5 rules for unincorporated Alpine County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Alpine County's local ADU ordinance (Chapter 18.69) does not comply with current state law, so the county follows California ADU law (Gov. Code 65852.2). ADUs are permitted in most zones with 4-foot side/rear setbacks and streamlined 60-day building permit review.
Alpine County requires a building permit for any new accessory structure with a floor area greater than 120 square feet. Detached accessory buildings may occupy no more than half the required rear yard, must sit at least 5 feet from the main building, and may not exceed 25 feet in height.
Converting an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit is favorable in Alpine County: under state ADU law there is no maximum size for a conversion and no setback is required for an existing structure converted to living space. A building permit and utility-capacity verification are still required.
Alpine County zoning (Chapter 18.68) allows carports and garages to be attached to the main building by a common wall or connected by a breezeway. A building permit is needed for structures over 120 square feet, and setbacks and the 25-foot accessory-building height limit apply.
Alpine County has no standalone tiny-home ordinance. A tiny home built on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling or ADU; a movable tiny home on wheels is treated as a recreational vehicle/trailer and, as a temporary structure, requires a permit. A permanent tiny home as an ADU follows state ADU law.
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