Accessory Structures in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(B)(1), (D)(1)-(3)

Only one accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit are allowed per legal lot... D.Detached Accessory Dwelling Units...1.Shall have a maximum floor area not exceeding 1,200 square feet.2.Shall be setback at least four feet from side and rear lot lines, and shall be subject to the same front yard setback as the primary residence...3.Shall not exceed 16 feet in height if the d...

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(F)(4)

Owner-occupancy of one unit is required in any single-family residence that contains a junior accessory dwelling unit. The owner may reside in either the single-family residence or the junior accessory dwelling unit. Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(B)(5)

5.Accessory dwelling units shall not be rented for terms shorter than 30 days.C.Attached Accessory Dwelling Units. An attached accessory dwelling unit is a standard accessory dwelling unit that shares a roof, a foundation, and a common wall of at least eight horizontal feet with the primary residence. It also includes a dwelling unit located entirely within the living area of the primary reside...

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.20.020

Detached accessory buildings in all R1, R1E, RHS, R1S, R3S, R2 districts, and A1 districts within urban service areas are subject to all of the following regulations:1.Height shall not exceed 12 feet and is limited to no more than one story... In no case may the ridge height exceed 16 feet...5.Rear yard coverage of detached accessory buildings shall not cumulatively exceed 30 percent.

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(H)(1)

A setback non-conforming detached garage or other accessory building, constructed with a final inspection prior to January 1, 2017, may be rebuilt or converted into an accessory dwelling unit and no additional setback shall be required. An expansion of no more than 150 square feet beyond the same physical dimension of a setback non-conforming accessory building shall be permitted, so long as th...

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.015(E)

E.Movable Tiny Homes. Movable tiny homes are subject to all of the following provisions:1.Shall adhere to all setback, height, and floor area limitations pursuant to Section 4.10.015(D).2.Shall be a self-contained unit that complies with all State of California requirements, is constructed in compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 standard, and is licensed and regist...