot, provided, however, that in any R3 or R4 District no garage, carport, or laundry building openings shall face an abutting street. ... 4.Detached accessory structures may have a zero-foot side and rear yard property line setback if abutting an adjo...
Garage Conversions
Converting a Tustin garage into an accessory dwelling unit does not force you to rebuild the parking space you lose. Table 1 of Tustin City Code Section 9263(g) says off-street parking is not required to be replaced when an existing garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted for an ADU, though converting an attached garage into a JADU instead does require replacing any parking the primary dwelling loses.
Tustin Garage-to-ADU Conversion Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsTustin City Code § 9263g
Off-street parking spaces are not required to be replaced when an existing garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU or converted to an ADU. ... No additional off-street parking is required for a JADU beyond that required at the time the existing primary dwelling was constructed. However, when an existing attached garage is conver...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tustin city rules.
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