5 rules for unincorporated Nevada County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Nevada County, ADUs and JADUs are reviewed ministerially and are governed primarily by California State ADU Law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.). A completed application must be approved or denied within 60 days, ADUs need only 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and no owner-occupancy may be required.
Nevada County Land Use and Development Code, Sec. 12.03.190-12.03.191
Section 12.03.190 Accessory and Second Dwelling Units. Accessory and junior accessory dwelling units provide an important source of affordable housing. By promoting the development of accessory, junior accessory, and second dwelling units, the County may ease a rental-housing deficit, maximize limited land resources and existing infrastructure and assist low and moderate-income homeowners with ...
Unincorporated Nevada County allows small detached sheds without a building permit. One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 sq ft are unlimited in number, and structures up to 200 sq ft (no electrical, plumbing or mechanical, not for habitation) are permit-exempt at one per parcel. All exempt sheds must still meet zoning setbacks.
Nevada County Land Use and Development Code, Sec. 14.02.050
EXEMPTED WORK: Section 14.02.050, Land Use and Development Code, Work Exempt from a Permit. A Building Permit shall not be required for the following: One-story detached accessory structures without electrical, mechanical or plumbing not intended for habitation provided the projected floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, with a maximum of 2 (two) foot eaves. One structure per parcel. Must...
Converting an existing garage into an ADU in unincorporated Nevada County is handled ministerially under California ADU Law. No replacement parking may be required when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is converted, and conversions within the existing footprint are not subject to new setbacks.
Nevada County Land Use and Development Code, Sec. 12.03.191(C)(1)
C. Standards. An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall be ministerially permitted, regardless of minimum parcel size and zoning densities, on all parcels where residential uses are permitted by-right or by conditional use, subject to zoning compliance and building permit issuance and the following standards: 1. Accessory dwelling units may be a conventionally on-site c...
Carports are treated as detached accessory structures under unincorporated Nevada County zoning and must meet the setbacks and standards of the parcel's zoning district. Small open structures may fall under building-permit exemptions, and California ADU Law bars the County from requiring replacement parking when a carport is converted to an ADU.
Unincorporated Nevada County adopted Ordinance ORD24-2 (Board action Jan. 14, 2025) amending Title 12 to allow Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) up to 400 sq ft as permanent dwellings. THOWs and ADUs are ministerially permitted in RA, R1, R2, AE, AG, FR, and TPZ zoning districts, subject to building permit and zoning compliance.
Nevada County Land Use and Development Code, Sec. 12.03.310
Dwelling, Tiny Home on Wheels (THOWs) - A separate, independent dwelling unit for one or more persons that is no larger than 400 gross square feet, excluding loft area space defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18033; includes basic functional areas that support normal daily routines, including a bathroom, a kitchen, and a sleeping area; is built upon a single chassis and mounte...
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