Accessory Structures in El Dorado County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated El Dorado County, California.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
El Dorado County allows one accessory dwelling unit and one junior ADU by right on any lot zoned for single-family or multi-family use under Code Section 130.40.300. Detached units are capped between 850 and 1,600 square feet by lot size, attached units cannot exceed 50 percent of the primary home, and permits issued after January 1, 2025 require owner occupancy.
El Dorado County ADU Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.300 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
A.This Section implements California Government Code Section 65852.2 et seq. regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and California Government Code Section 65852.22 et seq regarding junior accessory dwelling units, to provide affordable housing alternatives, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of El Dorado County. ... B.Applicability. In all zones that permit si...
ADU Owner Occupancy
El Dorado County Code Section 130.40.300(D) requires the property owner to live in either the primary home or the accessory dwelling unit for any ADU permitted after January 1, 2025, closing the state-law window that had suspended owner-occupancy rules for ADUs approved between 2020 and 2025. Junior ADUs have always required owner occupancy.
El Dorado County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.300(D)
State law suspends the County's requirement for owner occupancy of one of the residential units on the property for accessory dwelling units permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025, except in the case of junior accessory dwelling units. Permits issued after January 1, 2025, the property owner shall occupy one of the residential dwelling units. This subsection is explicitly intende...
ADU Rental Restrictions
El Dorado County Code Section 130.40.300(B) lets an accessory dwelling unit be rented separately from the main house, but only for terms of 30 consecutive days or longer, which rules out nightly or weekly vacation rentals in a standalone ADU. The unit also cannot be sold or transferred apart from the primary residence except under a narrow state-law exception.
El Dorado County ADU Rental Minimum: 30 Days
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.300(B)
In all zones that permit single-family or multi-family residential development, the expansion of the primary dwelling or the construction of a new structure for the purpose of creating an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit is allowed by right, subject to the provisions of this Section. The accessory dwelling unit may be rented separate from the primary residence for a t...
Shed & Carport Rules
El Dorado County lets a portable shed sit as close as five feet from the side or rear property line, but only if it is non-habitable, under 120 square feet, and carries no utilities, under Section 130.30.050(C)(3)(d). Front-yard placement still needs the full zone setback, and fire-safe clearance rules apply.
El Dorado County Portable Shed Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Zoning Ordinance (Title 130), Section 130.30.050(C)(3)(d)
d.Portable Sheds (non-habitable, less than 120 square feet of floor space, containing no utilities):(1)Front. Setback required by zone.(2)Side and Rear. Five feet minimum, subject to fire safe regulations under Subsection D (Fire Safe Setbacks) below in this Section.
Garage Conversions
El Dorado County Code Section 130.40.300(C)(3)(c) lets a homeowner convert a legally permitted garage or other accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit with no setback requirement and no size cap under the ADU floor-area table, as long as it meets building code standards for a permanent dwelling.
Converting a Garage to an ADU in El Dorado County
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.300(C)(3)(c)
Converted Existing Space.(1)Any legally permitted residential accessory structure (e.g. garage, pool house, cabana, artist studio, barn, workshop etc.) may be converted to an accessory dwelling unit, subject to local building code and zoning provisions of this Title. No setback shall be required for conversion of an existing living area or legally permitted accessory structure or a structure co...
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