5 rules for unincorporated Colusa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Colusa County regulates ADUs as 'accessory units' in Section 44-4.10 of the Zoning Code (Chapter 44). The county caps a unit at 1,200 sq ft (up to 2,500 sq ft on agricultural classifications) and historically required owner occupancy and a recorded deed restriction, but current California law (Gov. Code 66310-66342) preempts those owner-occupancy rules and requires ministerial approval.
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-4.10.060(c)
Maximum Unit Size. The floor area of the accessory unit shall not exceed one thousand two hundred square feet, except on agricultural classifications (F-A, E-A, U-C, U-T, and A-T) the floor area may be up to two thousand five hundred square feet.
In unincorporated Colusa County, a shed is an 'accessory building or structure' under the Zoning Code (Chapter 44). In the residential zones, accessory-structure setbacks are 20 feet in front, 5 feet in the rear, and 5 feet on the interior side (3 feet in the rear half of the lot); detached buildings must be 5 feet from any building.
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-2.30.20 (Development Standards table, Note [1])
[1] Attached accessory buildings which are unenclosed and not conditioned space as per the California Building Code, used primarily for shade such as patio covers and awnings. Detached accessory buildings must be 5 feet from any building.
Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Colusa County changes its use. If the conversion creates a separate dwelling it is an 'accessory unit' under Section 44-4.10 of the Zoning Code; either way a building permit is required. Current California ADU law (Gov. Code 66310-66342) lets owners convert a garage to an ADU ministerially.
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-4.10.060(b)
Construction within or above Existing Buildings or Detached Accessory Buildings. An accessory unit may be constructed within or above an existing building or detached accessory building.
Unincorporated Colusa County's Zoning Code treats a carport as a 'private garage' / accessory structure. A carport must meet the residential accessory-structure setbacks - 20 feet in front, 5 feet in the rear, and 5 feet on the interior side (3 feet in the rear half of the lot) - and a detached structure must be 5 feet from any building.
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-0.10 (Definitions)
Garage, private. A fully enclosed accessory building, either attached or detached, or a portion of a building designed and/or used primarily for the shelter or storage of vehicles, trailers, recreational vehicles, and boats by the occupants of the dwelling.
Unincorporated Colusa County's Zoning Code defines a 'tiny home' as a structure meeting Appendix Q of the 2019 California Residential Code. A tiny home (park trailer) outside an approved mobile-home park is allowed only as an accessory dwelling unit, and only if it is on a permitted permanent foundation with wheels and tongue removed, county-approved utilities, residential exterior design, and skirting.
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-0.10 (Definitions, 'Tiny home')
A tiny home (park trailer) located outside of a county and state approved mobile home and/or special occupancy parks is considered an approved type of accessory dwelling unit if the following criteria are met: (1) All utilities are connected to county approved systems under an issued county permit; (2) The wheels and tongue are removed, and the structure is supported by a county approved founda...
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